Topic: Dan's 550

[DapperDano]

Hey guys.  I decided to start a thread to share and keep track of things I do to the bike.  So here it is.  The bike is a 74 CB550, this is what it looked like when I bought it a couple of years ago.



The previous owners had installed clips ons, some crap mirrors, chopped the exhaust and made a few other changes, but overall the bike ran well enough to ride.  Due to the high tempo of my job I didn't have the time or resources to change the things I wanted, so I accepted that.  Things have settled down a little in the last year and now I've got a space and some tools to do work.  Very happy about that. 

I installed some CRG bar end mirrors and started looking at exhausts.  I don't really like the look of the Yoshi-style exhausts, so I went with the MAC 4-1 and ditched the muffler in favor of a different one. 

I went with the Emgo reverse cone, got some U-bend exhaust pipe and pipe reducers to fit the muffler, and bought a no-gas MIG welder.  I didn't have any experience welding so I spent time practicing for a few weeks until I thought I could do the job without ruining the pipes.  The plan was to use the MAC headers then build my own downpipe for the muffler to slip on to.  Here's how it turned out.











 
I wrapped the exhaust with some help, and touched up the exhaust joints by soaking them in apple cider vinegar, cleaning them up and painting.




Here's a pic with it all installed.



And here's a short video of how she sounds now.  Much better than the chopped pipes!
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/XY7P8YDpzZR83G0Yk5TZWGaATSYb1hkCVkB0f7JWihk?feat=directlink

This site has been great, I've been reading it since I bought the bike and it's helped me out many times.  Now I hope to post a little here and there to share with others and give back when I can.  Thanks and enjoy.

Dan

[timbo750]

Well done on the exhaust, pretty good job for youth first attempt. Most people end up burning a hole when they start on the thin stuff. I still burn a hole every now and then but I usually weld thicker stuff at work and then forget how careful I need to be on the thin stuff.

[marting100]

great job and nice bike man!
M

[pookie]

Nice.  I kind of like the black pipes with chrome muffler look too.  But good work.

[DapperDano]

Thanks guys, I appreciate it.  Timbo I skimmed through your build and it looks like it's come a long way from where it started.  It'll feel so good when it's on the road.

Dan