Topic: Extinct HM300 and HM341 Exhaust pipes. Are they worth it?

[4monger]

Hello All!
 Iv'e been a member for a bit but have never posted anything until now.  I have a question about the value on original or new paragraph pipe set adds to your restoration. I have an all original 1970 KO with 18k on it. I wasn't planning on restoring it but just exhaust, tires, etc. Cosmetically the bike is excellent with the exception of the exhaust.  I could have bought these a few months ago for 1200. But now they are 1800-2000. Does this expense really give added value to the bike? If I found new 341 pipes would it lessen the value? Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

[Stev-o]

I think of it this way: If you have an all original K0 and it does not have the correct exhaust, the value is lowered.
Are 300's even available anywhere? I know DSS has 341's...

[HondaMan]

If you do switch to 341 pipes, drop the mainjet about #10 size from where it is now.
The value question: that's probably above my pay grade?

[Johnie]

Stev-o is correct. A KO with less than OEM 300's will lower the value. Can not say if it will lower it the $1,880 - $2,000 of the cost, but these collectors are getting pretty picky and want the OEM exhaust. Many will pay more just to have the 300's since they are now so hard to find. If you are not going to sell it and can live with 341's just put that on there and watch eBay to buy one at a time. Of course you are really taking a chance buying used exhaust, but might get lucky.

[ekpent]

That would be a negative to most high end buyers of a first year Honda to not have the correct pipes. As Johnie mentioned when you get to that level and money they can be very picky. A slightly tatty set of used HM300's might be better than brand new HM341's if the bike was original and unmolested with a dash of patina.

[Stev-o]

"...a dash of patina".  Oh, so eloquently said, Eric.  I may have to use that in my next CL ad!

[ekpent]

"...a dash of patina".  Oh, so eloquently said, Eric.  I may have to use that in my next CL ad!

Been watchin' to much Food Channel I guess Steve  ---------   

[4monger]

Thanks. I do have a lead with a supplier for paragraph 300 pipes which are now extremely expensive. I would like to use the bike however have the resale thing in the back of my head. If my bike is worth 8-10k with the pipes vs 5 or 6 without is it worth it? I would like to appeal to a collector if I were to sell it though.

[Bankerdanny]

First I think it depends on the overall condition of your bike.

For a pristine low mileage K0 I think the pipes pay for themselves at resale or bring a slight premium above their cost and they make your bike sell even faster.

For a clean but well used K0 I suspect that they would not get back their expense and you would be better off to keep your eyes open for a nice, but not perfect, set of original pipes.

[4monger]

Well this is what it looked like when I bought it from the guy after being in his garage for 15 years. Since then I have installed original seat, removed the bags,rack and floor boards. (all for sale) Tell me what you think?

[4monger]

It's been sitting for a while but it's pretty clean for not being tended to for so long.

[Stev-o]

Looks nice, if that is original paint, you have a valuable bike there.
Do you have a current pic with the seat you put on it?  The upper brake hose looks a little odd, has that been changed?

And what do you mean by "paragraph 300 pipes"??

[4monger]

No good pics at the moment. I installed the original duck bill seat that came with the bike. Yes it's original paint which is very nice. There used to be a clip on fairing so I'm not sure about the brake hose. Paragraph pipes are the Original Honda Repros with the DOT Statement printed on the wheel side panels that have a paragraph of writing unlike the originals that came with the bike which just say HM300.