Pipes off an Ultra

[scalded dog]

does the crossover really make that big of a difference.

[trbig]

On my 81 special... Apparently so. It's a dog with aftermarket mufflers off the start compared to what it was before me rolling it... errr... stock.

[Bonz]

YES!!! The crossover makes a huge difference.

I've said that from experience in previous posts above, if you want to refresh...

It is all about getting the proper pressure pulses to work with the way the engine was designed. This isn't like debating which similar engine oil works better. This is about results and experience from hundreds of guys over many many years. And I just happen to be relatively new to that experience. But I can vouch for it 100%.

[MindWebs]

Hmmm?

Hmm....

I have a set of 07 sporty (XL) mufflers here with ports for a cross over.
If Harley started installing crossover pipes then you know it does something.
And it only took Harley 30+ years to figure it out, wow new record in speed for them.

So..

Try a Harley muffler conversion with crossovers....
And have a whole new breed of cat..

[Bonz]

I know I've read on the forum in another thread or two that the Sportster pipes with the crossover can be connected fairly simply with a straight pipe between them, or very similar to that.

Should be a pretty good way to go, as I the crossover on a Special isn't much more than a straight pipe.

[CaptonZap]

I know I've read on the forum in another thread or two that the Sportster pipes with the crossover can be connected fairly simply with a straight pipe between them, or very similar to that.

.

Unfortunately, it isn't quite that simple.
If you don't want a center stand, then it will work. But the cross pipe will end up shaped like a shallow U, to miss the frame and associated parts.
And the tube would be a smaller size than what is usually available in exhaust pipe, so a tubing bender commensurate with the proper size pipe would be required.
If someone had the equipment, and would come up with a usable part, I would imagine that a run of a dozen or so could be sold to those who are looking for replacement for their rusted out stock mufflers. The HD mufflers seem to be plentiful, and if someone could "plug and play", they would be an attractive solution.
CZ

[MindWebs]

Zap you are correct that some aftermarket pipes do force you to remove the
centerstand, i am not a fan of such things...

i like metal... it can be cut and rewelded..

i was planing on cutting the muffler intakes and rotating them to a orientation that allows for keeping the centerstand

not a big deal..

i have 13" shocks on my yamaha's and both bikes run the exhaust straight back, no up-sweep on the pipes. with the factory 12" shocks i had great spark throwers when i did hard left cornering or played around flipping the bikes back and forth on a striaght road. the centerstand ground but i could still drag pipes as well.

so.. metal+electricity= corrected problems
if it doen't fit... then change it's mind, with a bigger hammer.

if you don't have the option to weld then find a welding shop around you.
it may cost a little, but well worth it in the long run

another thought, (this has been brought up before) is find a set of aftermarket exhaust for your machine, draw back is oversea's shipping can be expensive...

there are several that may still be found
http://www.benefiscal.co.uk/forum/in...p?topic=5436.0

some are still being made.
wish i had the money to get yoshi pipes.....

oh well, maybe someday..

[mharrington]

"You need an extension pipe to get the muffler behind the foot peg.
The muffler is to big to fit under there."

The oem mufflers on our bikes- on all Japanese bikes start out narrow and increase in diameter toward the exit. The irresistably cheap Harley mufflers are the same diameter along the entire case. There lies the problem. One can bash and or make an extension and it may work but installing Harley mufflers should not be considered a 1 hour easy project.

Success here. On my 1980 XS650 I had to dent in the Harley mufflers pretty far - right at the inlet to fit correctly. Fortunately the dents are hard to see because they face inward. Looks and sound good. No crossover as that would be an entire separate engineering feat. Bike runs fantasic and sound great- maybe a little quiet.




NOT a success story here. I had to really stress these Harely mufflers hard to get them into the correct position then once stressed into position I tightened all the clamps and brackets. About a month later the RH side muffler cracked at the factory weld all the way around. It did this because they were EXCESSIVELY PRE STRESSED. I did not do the bash trick- These mufflers were like brand new and I wasnt about to do such a thing. After the weld break I reinstalled the Jardine replacements. For what its worth these sporty mufflers had the catalytic converters in them and I was not able/willing to fab a crossover. Seat of the pants I noticed no performance loss. I am not a pro racer or pro tuner/builder. Thru all the gears to redline I felt no loss or degradation in performance. The sound was no better than the Jardines. (I learned here my Jardines with a crossover were a common replacement for factory rotted out mufflers back in the 1980s)

[mharrington]

In the future I would like to try one of the Emgo style mufflers. While they are not as cheap as take off Harley mufflers they taper and that will make them easier install and the proper model muffler will give my 1100 a little more bark- the complimenting kind of bark and not a blapitty annoying bark. If I go Emgos Id like to fab up a crossover as well.

[IanDMacDonald]

Nice bike! This winter I may be copying the paint scheme on the engine. However, I might try some Supertrapp Universals and see how they work. I know a few on the forum have them and love them. I am in it for the sportier sound.

[mharrington]

Nice bike! This winter I may be copying the paint scheme on the engine. However, I might try some Supertrapp Universals and see how they work. I know a few on the forum have them and love them. I am in it for the sportier sound.

The supertrapp canister is probably kind of larger in diameter. Youll just need an extension pipe to get that muffler further toward the rear where there is more clearance. Thanks for the compliments! If chrome plating were not so damn $$$$ Id get my XS1100 exhaust rechromed