GS550 Exhaust.....

[Maddog209]

I know there isn't many options for upgrading/changing exhaust system on my 78 GS550 besides going with the very mixed reviews of MAC 4 into 1 system. I was surfing the net today and came across a company from Florida, Niche Cycle Supply, that carries MAC systems but also offers replacement mufflers for my bike...



My question is... Has anyone used these mufflers? If so, how do they sound? The company states that they have a "great" sound but that description can be very subjective. The price is very close to being equal to the 4 int 1 system. However, I am interested in retaining a more stock appearance. I'll include a link to the site. Any advise or opinions would be appreciated.

http://www.nichecycle.com/ProductDesc.aspx?code=003-0211&type=0&eq=&desc=Suzuki-GS550-Flare-Tip-Muffler-to-1980&key=it

[tkent02]

They look a lot like the old Jardines, they sounded pretty good.

[Maddog209]

They look a lot like the old Jardines, they sounded pretty good.

If memory serves me, the Jardines had a deeper tone than stock? I'm just a little nervous to shell out $300.oo only to have them sound like my stock pipes. Thanks for your imput!

[MinnesotaGS]

I have a 1979 GS550 with something similar on them. Slip-on mufflers made by "Winning Performance". Looks like the same deal as those where you retain the stock headers. They have a nice tone to them, little bit deeper than stock, little bit louder as well. Still pretty quiet though, nothing that is really going make anyone think you are riding a Harley. I did not do enough riding with them on to notice if there was any difference in performance. I doubt it would be anything drastic, if at all.

One problem I had was forming a nice connection between the mufflers and the headers. On the schematics there is a gasket that goes between the two, but I believe it was going for about $20/gasket last I check on BikeBandit. I only bought the slip-ons for around $100-150 so I wasn't really willing to spend $80 for gaskets. I ended up using metal shims to form a tight connection between the muffler and headers - not a very pretty or functional solution. Perhaps you or someone else on the forum would have a better idea.

I checked my computer and I don't have any good pictures. The bike is unfortunately half a country away from me so I can't take any. Not too hard to visualize though, looks like stock.

-Jake

[Maddog209]

I have a 1979 GS550 with something similar on them. Slip-on mufflers made by "Winning Performance". Looks like the same deal as those where you retain the stock headers. They have a nice tone to them, little bit deeper than stock, little bit louder as well. Still pretty quiet though, nothing that is really going make anyone think you are riding a Harley. I did not do enough riding with them on to notice if there was any difference in performance. I doubt it would be anything drastic, if at all.

One problem I had was forming a nice connection between the mufflers and the headers. On the schematics there is a gasket that goes between the two, but I believe it was going for about $20/gasket last I check on BikeBandit. I only bought the slip-ons for around $100-150 so I wasn't really willing to spend $80 for gaskets. I ended up using metal shims to form a tight connection between the muffler and headers - not a very pretty or functional solution. Perhaps you or someone else on the forum would have a better idea.

I checked my computer and I don't have any good pictures. The bike is unfortunately half a country away from me so I can't take any. Not too hard to visualize though, looks like stock.

-Jake

Thanks Jake! Seems like you found a pretty good price, how long ago did you buy? I'm going to research "Winning Performance" and see if they still offer the mufflers you have. I'm not too concerned with ading HP rather I am just trying to achieve a better tone while retaining a stock look. Thanks for your imput.

[MinnesotaGS]

No problem. I bought them from a member of the forum, maybe Nessism, not 100% sure. I think it was around two years ago.

I tried finding some information on them earlier tonight but did not have too much luck.

I did do a little digging on my computer and found a picture of the GS550 with them installed.

[Maddog209]

Thanks again Jake, I like the way they look. I'm going to continue to search for more info on the set that I found before shelling out the money.