Author Topic: Trying to put together a custom 4 to 1 exhaust system for CB 550, help requested  (Read 4196 times)

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Offline rocs

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Hi Guys,

My next project is going to be putting a 4 to 1 exhaust system together for my cb550 build.

I know MAC makes a 4 to 1 system but I want something more custom. Below is a picture of what I am aiming for.

This is a cb550 build by Kineticmotorcycles.com


Should I just buy a MAC 4 to 1 system and then weld a new muffler to it?

Anyone else do something similar that can shed some wisdom?
1975 CB550k's

Offline goldarrow

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any 4 into 1 headers, plus cone eng. muffler
Life Is Full Of Challenges - And My Backyard Is Full Of SOHC4's

CB550 K0
CB750 K0, K2, K23 JDM, K45, K5
And the little ones z50r, xr50r, st90


750k5 http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=114817.0

Offline rocs

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IM guessing the MAC system would be my cheapest option at obtaining a 4 to 1 header to work off of?  I think the carpy system has increased in price from the original $300.
1975 CB550k's

Offline jamesbekman

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Yea thats just a mac header with a cone engineering exhaust mounted to it.  Not really a trick exhaust, super easy to do.  step one, buy header, step two buy muffler.

Offline Lostboy Steve

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I was thinking about doing something similar but with the flat 4-1 collector that Cone Sells.
1968 Honda Z50
1977 Honda CB550K
2018 Indian Scout

Offline EricHa

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I bought a MAC and hacked off the can on the tail pipe, then bought a Cone Engineering muffler and clamped it on. I also fabbed a bracket to bolt to the frame for stability. Cone didn't have the Quiet Core mufflers when I bought mine, and I would prefer it a little quieter than it is with this straight through piece.




If you just slap it on the collector you won't get that nice upswept look. Be sure to use the piece that you hack off of the can.


« Last Edit: August 05, 2014, 12:35:44 PM by EricHa »
1975 Honda CB550K1
1976 Honda CB750K6
1977 Kawasaki KZ900A5

Offline goldarrow

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I bought a MAC and hacked off the can on the tail pipe, then bought a Cone Engineering muffler and clamped it on. I also fabbed a bracket to bolt to the frame for stability. Cone didn't have the Quiet Core mufflers when I bought mine, and I would prefer it a little quieter than it is with this straight through piece.




If you just slap it on the collector you won't get that nice upswept look. Be sure to use the piece that you hack off of the can.




bike looks great with that upswept pipe.  do you have a video of it running?
Life Is Full Of Challenges - And My Backyard Is Full Of SOHC4's

CB550 K0
CB750 K0, K2, K23 JDM, K45, K5
And the little ones z50r, xr50r, st90


750k5 http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=114817.0

Offline Retro Rocket

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CycleX has exactly what you want complete for $379... Half way down the page, out of stock at the moment but i would send them an email and ask.... ;)

http://www.cyclexchange.net/Honda%20SOHC%20High%20Performance%20Exhaust%20Page.htm

750 K2 1000cc
750 F1 970cc
750 Bitsa 900cc
If You can't fix it with a hammer, You've got an electrical problem.

Offline Stev-o

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Did you buy those two headers?   +1 Cone Engineering....

http://www.coneeng.com/motorcycle_components.html

Fit it and take it to your local ma & pa muffler for welding [if necessary]
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline Retro Rocket

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750 K2 1000cc
750 F1 970cc
750 Bitsa 900cc
If You can't fix it with a hammer, You've got an electrical problem.

Offline Stev-o

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http://www.ebay.com/itm/Honda-CB750-Black-Super-4-into-1-Exhaust-chopper-bobber-cafe-/151364608893

Cycle X on ebay.... ;)  I would buy this over a MAC any day... ;)

+1.  Surprised more of us don't have these.   But, pretty sure Roc has a 550.
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

DH

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Just a suggestion, ever consider a "Supertrapp" tuneable muffler? Adding/subtracting discs will determine what kind of sound and restriction you want.

