Looking for budget 2 into 2 exhaust options that look closer to stock

oberling

oberling

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I have a Special II that has aftermarket shorty mufflers on it. They are pretty loud and don't sound fantastic, and are quite dented up and no longer properly attached. I'd like to find a set of pipes that will extend back to at least the end of the brake drum, if not further, because I love the look of long exhaust pipes on old parallel twins. I don't want to shell out for original stock exhaust, and I ideally don't want to replace my head pipes. I might go with a 750 kit in the near future so I'd like something fairly free flowing.

I've even considered Harley fishtail exhaust and just cutting the fishtail portion off. https://www.amazon.com/SHARKROAD-Fi...mzn1.fos.f5122f16-c3e8-4386-bf32-63e904010ad0

Seems like they can be had for cheap, and I'm not opposed to making a bracket. What are you guys all running on yours? I've seen the Mikes XS exhaust kits but those are just a little bit too expensive for me at the moment.

Thanks!
 

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Wow, you posted a question with a loaded open response. The replacement head pipes I see have pipes like these
1680838507003.png
Some have a 8-15 degree upsweep at the tail end. Pipes like these seem to go $80 and up a pair from various suppliers. Search this forum, but stock motors are best at 1.5'' diameter. Mufflers to quiet the beast:)laugh2:) should match the 1.5", memebers here report exhaust leaks with adaptors. Muffs are available from MikeXS, XS650Direct, Nichecycle, XS650.com etc. You may or may not find a XS650 Special look alike but I think you will find something pleasing to you. Cheers
 
Actually the Norton Commando style exhaust pictured looks really good. I might go with something like that instead of messing around with adapters and the Shark road pipes.
 
Speaking of exhausts, hey @5twins…
Don’t you have those upswept down pipes on yours? Now that’s something I’d seriously consider for mine with the commando tails. I’d like to have the access to the swingarm/rear wheel as and when.
Whereabouts did you get yours? Bit of a long shot but do you know of anybody I can source via the UK??
 
I have these HP headers and Commando style mufflers on my '77. They fit good and sound ever better. I got an adaptor from Mike's for the 1-1/2" header to the 1-3/4" muffler.
avatar 2.jpg
 
Yes, I do have upswept headpipes on my '78. They are the MAC brand but I don't think they're available anymore. I got them from Mike's many years ago. This is what he sold before he started having his own produced .....

Mammys2014.jpg


The amount of upsweep is just perfect, enough to clear the axle but still low enough to allow bags to be fitted .....

2012 Blessing.jpg
 
Yeah they look great. Any idea of what degree that sweep is? I think I’d struggle to find a set of headers like these unless I have some custom bent to spec so that’s an option I guess. Thanks for those pics 5T
 
Well, I'm hoping they can, at least a little. I have the current Mikes offering on my '83 and would like to "tweak" them so they upsweep more .....

NewWheelMounted4.jpg
 
I got them from a British bike place and they are actually Norton Commando peashooter replicas. But, most British bike mufflers have 1 3/8" inlets. These are special, with 1 1/2" inlets, what they call their "big bore" mufflers. Apparently there were a few Norton models that came with them.

I'm not sure I would get them again but I'm not even sure I could. The last time I checked, the web site didn't list them anymore. They are basically straight through and were quite loud when I first installed them .....

Peashooter2.jpg


So, I added baffles to quiet them down .....

83Baffles.jpg


But even so, they don't sound as good as the Commando mufflers we usually like to run, they're not as "throatie". They are very good looking though, I will say that much for them.
 
5twins said:
I got them from a British bike place and they are actually Norton Commando peashooter replicas. But, most British bike mufflers have 1 3/8" inlets. These are special, with 1 1/2" inlets, what they call their "big bore" mufflers. Apparently there were a few Norton models that came with them.

I'm not sure I would get them again but I'm not even sure I could. The last time I checked, the web site didn't list them anymore. They are basically straight through and were quite loud when I first installed them .....

View attachment 240744

So, I added baffles to quiet them down .....

View attachment 240745

But even so, they don't sound as good as the Commando mufflers we usually like to run, they're not as "throatie". They are very good looking though, I will say that much for them.
Click to expand...
I got the same "Big Bore Commando Mufflers" They do look fantastic, but sound awful. I suspect that the long stroke/ small bore, and possibly smaller valves of an actual Commando 750/850 vs the "square" XS dimensions make them sound throaty on a Norton, but "tinny" on an XS.
I also suspect that the 27" long Peashooters from Cone Engineering may work a lot better on an XS. They make them for 1 1/2"pipes, so no need for adapters/ sleeves. Somehow I also have a weak spot for their "Cocktail Shakers", also 1 1/2". Would be perfect on a bobber.
https://www.coneeng.com/motorcycle_components.html
 

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