2 into 2 exhaust options

650Burger

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Hi, Figured I'd start a thread since the other exhaust threads seem kind of outdated and the prices are all changed now.
I have a xs650 with a 750 big bore kit from mikes now breathing through a 2 into 1 presumably from mike's, but that system is rusted, leaks and quite honestly I don't like its looks or sounds (Personal preference don't crucify me! )

I would like a 2 into 2 system. Not worried about performance, just bang for buck. Seems like the two options are Mike's Commando system with megaphones and Mac's 2 into 2 system.
As far as I know mike's pipe diameter is 1.5 and MAC's is 1.75. I want a good torque curve and don't plan on racing the bike, what could you suggest using? Budget is a concern so I'm not considering more expensive options.

Edit: I have a 1980 xs650 Special II
 
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Symmetry of 2 into 2 is a preference to me too on twins.
An exhaust option thread always catches my eye and input as there are really not many popular choices.
Things to consider are how loud do you prefer ? Which look do you prefer ?
I actually like the curved head pipe look of the "Special" style systems and those can be cut and re-used. I look at other mfg's muffler such as old BMW or Triumph and try to visualize adapting.
Stock 77-79 Standard is the ultimate in my own opinion but those are all nearly gone now so options must be tried and seen !
-R
 
Symmetry of 2 into 2 is a preference to me too on twins.
An exhaust option thread always catches my eye and input as there are really not many popular choices.
Things to consider are how loud do you prefer ? Which look do you prefer ?
I actually like the curved head pipe look of the "Special" style systems and those can be cut and re-used. I look at other mfg's muffler such as old BMW or Triumph and try to visualize adapting.
Stock 77-79 Standard is the ultimate in my own opinion but those are all nearly gone now so options must be tried and seen !
-R

I've been looking for a clean looking original stock exhaust with no luck since the beginning of this build... and not interested in paying 500+ for a resto.

As far as loudness I don't want the deafening sound of straight pipes but I don't really have a preference. I only want the 2 into 2 look, I love having two separate pipes.
 
Can't believe I forgot to post that... I have a 1980 xs650 Special II
Nice, so are your head pipes usable ? Cut em long as you can to re-use if that is your desire. I once found and adapted these "Bubs" Triumph mufflers which were very well made. Thick, thick chrome, rebuildable fiberglass packed ends. They were loud but had great looks and tone
:thumbsup:
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Nope, the head pipes are for the 2 into 1 and won't fit something like this. That setup looks rad!
 
1.5" headpipes are said to be about the ideal size for this motor. 1 3/4" is a bit large and may need torque or "AR" inserts up at the head to restore low end power .....

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While stock headpipes may look like 1.5" from the outside, since they're a double wall, "pipe in pipe" design, they're not that big inside. They're only about 1.25" inside and that's said to choke off the flow some. So, 1.5" single wall aftermarket headpipes are probably your best choice for performance. The set that MikesXS sells is pretty nice. I can't say the same for their new Commando mufflers. These are totally different than the original Commandos they used to sell. Those were supposedly dyno designed by Heiden Tuning. They looked and sounded great, and performed well. They also could be had with 1.5" inlets so they fit nicely on 1.5" headpipes. The new ones they sell are now made by EMGO and a far cry from the originals. The "guts" are all different so you don't get the dyno design benefit anymore. Basically, I think they're just one of EMGO's other mufflers with the outer "Commando" shell on them. So, they only look like the Commando muffler Mike's used to sell. Also, they only come with 1 3/4" inlets so you have to use those reducer sleeves to fit them on 1.5" headpipes. Those things are a pain and almost always leak.

Those old Commandos used to be my favorite 650 muffler but now the search is on for a new "favorite". Last summer, I replaced the entire exhaust on my current "fixer-upper", an '83 Special. I used MikesXS headpipes but since I won't buy those new junky Commandos, I decided to give these actual Norton Commando peashooter replicas a try .....

https://www.commandospecialties.com/norton-exhaust/big-bore-peashooters.html

They are a beautiful muffler but a bit loud. As you can see, there's not much baffling in them, lol .....

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But, until something better comes along, I'll learn to live with them. Performance is good and they look terrific.
 
I’ve heard really good things about Harley Sportster tapered mufflers that are adapted to factory pipes. They can be had pretty cheap and have a nice deep growl from what I understand.
 
1.5" headpipes are said to be about the ideal size for this motor. 1 3/4" is a bit large and may need torque or "AR" inserts up at the head to restore low end power .....
The new ones they sell are now made by EMGO and a far cry from the originals. The "guts" are all different so you don't get the dyno design benefit anymore. Basically, I think they're just one of EMGO's other mufflers with the outer "Commando" shell on them. So, they only look like the Commando muffler Mike's used to sell. Also, they only come with 1 3/4" inlets so you have to use those reducer sleeves to fit them on 1.5" headpipes. Those things are a pain and almost always leak.

I've got the Emgo shorties on my bike and love the sound of them when I'm on the bike. Off the bike they're loud and raspy. The look is what I was going for too, as subjective as that is. If you can do it, or can find someone to do it, I got a short piece of stainless pipe and some conical adapters to go up from the 1 1/2 headpipes to the 1 3/4 mufflers.
IMG_20181020_181507.jpg IMG_20181017_200641.jpg IMG_20181020_181937.jpg
 
I'd look long and hard at the long, slender stainless "Norton Commando" style mufflers from Cone Engineering. https://www.coneeng.com/motorcycle_components.html
They will require mounting brackets to be welded on, but I am 99%sure they will sound better than original Norton Commando mufflers, due to a perforated tube core with stainless steel wool packing. Real Norton Commando mufflers have a louvred core, but no packing whatsoever. I have a pair, but hated the sound.....
 
Surfed the Cone Engineering site.
Yes, those are "high end", nice performance mufflers. Not chrome and a bit pricey.
arcticXS you do have the eye for the performance components.
I understand your statement of a re-packable muffler regarding the tone. Anybody that remembers SuperTrapps on their dirt bikes can relate to the tone changes of a fresh packed cone vs a cooked or blown out cone there. And those tuning spacers on the end ? Those SuperTrapps really had a good sound on a big thumper in my opinion.
Maybe there is an old SuperTrapp muffler option to find for a nice add on to a custom 2 into 2 system. ?
 
There's a bit of confusion going around re. exhaust inserts and pipe diameter, probably due to Mike's XS selling exhaust port inserts as "torque cones." Exhaust port inserts are used to improve flow. Reducers at the outlet end are used to correct the torque peak when it's been raised by oversized head pipes. The only source I know for those is 650 Central. I use Emgo 17" megaphones. Emgo sells them with a little ring of fibreglass on the core that does nothing to quiet them down, but they sound fine when the core is properly wrapped.
 
The Cone Engineering pieces are nice! I have a set of the mini 12” megaphones but they are pricey. I recently looked long and hard at their 18” quieter core mufflers but in the end spent the money on the xs2 baseball style setup to stick with a more factory look. Cone will weld on the mounts for an additional fee when you order though.
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Here's a side view of my '77. HP header's that Mikes sells. 1-1/2" ID and Emgo Commando mufflers 1-3/4" ID I got from Amazon. I paid $62 with $2.38 shipping.:yikes: Mikes sells an adator for these for less than $10pr. I love the sound.
 

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It's in 'hibernation' at this time. (garage under a cover with StaBil) Plan to 'unwrap' it next month. I'll try to post a video, although I've never made one.:umm:
 
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