GS750 V&H pipe installation issues...

[Guest]

Bought a V&H 4:1 pipe for my 1978 GS750 about 8 years ago (standard full system,not the drag pipe). Sadly just got around to installing it (I know,right?). Unfortunately, while the header section fit easily, the megaphone will not line up with the original pipe mount on the right side-the hole in the megaphone bracket is about 2 inches aft of where it needs to be. The triangular frame loop that the original right side exhaust mounted to (as well as the passenger peg on that side) interferes with the installation such that the megaphone looking a bit funny and will likely decrease ground clearance. The megaphone didn't seem like it would be compatible with the center stand either-my first though was that even if I make a little tab to connect the bracket to the frame, I'd still need to cut that loop off the frame (which seems a bit extreme at this point since that would eliminate the apparent intended mounting point as well). Is this a common problem? I've followed the admittedly scant directions and can think of no solutions. Internet searches have shown the odd complaints that the V&H logo was upside down on otherwise easily fitted pipes but I don't think that's my issue (I'm not putting the meg on upside down). My GS resources search mentions no issues with V&H pipe installations (that i've found) either.

It occurs to me then that Dennis Kirk probably sent me the wrong pipe, however I'm unsure of how to identify the model (paper work and email receipts long gone). Does anyone know if is there a number or code stamped on it somewhere or other method for ID-ing the model so I can sell it? rumor has it calling V&H isn't super helpful...

Oh...and before it comes to that, does anyone have a useful photo of a successfully installed V&H pipe on a 2 valve 750? My recent google searches show such photos to be vanishingly rare.

TIA,
-Willycrash

[willycrash]

called V&H to see f they could ID this pipe which is probably not for my GS750...sadly, the millennial (or worse, a millennial Harley rider?) who answered the phone told me that "we wouldn't have any information on an a bike that old." I suggested that the pipe was still for sale online from multiple sources. He said "must be old stock." I said "your website still shows the pipe as in stock. "He replied..."Oh"...and then " looking at the catalog it looks like we still have 80 or 90 of them...must be leftovers." Eventually we were able to ascertain that the dot matrix number on the muffler flange for the 1977-1979 GS750 should be S545RC while the muffler for the pipe Dennis Kirk sold me for that bike is marked S505RC (RC for Russ Collins?). Further inquiry into the possibility that it might fit some other Suzuki of the era was met with the same "we wouldn't have information for a bike that old" circular logic although before I gave up in defeat we were able to determine that a 1978 GS1000 muffler would have been marked S520RC. AAARG!

[gsrick]

After doing some searching the S505RC is the PN for the '84-87 GSX1100.

http://motospeed.com/vhr/VHR-megafon-till-12001-84-gsx1100-84-87-50.0.1525.2

[GSXR7ED]

Wow!

8 years till install? You are making me feel good.

I bought my V&H/4-1 pipes back in early 2014 and had them installed within a couple of weeks of their arrival. Fortunately for me, Mr Bill was eager to help me install the pipes as well as progressive rear shocks. Changing out the main jets was also done which made the pipes operate correctly.

Sounds like talking to millennials has been challenging. Hopefully, you get things resolved and move forward with your new pipes!


Ed

[willycrash]

"After doing some searching the S505RC is the PN for the '84-87 GSX1100.
http://motospeed.com/vhr/VHR-megafon...87-50.0.1525.2"

gsrick, you rock! thanks so much. looking at V&H's site I was only seeing part numbers for the complete systems. I'm wondering if the header section is correct and I just got the wrong can since the header fits well (although it seems to hang low enough below the motor that I have to wonder if the front wheel might hit it under full fork compression). I clearly need to sell this thing to someone and buy the correct pipe, and at least i'm a bit clearer on who to sell it to.

[willycrash]

yeah...I'm a little slow sometimes. the stock pipes finally got a rust hole in one side and one of the vintage S&W shock started sticking in the compressed position so had to actually do some work on an otherwise very reliable, nearly stock machine. in my defense my two MX bikes, my touring bike and my track bike plus another project or two kept me pretty busy over that 8 years

[mrbill5491]

called V&H to see f they could ID this pipe which is probably not for my GS750...sadly, the millennial (or worse, a millennial Harley rider?) who answered the phone told me that "we wouldn't have any information on an a bike that old." I suggested that the pipe was still for sale online from multiple sources. He said "must be old stock." I said "your website still shows the pipe as in stock. "He replied..."Oh"...and then " looking at the catalog it looks like we still have 80 or 90 of them...must be leftovers." Eventually we were able to ascertain that the dot matrix number on the muffler flange for the 1977-1979 GS750 should be S545RC while the muffler for the pipe Dennis Kirk sold me for that bike is marked S505RC (RC for Russ Collins?). Further inquiry into the possibility that it might fit some other Suzuki of the era was met with the same "we wouldn't have information for a bike that old" circular logic although before I gave up in defeat we were able to determine that a 1978 GS1000 muffler would have been marked S520RC. AAARG!

I have a RC pipe on my 80 GS750E. Still on it too, 30 some years old.

[salty_monk]

I think with a lot of the older V&H stuff the only difference is an add-on bracket to allow you to fit the muffler to the frame. Make your own... that's what I've done a few times.

[willycrash]

"I think with a lot of the older V&H stuff the only difference is an add-on bracket to allow you to fit the muffler to the frame. Make your own... that's what I've done a few times."

I've looked at doing that but I'm pretty sure it's gonna fit a little weird no matter what I do. it actually seems to be the most tucked in if I rotate the megaphone a bit and line up the center stand stop bracket for making a attachment strap instead of the actual mounting flange. Otherwise, cutting a bit off the down river side of the header looks like it might be helpful....or I could cut off the part of the frame that holds passenger peg and make the Steve Mclaughlin replica i've always wanted . because the head pipe does seem to hang low and forward of what I'd expect and since I've been wanting stiffer fork springs,
I'm going to order some and while I have the old springs out, I'll drop the front end and make sure the front wheel doesn't touch the head pipe before I do any permanent mods to the bike or megaphone.

[chuck hahn]

Get some 1/8 inch thick X 1 inch wide cold rolled steel from Home Depot and make hanger adjusters...

[GSXR7ED]

I have successfully installed my pipes on a 16V/750 (T). It lined up perfect on the rear foot pegs slot. The set up came with a metal piece to keep the center stand from hitting the chain.

Did you happen to take any pictures?


Ed

[GSXR7ED]

V&H Pipes!

I hope you don't mind pics of my set-up...











You can also view my thread here if interested starting at post 132:

https://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?216696-82GS750T-Seal-T-M-Gear-Shift-Oil/page4

Ed

[willycrash]

Get some 1/8 inch thick X 1 inch wide cold rolled steel from Home Depot and make hanger adjusters...

looking at the above pictures of the 16Valve bike and pics from the catalog it would appear that my megaphone lacks the second weld that changes the angle (after the weld at the flange end flange) that helps tuck the pipe in. the GS1100 meg that Dennis Kirk sent w/ the header simply won't work without reducing ground clearance (and looking really dumb). As I mentioned below, it might work if I cut off the part of the frame that the right passenger peg and pipe are supposed to be attacked to. Not gonna do it! not coming up with a domestic (US) purveyor that sells just the meg but will take some sedatives, meditate for a bit and then try calling the twits that answer the phone at V&H and see if they will sell me just the correct megaphone rather than a whole new system (ebay shows no used megs for my bike either).