Just to be clear. I wasn't attacking anything or anybody.
The word cheap often has some negative conotations. I guess I should have used another word in my horror story list.
About 7 or 8 years ago, I purchased from the Honda dealer, all four original pipes for my 74 CB550, which it hadn't had since 1975. It was over $500 for the set. Many people thought I was nuts (perhaps rightfully) for spending that much on the bike, when even the most expensive header system was only $300. Further, I doubt I could get much more than $800 for the bike in a sale regardless of what exhaust was on it. So, in my mind, any exhaust that cost less than the stock ones are "cheap" replacements.
However, the real point of the story was that Honda adjusted the whole bike to work together properly. The carb jetting, for example, was selected for operation with the stock pipes and air filter.
The people that made aftermarket exhaust systems didn't invest anywhere near the time and money Honda did to make the bike a good all around streetable machine. Most didn't even mention that jetting would be effected and left the burden to figure out what the correct jetting was to the buyer, who may or may not have understood how to do that part. In this way, they could sell their product and still make a profit.
When I put the stock pipes back on the 74, what I was amazed at was, every single book referenced setting and adjustment suddenly applied. I undid years of tweaking and living with slight performance annoyances. The bike just ran great and was responsive at any throttle setting.
I also learned that, although a 4 into 1 setup might have given me an extra 5 HP in the last 2000 RPM near redline, 95% of my street operation didn't need that 5 HP. To me, being able to get reliable throttle response at ANY throttle position (even idle) was worth the 5 HP loss of potential power.
Lastly, the 74 CB550 carburetion is down right sloppy and, I think, way more forgiving to tweaks, or lack thereof when compared to what the 78 CB750 has in the carburetion department. The early days of emission control were not kind to anybody modifying their machines from stock form for either the MC or Auto guys. I've no doubt it can be done. But, it will be interesting to see how yours turns out, Don. I'm willing to help where I can.
Sorry this got long.
