Exhaust Fit on Various xs11s

[Michael March]

One thing I can't seem to find through searching, is if an exhaust will fit one xs11 it will fit all of them. Will '78-81 exhausts for all models fit my '81 midnight? I'm searching for a replacement for my smashed pipe, and while I can find which ones require removal to change oil filter or require removal of the center stand (either of which nixes those systems for me), and which won't work with factory oil coolers (which is not a problem for mine), I can't find anywhere where it confirms that any year will fit any other year. Can someone confirm this for me? Thanks-

[skids]

Re: Exhaust Fit on Various xs11s

I'll be interested in the answer. I know that 78E mufflers extended back passed the axle bolt, whereas the later specials did not.

I took a system off of an 81H and tried to install it on a 78E. The mounting bracket did not line up and I had to bolt it through the trianguler areas of the footpeg brackets. The foot peg mounts were NOT interchangable.

I bought a set of 4 into 1 Jardines that had two sizes of headpipe inlet adapters. One set of adapters was longer than the other set...I can't remember which was which.

[John]

Skids, you H model had pipes from a Special, and it also had the rear foot peg brackets from a Special. The pipes on a Standard are pretty much paralell to the ground, where as the Specials pipes are short, and upswept, and so are the foot peg brackets. The 81H was the Venturer wan't it? All the pics that I have seen of them shows the differences that I have just described.

[Dennyz]

Stock '78-'80 standard exhausts interchange, while stock '79-'81 Special exhaust interchange. I am of the opinion that '81 Standards used the same frame as the '81 Special, but I can not verify this. If it is true, then the '81 Standard would most likely take a Special exhaust, otherwise it would use the same as the other Standards.

As for after-market exhaust system, it is a crap shoot. Most after-market exhaust will fit on all models. However, I have first hand experience with Jardine 4:1 (painted) only fitting a Special, even though they claim otherwise.

Jardine 4:1 (painted) review.

The area that will give the most problem is the muffler/rear peg mounts. They are different between Standards and Specials, with different locations for the muffler mount. Most after-market system provide for this.

The Jardine 4:2 that I have on my ’79 Special will also fit on my ’79 Standard. To accommodate the differences in the mount, the mufflers hang down farther than stock. In fact, this exhaust system looks better on my Standard than it does on the Special.

[Michael March]

Could you post that link to the Jardine 4into1 review again? Do you think it will fit on an '81 Midnight Special?

[Michael March]

There's a 1980 xs1100 Special Yamaha stock exhaust on ebay, and I'm wondering if it will fit my '81 Midnight Special. Can anyone say for sure?

[Dennyz]

I can say with 99.9% certainty that an '80 Special exhaust will fit on a '81 Midnight. It just won't be black!

Jardine review link

Yes, the Jardine painted 4:1 will fit on an '81 Midnight Special.

[Michael March]

Thanks DZ. I called up Jardine in CA and they have a four into one painted left in the inventory. They are NOT making them any more. The only trouble is that they want $417.95 for it plus shipping. That's about half of what I've got into the whole bike! It looks more and more like I'll have to settle for a MAC four into two and lose out on the black. Budget rules...
Maybe my local muffler shop can fix my smashed header on the non-stock pipes that this bike came with.

[MartyA]

Just looking at some of my favorite shopping places, not too many exhausts left for XS11.

Try here:
http://www.crc2onlinecatalog.com/Index_Main_Frame.htm

Click on exhaust parts on the left. Not sure how much they have left.

[dpotter58]

I emailed a guy selling pipes on e-bay and he said a black 4 into one Mac for my '80 midnight would be $250 This is the e-mail address i cut from his mail.


johnny@delcitycycles.com

[Michael March]

Thanks. I emailed the guy from del city cycles and asked him the two questions I need "no" to: will it interfere with the oil filter removal or the center stand? I'll let you know-

[TopCatGr58]

Hey there Mike and DPotter,

Here's a quote from Dennis Kirks ad for the "CHROME" Mac 4-1 megaphone pipes, I would think they would be similar to their all black 4-1 pipes:

Product Detail

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Mac 4-into-1 Chrome Megaphone Headers
Dennis Kirk Part Number: 25531
Manufacturer Part Number: 0040301
Price: $324.99
3 on hand

Economical replacement systems for 69 thru late 80s in-line fours and Honda V-fours
High performance, lightweight and lots of ground clearance
Does not block centerstand, oil filter or drain plug access; and features removable baffles
Carburetor re-jetting may be desired for best performance

The Jardine's appear to have a nice separation between the two center pipes which extends down towards the oil filter chamber, so I would think they would allow for easy access of the filter, but don't know about the center stand issue, and they don't state anything about either in their product description!?
HTH.
T.C.

PS. Check out this link, to a MC supply company in Canada, they have pictures of all the Mac systems, and they also quote access to ALL SERVICE points and Center Stand retention!
Canadian MC parts:Mac Exhausts XS11

[Michael March]

Thanks T.C. I asked the Jardine guy specifically and he said, "there are no notes for these, and I have no idea. We are not making them any more so there is no way for me to tell." Looks like Mac is leading the pack, but there is one stock non LH for sale on Ebay that I'm thinking about...

[Dennyz]

Michael,

There is a high temp powder coat out now that might be able to turn a chrome exhaust black. I have not tried it myself, but Eastwood recommends it for exhasut systems.

I have had good luck with Krylon BBQ & Stove paint sticking to chrome and holding up. I recommend sand blasting the chrome first or sand it well with a 100 grit.