Clip on muffler or full exhaust system?

[Guest]

I've got a 1982 gs850 gl, and I need/want to replace the mufflers. One side is damaged beyond repair, and I've got my eye on a set of replacements on dime city cycles. But, today I was looking at my bike, checking measurements and whatnot and I noticed some excessive rust around the couplings on the south end of the middle to exhaust graders. Checked some more to see if I could see a leak, and sure enough, there was. So, my question here Is would it be more worth it to go ahead with the clip on mufflers, and try to patch the leak, or should I just go for broke and try to go with a whole new system? Which, since I want to stick with the 2 into 4 seems borderline impossible..

https://goo.gl/photos/gYzbLQCuhTLfWCdRA

[phydeauxmutt]

...I noticed some excessive rust around the couplings on the south end of the middle to exhaust graders.

Sorry, but I am going to need a translation here.

[Buffalo Bill]

You can take it off, wire brush the rust off and have the weak places welded closed. Then go on with your 4>2 plans.
You might ask for a used 4>2 system here on this forum.
I prefer 4>2 myself.

[almarconi]

Your best bet is a solid used original exhaust system. A high performance exhaust system is of no use on that bike. There should be something available on ebay or from other forum members. Here is a nice solid set http://www.ebay.com/itm/1982-1981-19...xW54EE&vxp=mtr

[greg78gs750]

i have had good luck with brazing rust spots, rather than welding.

[mwalter2747]

Sorry, I think I got auto corrected. I meant the exhaust headers, not graders..

[hannibal]

Your best bet is a solid used original exhaust system. A high performance exhaust system is of no use on that bike. There should be something available on ebay or from other forum members. Here is a nice solid set http://www.ebay.com/itm/1982-1981-19...xW54EE&vxp=mtr

Why do you say a high performance exhaust is useless on his bike?

[Buffalo Bill]

i have had good luck with brazing rust spots, rather than welding.

Brazing is perfect for exhaust connections.

[Phred]

I have an 81 850L and while putting the bike together, a scrap metal dealer stole the exhaust system off my back deck at 5AM one morning. Didn't realize it for a few weeks as I thought I had put it back in the shed. Anyways I ended up finding some parts at a MC junkyard , but the pipes were shot. I made a cardboard template of the angle of the pipes, cut them off and had a sleeve welded on. With some sleeves from Canadian Tire and other parts I was able to install slip on mufflers from MAC. They had a sliding mounting bracket and I was able to McGuiver them to fit. They come within a 1/4" of the rear castle nuts as they are not dimpled like the originals. I also found 2 of the chrome cover plates and had the mounting brackets spot welded on. Looks original, they sound quiet, and the baffles are removable unlike the original ones.

[almarconi]

Why do you say a high performance exhaust is useless on his bike?

IMHO the 850 is a heavy and under powered bike . It is meant to be comfortable not a high performance sport bike.