Offline seanbarney41

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Just a suggestion, ever consider a "Supertrapp" tuneable muffler? Adding/subtracting discs will determine what kind of sound and restriction you want.
I have wanted one for years but they are pricey
If it works good, it looks good...

Offline Retro Rocket

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http://www.ebay.com/itm/Honda-CB750-Black-Super-4-into-1-Exhaust-chopper-bobber-cafe-/151364608893

Cycle X on ebay.... ;)  I would buy this over a MAC any day... ;)

+1.  Surprised more of us don't have these.   But, pretty sure Roc has a 550.

You are correct Steve, its a 550, cycleX has them too... ;D ;)

http://www.cyclexchange.net/Honda%20500%20-%20550%20Exhaust%20Page.htm

Bottom of the page on the right... ;)
750 K2 1000cc
750 F1 970cc
750 Bitsa 900cc
If You can't fix it with a hammer, You've got an electrical problem.

Offline EricHa

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I bought a MAC and hacked off the can on the tail pipe, then bought a Cone Engineering muffler and clamped it on. I also fabbed a bracket to bolt to the frame for stability. Cone didn't have the Quiet Core mufflers when I bought mine, and I would prefer it a little quieter than it is with this straight through piece.




If you just slap it on the collector you won't get that nice upswept look. Be sure to use the piece that you hack off of the can.




bike looks great with that upswept pipe.  do you have a video of it running?

Here is a video from a couple years back....

1975 Honda CB550K1
1976 Honda CB750K6
1977 Kawasaki KZ900A5

Offline goldarrow

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bike sounds great!  what are your carbs settings?
Life Is Full Of Challenges - And My Backyard Is Full Of SOHC4's

CB550 K0
CB750 K0, K2, K23 JDM, K45, K5
And the little ones z50r, xr50r, st90


750k5 http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=114817.0

Offline EricHa

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I honestly haven't checked. It came with an open 4 into 2 setup than ran pretty good, so I just made up this header which seems to run similar. The bike is not running right now, as I put my efforts into my K6 for the last year. It is next on the list, whenever I have more time. I can check the jets if you want. 
1975 Honda CB550K1
1976 Honda CB750K6
1977 Kawasaki KZ900A5

Offline evanphi

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MAC 4-1 (scavenged mid-pipe) with the ConeEngineering Quiet Core.

This was the first startup after winter, and maintenence... so no vac sync and a slappy cam chain. But you get the idea. This thing sounds #$%*in'. ;D
Cone Engineering Quiet Core CB750 1975 K5
--Evan

1975 CB750K "Rhonda"
Delkevic Stainless 4-1 Header, Cone Engineering 18" Quiet Core Reverse Cone, K&N Filter in Drilled Airbox
K5 Crankcase/Frame, K4 Head and Cylinders, K1 Carbs (42;120;1 Turn)

She's a mix-matched (former) basket case, but she's mine.

CB750 Shop Manual (all years), searchable text PDF
Calculating the correct input circumference for digital speedometers connected to the original speedometer drive

Offline Vinhead1957

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Did sound like a cam chain! Normal clutch in neutral.  Sounds like it is screaming put those covers on and gas tank and let's go!

Offline evanphi

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Did sound like a cam chain! Normal clutch in neutral.  Sounds like it is screaming put those covers on and gas tank and let's go!


Oh yeah that was my first startup of the year... Rides like a dream now and sounds like a sewing machine at idle. Once the revs get up, though... watch out! She's a screamer.
--Evan

1975 CB750K "Rhonda"
Delkevic Stainless 4-1 Header, Cone Engineering 18" Quiet Core Reverse Cone, K&N Filter in Drilled Airbox
K5 Crankcase/Frame, K4 Head and Cylinders, K1 Carbs (42;120;1 Turn)

She's a mix-matched (former) basket case, but she's mine.

CB750 Shop Manual (all years), searchable text PDF
Calculating the correct input circumference for digital speedometers connected to the original speedometer drive