Beating a dead horse..

[revanoff2]

Been doing a ton of searching, researching, and then re-searching.

Haven't been able to come up a good answer yet.

I have factory pipes on my bike (3H5) that are in pretty good shape. I would like more tone out of my exhaust, and slightly louder wouldn't be too bad either.

I've heard of people drilling some 1/4" holes in the back area of the pipe, and I've seen others who would probably slap the stupid out of me for doing so.

So here's what I'm after:

I would be more than happy to pull the current mufflers off and sell them (since apparently in good shape are made of unobtanium). What I'd like to do is try the Harley pipes I've heard of. The best possible situation for me would be to trade someone (in person) the pipes so I can get the new ones back on my bike (since I ride it as a daily) the same day.

I have the tools to cut/weld, make brakets, etc.

I don't even care about getting much $$$ out of the stock pipes, I'd be happy trading straight across. I certainly do not want to have to make Jetting changes, or anything else. This bike is almost as stock as stock gets, and all I want to change is the mufflers.

Is there anyone that can oblige?

Thank you,
~Revanoff2~

[trbig]

Since the 3h5 mufflers are welded to the collectors, you're going to ruin them by cutting them off. They are double walled and you'll never be able to weld both layers back up.

Why not get a MAC aftermarket system with a megaphone? I had to drill out the back end of the mufflers to put a 3h5 system on my XJ. I've tried two different ones on it and for some reason they don't breathe right for my bike. The two holes drilled out makes it sound like crap in my opinion.. Not loud or throaty, just a "pfffft" sound. Just something I had to do to make the bike run right, but always hated it.

I'd love to have the intact system you have if you decide to go a different way. My '81 really needs a good system. I've got a Jardine spaghetti 4-1 with a megaphone that is not too bad of shape, but one pipe has a ding in it.

[MarkD]

Throwing an idea out there. I am considering a different exhaust-- a quieter more stock look. I am running this set-up on the photobucket page. Try the Funfan73 page. I'll try to see if it's up.


http://s1282.photobucket.com/user/FU...?sort=3&page=1


It's the bell style with the chrome tips.

[crazy steve]

Well, the first thing you should know is almost any exhaust changes you might make will have a negative impact on performance. With the exception of a very few long-unavailable 4-1 aftermarket systems, the OEM exhaust will outperform pretty much anything else out there.

So I take it you're trying to do this on the cheap; I'd recommend trying to find a set of good 'standard' head pipes/collectors as these are a bit easier to 'adapt' other mufflers to because of the transition between the collectors and the mufflers. Keep in mind that Harley mufflers on a Yamaha won't give you 'Harley sound'...

If you are willing to expand the budget, here's probably the nicest 'home-brew' exhaust that's shown up here...
http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread...muffler&page=3
Starting at post 42, Mashermoto goes through how he fitted a set of SuperTrapp mufflers to some MAC head pipes. The MAC pipes have the collector further back than most, but are larger diameter than the typical motorcycle muffler. The SuperTrapps can be 'tuned', another advantage. If I was determined to do something different from OEM, this is the direction I'd try....

[soccer4m]

Try the Harley muffs

Howdy Revanoff,,,you should try the Harley Dyan mufflers for a more growly sound. I put a set on a xs1100 and it sounded great, but since have sold that bike. I used Planedick's advice on the Harley Mufflers and if you do a search his name and advice on the Harley muffs should show up. I believe it was off the Dyna models and they bolted right on with a fabricated strap hangar. THere are tons of the Dyna Harley muffs either on Craigslist or Ebay. I cut off the old muff right before the crossover and the Harleys bolted right on with a Harley muff clamp. The sound is great, but I lost a little bottom end torque. THe stock mufflers are the best for performance, bar none, but the sound of the Harley Dyna muffs is extremely pleasing............Good luck,,,,Mike in SUn DIego

[soccer4m]

Almost forgot

Almost forgot,,,you might want to get a set of headers for you bike and just add the Harley Dyna mufflers and try them out so you dont regret changing the stock exhause. So, buy a set of headers, pipes or junk set of pipes and cut off the old mufflers where you need to and try out the Harleys first and then you can always change back if needed.............Mike

[revanoff2]

If cutting them off there ruins them, then I guess it puts that idea right out.

