Home made exhaust

[mack]

Hey guys, I've been looking for an exhaust for my 550 for a little while. When I come across one, it's poc that someone wants a 100 bucks for so I decided just to try to make one. I haven't decided if I want a 2-1 style or a 4-1 setup. Any suggestions as to which style (4-1 or 2-1), or which cylinders to pair up for the 2-1 system?

Mack

[Planecrazy]

If the mufflers are shot but the pipes are decent there are several options. Some people buy universal replacements from places like JC Whitney, but several have taken advantage of a little known Harley dealership problem ... that most HD owners have the dealer remove the stock mufflers and convert the bikes to louder alternatives before the bike ever leaves the dealer. The result is that many dealerships have literally stacks of unwanted stock mufflers, and if you ask nicely they will often just GIVE them to you (some dealers actually throw them away)!

I walked into my local Harley dealership and walked out with two brand new unused FLH mufflers. In retrospect I should have asked for some smaller ones, and could probably go back and get some if I so desired. Give it a whirl ... some flange adapters will have you riding with new pipes in no time!

Regards,

[Mark M]

Hey guys, I've been looking for an exhaust for my 550 for a little while. When I come across one, it's poc that someone wants a 100 bucks for so I decided just to try to make one. I haven't decided if I want a 2-1 style or a 4-1 setup. Any suggestions as to which style (4-1 or 2-1), or which cylinders to pair up for the 2-1 system?

Mack

Well, if you want to go there here is my opinion... The following assumes optimum (or at least very close) primary lengths and diameter, compatability with cams and carburation, etc.

4-1 will make the most peak torque and hp. It will also have a hole in the torque curve at about 1/2 the tuning rpm. You can work around this with a megaphone tailpipe, but this adds more work.

4-2-1 will make the smoothest torque curve, but lower peak torque and hp. You pair #1 and #2, #3 and #4 for this style of header.

It is often easier to get equal length primary tubes on the 4-2-1 than the 4-1. Yes, equal length is extremely important if you want good performance.

If $100 is a lot to you for a pipe, don't bother building your own. You will be out many times that in the end and a huge number of hours getting it all done and working properly. You are better off to work some overtime and buy a production pipe that you know will work.

If you can simply fit some new mufflers to the existing header, as suggested by Planecrazy, it is a very good option to get a cheap, functional exhaust system on your bike.

Mark

[TheCafeKid]

Not that this would work for you..and unless you're building a ratbike/cafe on a budget, but check this out...this guy actually has a neat idea on his CB500T using flexi-pipe making a dual under tail exhaust

http://dotheton.com/index.php?topic=2195.0

[mack]

It's not the money spent, it's the rusted out pipes that you spend 3 days finding and fixing all of the holes that bothers me . I just thought it would be cool to build my own set of pipes just the way I wanted them. Thanks for the write up that's what I was looking for.
Cafe, I couldn't see any pics on that website, maybe I need to register. Thanks


Mack

[trippivot]

MAC pipes through parts unlimited is the best deal going.$250.00

2-1 x2 = #1and 4, #2and 3 will sound like a custom twin at idle and still give good midrange

2-1 x2 #1and 2, #3and4 will sound like stock good midrange


4-1 will be the best for performance all around and have a idle sound like a race bike.
4 individual open pipes is the outlaw sound I prefer

[Planecrazy]

MAC pipes through parts unlimited is the best deal going.$250.00

How do MAC pipes for $250 beat HD pipes for free (or almost free if you count the adapters necessary to make them work)? ;-)

Keep in mind that no matter how one does it there will probably be re-jet issues.

Regards,

[mack]

The Harley pipes will probably leave oil spots under your bike :grin:lol

Mack

[Planecrazy]

The Harley pipes will probably leave oil spots under your bike :grin:lol

Mack

(It's a little known fact that they're pre-filled before leaving the factory - shhhhhh ... don't tell anyone!) ;-)