Replacing Mufflers on 79 Special

[unicorncomputer]

Next repair / Modification that I want to do on my 79 XS1100 Special is to change the mufflers.

They are still stock mufflers although not from this bike. They have a serial number stamped in them, but it doesn't match mine.

I was thinking about getting a muffler that has a little more HD sound but not god awful loud.

Does anybody have any suggestions and / or sources?

Will I have to do any other mods to make them fit?

Thank you,

Steve

[DGXSER]

The number stamped in the exhaust is a part number, and not a serial number. On the specials they all have the 3H3 part number, each sides number is different as well.

Why do you want to change the exhaust is a key question to answering what you might want to change it to. If your exhaust system is rusted out to the point it has holes in it, I can see changing it out. Believe it or not, the least obtainable part on these bikes anymore is the exhaust system. So the stock system you have is no longer available. Most people have found that the stock system gives the best overall performance. Whatever you change it out to may gain you a little power on top or bottom end, but you will lose on the other. The stock exhaust gives the best complete power throughout the engines performance range.

Your bike is an inline four cylinder engine, it will never sound like a Harley thumper V-twin engine. However, if your after a little louder sound, this can be achieved. And when you remove that crappy old useless stock exhaust, I will let you ship it to me....just to get it out of your way.

[natemoen]

No one makes exhausts for these anymore (unless you want to pay $800-$1800) there are a few MAC exhausts on ebay for under $400 and they have a louder deeper tone to It. Whatever you do, DO NOT cut up that stock exhaust. Sell it or trade it to someone for a different exhaust.

[unicorncomputer]

The left side does have a good size(1.5 - 2 inch) hole in it and the other side has a small hole starting in it.

What are my choices for exhaust out there? The main headers are fine, just the mufflers in the back that have issues.

Thank you,

Steve

The number stamped in the exhaust is a part number, and not a serial number. On the specials they all have the 3H3 part number, each sides number is different as well.

Why do you want to change the exhaust is a key question to answering what you might want to change it to. If your exhaust system is rusted out to the point it has holes in it, I can see changing it out. Believe it or not, the least obtainable part on these bikes anymore is the exhaust system. So the stock system you have is no longer available. Most people have found that the stock system gives the best overall performance. Whatever you change it out to may gain you a little power on top or bottom end, but you will lose on the other. The stock exhaust gives the best complete power throughout the engines performance range.

Your bike is an inline four cylinder engine, it will never sound like a Harley thumper V-twin engine. However, if your after a little louder sound, this can be achieved. And when you remove that crappy old useless stock exhaust, I will let you ship it to me....just to get it out of your way.

[crazy steve]

If the OEM mufflers are rotting out, then don't feel bad about cutting up the stock exhaust. Here's a nice swap.... http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread...ement+mufflers ... a few posts down. Any exhaust change will cause a slight power loss as the stock exhaust really is the best-tuned setup for these bikes. Very few of the aftermarket exhausts feature the crossover either. Anything you do with the original pipes will require some fab work and/or welding, so don't expect any sort of straight bolt-on solution...

[kwats]

You're just limited by your imagination, wallet, and ability. The mufflers on my '79SF were rusted beyond repair so I cut them off, welded a short piece of pipe to match some mufflers I bought at Niche Cycle. I wanted the pipes to be level and not upswept to clear my saddlebags. After two years, I have no complaints.

[mikubuilder]

I like that look, I was always partial to long shot tubes...

very nice looking bike BTW

[unicorncomputer]

Did you remove the Center Stand? or does this setup work with it.

Thank you,

Steve

You're just limited by your imagination, wallet, and ability. The mufflers on my '79SF were rusted beyond repair so I cut them off, welded a short piece of pipe to match some mufflers I bought at Niche Cycle. I wanted the pipes to be level and not upswept to clear my saddlebags. After two years, I have no complaints.

[kwats]

I did remove the center stand, but modified it to work by extending the foot pedal about 1/2 inch. I just haven't bothered to re-install it.