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Exhaust "Equalizer"

  • Thread starter Thread starter gspower
  • Start date Start date
G

gspower

Guest
I am running stock exhaust on my GS425 and noticed that there is a pipe connecting the two sides labeled an "equalizer", as I assume it equalizes pressure between the two exhaust pipes. My issue is that the pipe is badly mangled and it would seem that it is not air tight. Are there any experienced members out there who can tell me if I can cap each side off and forget the equalizer all together? Will this lead to damage? I am in the process of painting my pipes and would like to modify them, if necessary, before reinstallation. Thanks in advance.

-GSP
 
The equalizer is not required. It smoothed out the pulses, but you don't have to have it.
 
most "V" engine cars(4-6-8-ect) all have equilizers. they help in the power band by equilizing exhaust pressures and pulses from both motor banks, or in our case, all cylinders. so it's actually kind of better to have one, but not necessary.
 
Is the H pipes required on the 81 850GL? Its in rough shape and would like to replace but other pressing issues right now.
 
smcneish said:
Is the H pipes required on the 81 850GL? Its in rough shape and would like to replace but other pressing issues right now.
Click to expand...

Two different people just explained what it does AND stated that it's not needed.
 
lemonshindig said:
Two different people just explained what it does AND stated that it's not needed.
Click to expand...

sorry to ask an apparent to you "stupid" question, but as I am new to the GS platform the original question was posed based on a 1979 GS425. I asked if this was the same case for the 1981 GS850 GL.....clearly a minor difference in the bikes. Thanks for the answer non the less.
 
It is not a stupid question.
For our GS motorcycles, it is a nice to have if, for nothing else, it keeps the bike in original condition. However, if you find that you will be better off without it, you can remove it and block off the pipes.
Hope this helps.
 
smcneish said:
Is the H pipes required on the 81 850GL? Its in rough shape and would like to replace but other pressing issues right now.
Click to expand...

smcneish said:
sorry to ask an apparent to you "stupid" question, but as I am new to the GS platform the original question was posed based on a 1979 GS425. I asked if this was the same case for the 1981 GS850 GL.....clearly a minor difference in the bikes. Thanks for the answer non the less.
Click to expand...

The equalizer (or cross over) tubes are never needed, but they do help a bit with some types of exhaust systems. If you have bigger problems then worry about them first and get to the exhaust when you can.


Mark
 
And here is how to get rid of the H pipe on your 850:
Find some 1 1/2" exhaust pipe. I found mine at Auto Zone (but they only had one piece, so had to go to another store). I have also gone to an exhaust shop, when helping someone else with this. Have one end expanded a bit so you can slide another pipe into it, then cut four slots at least one inch long around the expanded end. Cut the pipes to 7" length.

IMG_3437.jpg



Use the stock gaskets and clamps to attach the new pipes to your #2 and #3 header pipes.

IMG_3445.jpg



Put the system back together, enjoy the quieter ride.


Here is why I had to do mine:
IMG_3428.jpg


IMG_3429.jpg


.
 
Yes and thanks... steve that is about how it looks for me and thanks for the info n getting it done. thanks for the more helpful responses like I said earlier I have no clue how similar and how different each model of the GS is(yet). Just wanted to verify thanks folks.

koolaid_kid said:
It is not a stupid question.
For our GS motorcycles, it is a nice to have if, for nothing else, it keeps the bike in original condition. However, if you find that you will be better off without it, you can remove it and block off the pipes.
Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
 
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Now that I know what the h-pipe looks like on the gs series, you might have been able to go with an x-pipe cross over, which would produce a better yield in power, driveability, and potentially fuel economy.
 
60ratrod said:
Now that I know what the h-pipe looks like on the gs series, you might have been able to go with an x-pipe cross over, which would produce a better yield in power, driveability, and potentially fuel economy.
Click to expand...

Don't go by the pictures that I posted. The 850 is the only one that I know of that has an H-pipe like that.

