Topic: Mac 4 into 1 on CB 500

[Jules083]

I need a new exhaust on my CB500 and I was thinking about the Mac 4 into 1.

1. What, if any, jetting changes are needed? Currently stock jetting and air box, no mods done

2. How loud is it? The PO installed 4 into 2 drag pipes, I want to quiet it down.

3. Will throw-over saddlebags still work without hitting the pipes? I can't seem to find any pics of the pipe mounted to tell how high it sits in the back.

4. Anything else I should know?

Thanks a lot, I'm itching to get this bike done and ready to go. This is the last thing I need for it.

[1974cb550k]

I had one on both my 550's.
I did not re-jet.
Not loud at all, i dislike the sound personally and the second set i bought the header only not the muffler.
The muffler is fairly short and does not kick up much. I don't see a problem with saddlebags but i would seek other opinions as well.
I have had the black and the chrome. The chrome pipes blued almost instantly, but i am running pods it took me a day to get em dialed in could have been lean. The black ones started to get rusty after a season. My 2 cents

[Jules083]

Thanks. I guess black ones are out, I want to buy something that will last. Carpy's are way too loud for my taste, and I haven't found other options besides $1200 for NOS. You said you didn't like the sound, was there something weird to it or just your preference? I hate the 'breathing through a straw' sound that some pipes seem to have.

Is the Chrome holding up, blueing aside? I can live with blue pipes, but rust holes is a different story.

[Scott S]

 I like the sound, myself. The black does start to flake a little, but a $3.99 can of high temp paint can fix that. They will work with (most) saddle bags.



 Now on a 550 engine with heat paint.

[Dimitri13]

I have the mac 4-1 on my 550. It's not really loud at all. It's more of an OEM replacement than an aftermarket upgrade, so no jetting required.

One tip is to either get full chrome or full black. I bought the black headers chrome muffler, and definitely do not enjoy it.

[the technological J]

to me it seemed to have a little of the restricted sound that you  described.... i would put some packing in it to deepen the sound.... and if you get the black just deal with the paint issue right off the bat that way its taken care of (id put a few coats of some high temp ceramic coats on her)..... my buddy got some gas on his (wrongly routed overflow tube) and the paint peeled off and rusted

[1974cb550k]

Hard to describe the sound. It was tinny. You could remove or add packing to the baffle, or just remove it completely. Mine sounded killer with the header open, but then again I tend to like it on the loud side

[the technological J]

ya tinny is a good word i think the baffle was cheap and the packing would cut the vibration and solidify the sound

[Scott S]

 I guess it's subjective. I don't think mine sounds tinny at all. MAC makes a "sport" baffle, too. I'm told it has a....um...sportier sound.

[Jules083]

Thanks.

Being about the only cost effective and quiet option I guess I'll find out about the sound. I guess 'tinny' and 'breathing through a straw' could be interpreted as the same sound. From what you guys are saying though I could pull the baffle and put more/better packing in if needed to try it. Anything is better than what I have, drag pipes that exit by my feet.

Scott, thanks for the pics. Your bags are identical to the ones I have, so no worries there.

[Dimitri13]

Oh, I totally forgot I have videos up.

Here's a video of the sound, with a bit of wind. You'll get the idea though.

[Jules083]

That sounds pretty good from what I can tell. Thanks a lot, going to order a set as soon as I decide between chrome and black. Probably chrome.

[MOtub]

One tip is to either get full chrome or full black. I bought the black headers chrome muffler, and definitely do not enjoy it.

Dimitri, why didn't you like the black/chrome combo? That's the one I've been thinking about for my 550K. Just personal taste, or is it something else?