Topic: 74 CB550 Four - Exhaust options

[fourintofour]

Hi All,

I'm in the process of restoring a CB550 Four I picked up a few weeks ago. It's running and riding alright, and has a four into four exhaust. I don't think it's the original exhaust, but the right upper (think it's upper, it's the outer one) muffler has a big dent in it.

I can't seem to find that specific part online for a reasonable price. It seems like it would be a shame to change it into a four-into-one because the original exhaust looks sweet, but that dent really sucks.

Is it possible to remove the dent using home tools? Or is the four into one worth it?

OR, best case scenario, does someone have an extra exhaust they want to sell?

[Stev-o]

First off, welcome.  I too, have a '74 550, I plan to restore later this year. Luckily, I purchaded four original pipes a couple years back that I plan to use.

If you have 3 good pipes, seek out that fourth. 4 into 1's are ok, but originals are so much cooler and valuable.

Start a thread in the parts wanted area and periodically search ebay. The CB500 has the same pipes, so '71-76 will work for you.

EDIT: there seems to be quite a few on ebay right now.  This guy has a set.  Be sure to ask about rust holes, it is very common.  Good luck...


https://www.ebay.com/itm/Used-OEM-Right-Hand-Lower-Exhaust-Pipe-1973-76-Honda-CB500-CB550-K-11218-02/232656877061?hash=item362b6e3605:g:SO4AAOSwhdZaX7b7&vxp=mtr

[Yamahawk]

Hi, and welcome!
   Which pipe is it that you are missing? My friend Pat might have one in his shop. Do you need the whole pipe, or just the muffler at the back? Let me know, and I will look tomorrow... already looking for a 78 Cb750K exhaust tomorrow for a forum member, so its not a big deal to look for you also.
Let me know which one you are looking for, as in which cylinder and side it goes on. You stated rt. Upper one, so the would be the #4 cylinder, as in far right cylinder? As you get a few more posts, you will be able to add a picture of it. That will help!
Charlie

[fourintofour]

Hey Yamahawk, it is the far right one, and only the muffler side that is damaged. If you could source one that would be sweeeeet!

Thank you stev-o for the link, too. $100 is a liiiitle bit pricey, don't you think? I mean, that is a definite last resort but I don't wanna spend that much right now. I'm already like $1500 in, including the price of the bike.

Can't post pics yet but it's definitely dented, it's on the outside of the muffler. As you can see by that ebay post, they aren't supposed to have any dings there

[fourintofour]

Also that muffler on ebay is actually $200 with shipping. No thank you! 

[Yamahawk]

Also that muffler on ebay is actually $200 with shipping. No thank you! 

You will find that good quality, OEM exhaust parts can be quite expensive... Yamiya has re-popped pipes, but they are not cheap... $1100 for the set, I think is the cheapest. It might be more. So, if you do find the right side and its in great shape, you may find it's a bit pricey. I will look tomorrow, see what he has, and see what he would take for it. Cross your fingers
Charlie

[Gene]

Those pipes aren't cheap - and can often be the highest priced part you pay for a rebuild. You may want to start thinking the dent is part of the "charm".

[Yamahawk]

Those pipes aren't cheap - and can often be the highest priced part you pay for a rebuild. You may want to start thinking the dent is part of the "charm".

...only until he gets two more dents... three's a charm, you know...

BTW- fourintofour, why do you think the pipes are not original, and if they aren't, how do you know which set would match yours? If you can find any markings, part#'s or anything else, please let me know, that would help match your current pipes. Also, if you can, post some pictures of the bike, and the pipes. That would help a lot!
Charlie

[Gene]

Should be stamped with a number usually starts with "HM" (?) near the foot peg.

[fourintofour]

I'm not at home right now and doing a Valentine's getaway tomorrow (unfortunately not with any of my Hondas ) so I can't take pictures.

But I think those ARE the original pipes! I remember seeing a HM code and number on them, and thinking they weren't original because I thought they would say "Honda" on them! Damn, isn't that quite rare?

Let's see what you can find Charlie!

As for the charm of the bike, the gas tank already gives it plenty of that, there is only so much "patina" and "wabi sabi" bull#$%* you can get away with on a restoration

[Stev-o]

You find the Honda name on them, Honda didn't make all there exhaust (and it's the rustiest part on a lot of bikes)

Good luck finding a good one for less than a hundred bucks!

[Yamahawk]

So, do your 1974 CB550K pipes look like these? Plus, I found a set of those cross x over pipes where the 1-4 and 2-3 are paired to a shorty muffler...
Charlie

[Shtonecb500]

You could always run an original 550 super sport 4-1, They are fun and can be found for around 200 bucks.

[fourintofour]

 :Charlie I'm pretty sure those are the ones in the first photo, but will confirm for certain on Saturday. Which state are you in by the way? (Besides confusion )

[Yamahawk]

:Charlie I'm pretty sure those are the ones in the first photo, but will confirm for certain on Saturday. Which state are you in by the way? (Besides confusion )

I'm not sure.. I'd better Google my position. Oh yeah... Toledo, Ohio lol.
Where are you located?
Charlie

[fourintofour]

I'm in North Bend, Washington. Shipping shouldn't be too bad hey

[Yamahawk]

i've been there, born in Seattle and my sister lives in Arlington, Wa
Charlie

[scunny]

I thought the 500 had the trumpet style ends and the 550 had the plain ends

[Stev-o]

I thought the 500 had the trumpet style ends and the 550 had the plain ends

Hey Scunney....the later model 550 '77-78 had the plain end exhaust. 

[Yamahawk]

I thought the 500 had the trumpet style ends and the 550 had the plain ends

Hey Scunney....the later model 550 '77-78 had the plain end exhaust.

HM 404's hehe...
Charlie

[fourintofour]

So, here are some photos of the exhaust, dent and bike in question

Yeah, you can see that HM stamp on it, so, are these original then?

[evinrude7]

sure looks original from here. 

[fourintofour]

Lol, evinrude you done made my night 

[Yamahawk]

Lol, evinrude you done made my night 

Cal, the arm for the center stand is on the left... I think that might be an actual dent on the right muffler. If the center stand foot came up that high, it would have been from an immovable object putting it there. 
Charlie

[Gene]

Those are original as far as I can tell. That's what mine has on it.

[Stev-o]

Lol, evinrude you done made my night 

I think that might be an actual dent on the right muffler.

+1.   And are def original pipes.

[fourintofour]

Guys that is most definitely a dent, the previous owner said as much! So, Charlie, what's the deal with the pipe?

[Yamahawk]

Guys that is most definitely a dent, the previous owner said as much! So, Charlie, what's the deal with the pipe?

Still talking the Pat, he would rather sell the whole set, instead of piecing them out. He wants $350 and shipping for the whole set...
I saw another set, they looked identical, but had some white stick marking that said 350 on them. The only thing is, they didn't use those pipes on a 350-4... so, I am thinking they are not marked correctly... it used to happen a lot back in the day. I am going to pull down the upper right one and look at it, and see if it is good. They didn't look too bad, but are hard to get to. Have to wade through a lot of pipes to get to where they hang. Will let you know as soon as I find out, though!
Charlie

[fourintofour]

Cool, great to know. That is a good price for the whole set but obviously I don't need it.

Thanks for going through all that, and please keep me posted either way.

[Yamahawk]

Cool, great to know. That is a good price for the whole set but obviously I don't need it.

Thanks for going through all that, and please keep me posted either way.

Sent PM
Charlie