Topic: (Video) 4-4 pipes. You guys aren't going to kill me

[Honda550k]

So over the weekend I traded a bottom end of a 550 engine. It included the alternator, oil pump, clutch and points plate. I got in return the following: front fender rear fender and 77/ 78 pipes.

The pipes and fenders had alot of surface rust. It cleaned up nicely with just wd40 and steel wool to scrub.

Here's the before/after and with it installed on the bike.







Now they may look like it is in pretty decent shape. But number 2 and 3 pipes had big rust holes on them. Also on ask 4 pipes the chamber walls were rusted out. And basically 2 of the 4 louver cores were non existent and the other 2 were floating around the pipes.

So here's what it looks like on the bike.
Here's what I did to compensate for the rust holes.




It is straight pipes right now. I plan on making a removable baffle got it.

Take care.

[Steve_K]

I like the look of the shorten pipes.  Without any baffles, I would hate to live next door in the morning.  If you can find baffles, that would look and sound good.  With an airbox for the  carbs, you probally won't have to re-jet.
Steve

[brewsky]

Looks good...
Now if you cut off the ends to match the diameter of what is left, and weld them on, they would look even better.

[Black 750K8]

What color is that bike

[754]

 Kill you for what ?   ?   ?    the brown seat ?

[Honda550k]

754 :I thought people would take offense by cutting the pipes. Guess not. not a fan of the Brown seat?

750 k8:tank is Honda white. What they used on the 06 to 11 civics.

Steve:I know. Lucky for my neighbors its like -2 here up in Ontario so in just about to put the bike away after in done with theses pipes. And I do care for how loud it is. Right now I'm in the process of making baffles. It's too obnoxious for me.

Brewsky:I was thinking about that. Welding the back piece so that it looks like the original. But mini. Too bad I have no idea how to weld.

[754]

HEY JUST RAZZING YOU, DONT CARE WHAT COLOR THE SEAT IS
 Baffles can be a lot of work....try Cone Engineering..

 Once the pipes got rot in them, they are not as coveted..

[Honda550k]

Lol no offense taken. I was looking at that website. The thing with our pipes, it's not straight cone all the way to the headers so you kind of have to play with the angle and shape of the baffle.

Will post when I'm finished. With pics and video. Hopefully.

I'm surprised alot of people don't do what I did to try and still have 4 to 4 when their pipes rot. Or I can just be an idiot.

[bryanj]

If they were holed and rotten they can't be fixed and rechromed so you did nothing wrong

[seanbarney41]

Not mad at all...in fact you have given me ideas...very creative way out of a bad situation

[brewsky]

You don't need to feel bad.......but I do........I did that to a brand new Superhawk in 1967!

[Honda550k]

Just an update. I made some baffles for the 4 pipes. I wanted a cheap baffle so here's the list of things I needed.

Things I bought for baffles
sheet metal
Work shop Scissors
Gloves

So I took measurements and I ended up with this design

And I had a friend solder. Yes solder it together. We have no access to a welding machine. He used a 500°c solder wire and the end results were successful.

I will have videos as soon as my friend uploads the video.

Edit.

Videos:

Idle

Acceleration

And 4 straight pipes just for fun
Edit: 2 straight abd 2 baffled. They fell out during testing

[Powderman]

Lol no offense taken. I was looking at that website. The thing with our pipes, it's not straight cone all the way to the headers so you kind of have to play with the angle and shape of the baffle.

Will post when I'm finished. With pics and video. Hopefully.

I'm surprised alot of people don't do what I did to try and still have 4 to 4 when their pipes rot. Or I can just be an idiot.

When they are as rotted as you described most builders won't take all the time you did to try and fix something that is basically a pig with lipstick on. It looks good now but it will not last as the rust and rot inside will continue to progress. Most would just end up replacing the pipe with something new.

[Bankerdanny]

Kill you? Nah. If they were really clean pre-77 pipes maybe, but I think most of us have less nostalgia about the 77-78 pipes.

Now if you really want to see the forum explode, find a decent set of HM300 750 pipes and cut THOSE up. Then someone might hunt you down and slap you around.

[Jimsun]

I agree with the above state regarding them rotting. Maybe if you want to preserve them you can apply POR 15 to lenghten its life. Or treat the rust inside.

Bike looks clean

[FillionJ]

Hey there, I have been working on my old mans old 77 550k just like this one and have been looking at ways to make it more modern with as little mods as possible. In regards to ur bike I absolutely love it and was wondering what you have had to do to it ? Thanks a lot this is my first project so all the help I can get is great


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[Honda550k]

Hey there, I have been working on my old mans old 77 550k just like this one and have been looking at ways to make it more modern with as little mods as possible. In regards to ur bike I absolutely love it and was wondering what you have had to do to it ? Thanks a lot this is my first project so all the help I can get is great

Thanks and Welcome. This is my first bike, first project as well. Congrats on your first project. This forum is great for support on these bikes. I didn't even have a proper set of screw drivers when I got the bike. So be prepared to do a lot of researching and reading. Some of the 550 gurus are TwoTired (TT), dave500.

What do you mean by more modern?

Things you could do to make it modern:
-Front end swap with a cbr/gsxr or other modern bikes. (This will improve your braking and handling) -Electronic ignition (I did have a bad experience with a dyna s. Try another brand)
-Change all lights to led (if you do this, make sure to change your signal light relay for one that is for led. This can also put some relief on your battery as well while idling.)
-Dual disk conversion. Lots of info about that.

Etc..... mods are endless

Thing I have done:
-changed front suspension to progressive springs.
-changed from a dyna s back to points
-running clip ons above the triple
-changed my controls to more modern ones
-changed all lights to led except the headlight
-changed my gauges
-added a volt meter
-changed brake pads
-3000 mile tune up
-fabricated seat
-tank paint

Basically it. A couple of little things.

Good luck with the project.
I can try and help to my capacity.  My knowledge is limited compare with other people

[Sdsbassist]

I think with some of the latests post (fairing and steampunk) some people may not be as willing to post their mods due to the out of control blasting some recieved

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[Honda550k]

I think with some of the latests post (fairing and steampunk) some people may not be as willing to post their mods due to the out of control blasting some recieved

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I think it's how he went about it. His first post was basically like this. Hey guys I just bought a 750 now I'm going to hack it to make it look steampunk. And that 750 was in pristine condition. I'm just trying to help a fellow sohc4 owner.