Topic: CB550 Custom Exhaust

[Scrambled]

Hi guys,

So as you may have seen in another post of mine I am in the process of building up a CB550 to be more of a scrambler inspired bike. This is the bike as it sits.



I have been in contact with a small shop that has done some exhaust work in the past but he does a lot of tig welding. The owner was saying that he could do a Pie Cut style exhaust, 4 in to 2 with a similar exhaust profile to this CB750, stopping short before the axel bolt.


He was able to give me a rough estimate of $500-$600 (canadian), but I would have to supply the flanges and muffler.

So this is a two part question, My existing bike has flanges and collars, (I know i would need new exhaust gaskets) But would I need to get new collars as well? Assuming the flanges come off with no issue.

Question #2. I have been struggling finding an muffler that I like, I'm not that big of a fan of the classic cone style pipe and it would be wrong to put a modern muffler design on it. I stumbled upon this on aliexpress. Which seems like a neat mix of mad max/scrambler. Realizing that aliexpress is not going to be that great of quality and although it does have a small baffle in it, I don't think it has much in the way of packing to quiet the pipe. It would also be about $200 to get two of these assuming customs doesn't jump all over me.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/2017-New-Model-High-Quality-Stainless-Steel-36-51mm-Universal-Motorcycle-Exhaust-Pipe-Muffler-Racing-for/32813260014.html?spm=a2g0s.13010208.99999999.264.1XZ6LM

(I would go with the stainless non colored one)


Does any one know if running a straight pipe on these CB's causes a big lack of power like some newer bikes? If I were to see if the shop could just build me a mock muffler that looks similar, I'm sure it would be louder but trying to not drastically effect the few pony's i have right now.

Any thoughts or experiences would be great!

[calj737]

You want back pressure in your exhaust to an extent. How much is very conditional. You can buy ready-to-go 4:2 systems in stainless as headers, systems, or in parts. Ripple Rock Racers and Delkevic (RRR is in CA by the way). Might give Goolge a swing to see what options are commercially available before you reinvent the wheel for same or more money.

[BomberMann650]

I can see why you like those mufflers for a scrambler build.

You won't necessarily "lose power" modding the exhaust on a cb550.  If the bike already runs well with the jardine's - you might have to do some minor jet changes when changing those out.  Provided you keep the stock airbox.

If you decide for pods or a breadbox (breadbox being the better engineered alternative that would compliment the alixpress pipe imho) you'll be looking at a bit more tinkering with bigger jets and plug chops to dial in fuel delivery.