Newbie questions continue

Chachiboy · Oct 5, 2019

Since I have no time this weekend to tinker with my bike I have another random newbie question as I stare at it. The previous owner took off the stock mufflers, made it I to a straight pipe and wrapped it up from end to end. I am not loving the look - looks to long to me.

He provided me the original mufflers in case I ever want to put them back on, but indicated to me that they will MUCH louder then now it is now. Are the originals that loud? Would it be worth putting them back on?

Also, if I were to cut the existing pipe (see line in pic) to shorten overall length, will it affect the sound and or performance on any way?

5twins · Oct 5, 2019

It may not be that easy to put the original mufflers back on. The original Special exhaust was one piece, headpipe and muffler welded together. That means the original mufflers had to be sawed off. If you could manage to get them back together some how, it shouldn't be louder, it should be much quieter. Personally, I wouldn't bother, I'd look for some aftermarket slip-on mufflers. And yes, I agree, I'd lose the wrapped pipe and the straight pipe. Straight pipes are also called "drag" pipes because that's pretty much what they are for, drag racing. They sacrifice low and midrange power but can give a top end, high RPM boost. Thing is, we don't ride much in that engine range. Most of your riding is done in the low to midrange.

Chachiboy · Oct 5, 2019

5twins said:
It may not be that easy to put the original mufflers back on. The original Special exhaust was one piece, headpipe and muffler welded together. That means the original mufflers had to be sawed off. If you could manage to get them back together some how, it shouldn't be louder, it should be much quieter. Personally, I wouldn't bother, I'd look for some aftermarket slip-on mufflers. And yes, I agree, I'd lose the wrapped pipe and the straight pipe. Straight pipes are also called "drag" pipes because that's pretty much what they are for, drag racing. They sacrifice low and midrange power but can give a top end, high RPM boost. Thing is, we don't ride much in that engine range. Most of your riding is done in the low to midrange.

Great info. Any recommended aftermarket mufflers you can recommend? I like the look of "shortened" mufflers - those that don't stretch too far back. Looking for a midrange rumble and not loudest on the block. Any recommendations?

member28833 · Oct 5, 2019

Recently, a member mentioned how easily original stock Harley Sportster mufflers could be found. Those are often taken off and replaced for custom exhausts. Apparently the inlet diameter is of suitable size for XS650 head pipes. Those may make an easy temporary or long term solution.

Chachiboy · Oct 5, 2019

Machine said:
Recently, a member mentioned how easily original stock Harley Sportster mufflers could be found. Those are often taken off and replaced for custom exhausts. Apparently the inlet diameter is of suitable size for XS650 head pipes. Those may make an easy temporary or long term solution.

Thanks for the recommendation. I will do some research on it and see if there are some available

fredintoon · Oct 5, 2019

Chachiboy said:
Since I have no time this weekend to tinker with my bike I have another random newbie question as I stare at it. The previous owner took off the stock mufflers, made it I to a straight pipe and wrapped it up from end to end. I am not loving the look - looks to long to me.
He provided me the original mufflers in case I ever want to put them back on, but indicated to me that they will MUCH louder then now it is now. Are the originals that loud? Would it be worth putting them back on?
Also, if I were to cut the existing pipe (see line in pic) to shorten overall length, will it affect the sound and or performance on any way?

Hi Chachi,
I'd say unwrap that exhaust and check if the pipes are from the original dual wall system and to which of it's tubes the dreaded PO grafted on the extensions.
Note that the stock system's inner pipes carry the exhaust, the outer pipes are there so the system's chrome don't go blue.

5twins · Oct 5, 2019

Yes, you can't clamp slip-on mufflers to the outer pipe, the exhaust will sputter out it's vent holes. You have to connect the muffler to the inner pipe and for that, you'll need an adapter. Details are here, see post #19 .....

http://www.xs650.com/threads/after-market-exhaust.276/

MaxPete · Oct 5, 2019

Machine said:
Recently, a member mentioned how easily original stock Harley Sportster mufflers could be found. Those are often taken off and replaced for custom exhausts. Apparently the inlet diameter is of suitable size for XS650 head pipes. Those may make an easy temporary or long term solution.

Lakeview says that finding H-D Sportster mufflers is easy and cheap because the Harley crowd usually goes for louder aftermarket pipes.

He scored 4 of them today at a swap meet for only a few dozen do.lars.

Pete

Chachiboy · Oct 6, 2019

MaxPete said:
Lakeview says that finding H-D Sportster mufflers is easy and cheap because the Harley crowd usually goes for louder aftermarket pipes.

He scored 4 of them today at a swap meet for only a few dozen do.lars.

Pete

So I found some locally that are for $30...
2008 Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200 mufflers. If I get an adapter, these should fit?

fredintoon · Oct 6, 2019

Chachiboy said:
So I found some locally that are for $30...
2008 Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200 mufflers. If I get an adapter, these should fit?

Hi Chachi,
sure they'll fit. They'll even look good. Cut the pipes back to the required length and bolt 'em on. & make sure they are properly supported
But first go back to post #6 and research WTF the dreaded PO did to those pipes, eh?

Chachiboy · Oct 6, 2019

fredintoon said:
Hi Chachi,
sure they'll fit. They'll even look good. Cut the pipes back to the required length and bolt 'em on. & make sure they are properly supported
But first go back to post #6 and research WTF the dreaded PO did to those pipes, eh?

Thanks for confirming! . Yes my plan is to unwrap to see what's under there....

59Tebo · Oct 6, 2019

It'll look a lot better than "The Mummy's Revenge" that's on there now! :yikes:

Fer shure.
I've compared the earlier, more angular pipes, to the later, "curvier" pipes. Did momma Yama do that for better flow? Emissions? Cheaper to make? I was never really crazy about the later design. It just looks like it doesn't really fit. Like it doesn't follow the contours of the frame...

5twins · Oct 6, 2019

"The Mummy's Revenge", I like that. From now on we should call all the wrapped pipes we see that, lol. While you're holding "the ugly stick", might as well take another swing and install buckhorn bars, lol.

MaxPete · Oct 6, 2019

...and a set of skulls hanging the mirrors plus a decal of a chesty girl with flames shooting out of her ...ears.

Chachiboy · Oct 6, 2019

Just bought the Sportsters to replace the mummy's revenge . I am glad I am not the only one that thought they looks odd

Raymond · Oct 7, 2019

The mummy's revenge - I love that! Wrapping the exhausts seems to be obligatory for hipsters' rides these days.

Chachiboy · Oct 10, 2019

Sportsters arrived... What is this hole...

5twins · Oct 10, 2019

That's for a crossover pipe. You'll probably just want to plug it up somehow.

59Tebo · Oct 10, 2019

Cross-over pipe? Dunno if you can weld a patch over it, and not have it show...

59Tebo · Oct 10, 2019

Ya beat me to the punch, 5T!

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