I'm certainly not looking to recreate the Harley sound , I tried that the super cheap way on my old 650 and it drove me up the wall.

The reason for suspecting the Harley pipes as a reasonable alternative is that they would be a cheaper option: Purchase, install and tuning. The way I understand it is that they don't relieve much back pressure, thus keeping tuning to a minimum.

I would like to keep the cross-over tube to eliminate any performance loss. Personally speaking, I can tell exactly when the engine gets to the power range, and I'd like to keep as much of what little power it has in the bottom end as possible. I don't need all out power with this thing

Perhaps the best way to do this would be to try and figure out (for me) how to build a useful cross over with a different set of mufflers. I'm a very visual and hands-on learner, so if someone were able to show me I would understand better/faster.

The issue with finding another set of pipes and modifying them to fit is the slim to none availability of them in my area, and I don't really want to fork out for a whole new set just to mess them up. The set I have is supposed to finance the new set!! lol

I wouldn't be totally against removing the entire system and replacing it, but I would need guidance on building the cross-over to be at least somewhat effective to keep my strict standards up.

[natemoen]

If the second pic you have in this thread, then those are not stock pipes.

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=41793

[motoman]

+1.......looks like already HDed.

[D0wn5h1ft]

I run dual mac headers with straight pipes just fine. Sounds great and looks even better.

[BA80]

I run dual mac headers with straight pipes just fine. Sounds great and looks even better.

LOUD!

[BA80]

If cutting them off there ruins them, then I guess it puts that idea right out.

I'm certainly not looking to recreate the Harley sound , I tried that the super cheap way on my old 650 and it drove me up the wall.

The reason for suspecting the Harley pipes as a reasonable alternative is that they would be a cheaper option: Purchase, install and tuning. The way I understand it is that they don't relieve much back pressure, thus keeping tuning to a minimum.

I would like to keep the cross-over tube to eliminate any performance loss. Personally speaking, I can tell exactly when the engine gets to the power range, and I'd like to keep as much of what little power it has in the bottom end as possible. I don't need all out power with this thing

Perhaps the best way to do this would be to try and figure out (for me) how to build a useful cross over with a different set of mufflers. I'm a very visual and hands-on learner, so if someone were able to show me I would understand better/faster.

The issue with finding another set of pipes and modifying them to fit is the slim to none availability of them in my area, and I don't really want to fork out for a whole new set just to mess them up. The set I have is supposed to finance the new set!! lol

I wouldn't be totally against removing the entire system and replacing it, but I would need guidance on building the cross-over to be at least somewhat effective to keep my strict standards up.

If the second pic you have in this thread, then those are not stock pipes.

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=41793

If those are the pipes you have on you bike in that second pic like Nate says, that is a Mac 4 into 2 with taper tip mufflers. I had the taper tips on mine for a while and I agree, they are TOO quiet.

If you click on the links in my signature you'll see I have the Mac system the same as yours but with the turn outs. They sound much better.

They are easy to change out and every now and then they will pop up on ebay. The flare tip muffs fall somewhere in between the tapers and the turn outs.

They are a 2 1/4" inlet.

[crazy steve]

If the second pic you have in this thread, then those are not stock pipes.

Nope, not stock. Looks like MACs with maybe a different muffler fitted. But the mufflers do look like they're removable, so you have options...

[mack]

headers

I have a set of headers here from a stock set that were cut off. I bought them for a fall back but don't need them. You can graft on what ever you like. $20.00 plus shipping. PM if your interested. I can take a picture but I'm having trouble with my PB right now.

[MPittma100]

Dead Horse

Looks like your best bet to change your sound is to go with another complete exhaust system. Two things will happen as a result - performance will drop off and you will lessen the value of the bike. If you do change it out, I strongly recommend that you keep the original set to sell with the bike later on.

I have bought a few bikes that the PO had changed the exhaust and not kept the original - Bummer!