All of the others I have seen were simple pipes that were between header pipes 2&3. To make it even more interesting, some of them are welded in place, making the #2 and #3 header pipe a single assembly, while others have a slip-joint between them.

The only consistency in the GS exhaust systems is that they are all different.

.
 
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Thanks Kool_Aid, Steve, etc. I have a slip pipe on the 425. Either my pipes aren't true or the equalizer pipe is mangled because I'm leaking through that area. Very loud. I'll have to cap them off either way, I think. Any suggestions on the most effective way to do that?
 
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Are the pipes damaged or is it possibly just the gasket?

There is a replaceable gasket that fits in the slip joint. If it is missing, there will be a noticeable increase in the noise.

.
 
Steve said:
..........
...............
Here is why I had to do mine:
IMG_3428.jpg

.
Click to expand...

I have a fairly good one of those laying around. For/From 850G. I don't recall why it is that I have one.

The gaskets mentioned above are called "connectors" on microfisch, and not shown well.
Mine had to be pryed/cut/chipped out like they were hard ceramic or asbestos or something. New ones are wire mesh.
Bass Cliff site has tutorial of pictures I sent him about those.

.
 
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if it's leaking like crazy there, then yeah the gaskets are more than likely shot. i recommend trying to replace the gaskets rather than capping off the sides, because the bike will run better due to better exhaust scavenging from equilizing the exhaust pulses.
 
60ratrod said:
i recommend trying to replace the gaskets rather than capping off the sides, because the bike will run better due to better exhaust scavenging from equilizing the exhaust pulses.
Click to expand...

Sorry, but this does not make any sense to me. :-k

If it were a crossover or 'equalizer' between the two sides just ahead of the mufflers, it might make sense, but these 'equalizers' are only between cylinders 2 and 3. Whether the 'equalizer' is there or not, the exhaust flow from cylinders 1 and 4 is unchanged, so why would changing the 'equalization' between cylinders 2 and 3 make that much of a difference.

My personal opinion is that the crossover is there merely to change the sound that comes out the back. Instead of hearing two firing impluses from the left pipe, then two impluses from the right pipe, it softens the blow a bit by directing some of the flow.

Listening to the output of the pipeS (with the crossover), you would hear:
(Left side) .................. (Right side)
BANG (as #1 fires)
BANG ..(as #2 fires) BANG
nothing (as #4 fires) BANG
BANG ..(as #3 fires) BANG
BANG (as #1 fires)
BANG...(as #2 fires) BANG
nothing (as #4 fires) BANG
BANG ..(as #3 fires) BANG

That sounds just a little different than
BANG (as #1 fires)
BANG (as #2 fires)
BANG (as #4 fires) BANG
BANG (as #3 fires) BANG
BANG (as #1 fires)
BANG (as #2 fires)
BANG (as #4 fires) BANG
BANG (as #3 fires) BANG

Just my opinion, but you are certainly entitled to it.

.
 
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No sir. 1 & 2 are equalized at the collector, as are 3 & 4. The two half-systems are equalized by the H-pipe between 2 & 3. It changes more than the sound.
 
lemonshindig said:
No sir. 1 & 2 are equalized at the collector, as are 3 & 4. The two half-systems are equalized by the H-pipe between 2 & 3. It changes more than the sound.
Click to expand...

I will respectfully disagree with you.

1&2 might be "equalized" at the collector, but 2&3 are joined quite a way before that, so you are not really adding #1 or #4 to the "equalization" at all. If the two sides were joined with an "H" pipe after the two collectors, I would heartily agree. In this case, though, I will hardly agree.

.
 
Steve said:
I will respectfully disagree with you.

1&2 might be "equalized" at the collector, but 2&3 are joined quite a way before that, so you are not really adding #1 or #4 to the "equalization" at all. If the two sides were joined with an "H" pipe after the two collectors, I would heartily agree. In this case, though, I will hardly agree.

.
Click to expand...

I see what you did there.... :congratulatory:
 
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