Topic: RC Engineering Headers vs others

[Bankerdanny]

So when I went down to pick up my parts bike I also picked up what I was told (and believe to be) an RC Engineering exhaust. The headers are painted, but no exterior rust and only a couple minor dents. The muffler is welded to the header. It'd more dented than the header and has a rust hole, but a good welder (no Cal, not me) should be able to patch it.

My plan right now is to replace my heavy, medium rusty, stock 750F header with a nice stainless header from Delkevic and pair it with my Kerker muffler.

But before I drop $300 on the header, is there any particular special benefit to the RC setup?

[seanbarney41]

I have had a couple of those rc pipes danny.  They run good and have a cool unique sound....but I doubt you will notice any distinct performance differences between any of the pipes available.  I base my choices on weight, ground clearance, fit and finish and overall looks.  Oh yeah, sound too!

[Tracksnblades1]

A long time and childhood buddy ran the full chrome version of the one picture on a 75 K. He never used the baffle. Everyone in the small town knew who and where he was....His RC did have the pronounced right turn asphalt milling evidence that I think SB41 was referring too.

[754]

One thing if you are selling it, it fits Amen chopper frames.
 Most 4 into 1 will not.,

[Bankerdanny]

One thing if you are selling it, it fits Amen chopper frames.
 Most 4 into 1 will not.,

Good to in know. The never rust aspect of the Delkavic is very attractive and I had already budgeted for it.

[Terry in Australia]

Any aftermarket pipe is an improvement over the heavy OEM ground grabber, I think I mentioned before that the OEM pipe on my shiny new 1975 "F" was the cause of me throwing it down the road when it didn't want to lean around a tight right hander.

I put a new RC pipe on the F when I threw the OEM POS away and it was good, didn't need to do anything but change the mains up to 120's to suit the pipe and K&N pods.

Compared to a more "frame hugging" modern pipe though, the RC pipe hangs a tad low, hence Franks remark about fit on other frames. Personally, I'd sell it and buy the Delkevic.

[seanbarney41]

Yeah Danny. I think that RC would be a cool part if it was in a little better shape.  Sounds like the muffler is pretty beat.  Unfortunately the muffler is what makes it distinctive.  The header is not much different than a delkevic, a MAC, a Kerker or several others.

[Stev-o]

I too have an RC exhaust, it's in the rafters waiting to mate. 

I agree with the guys, it's really nothing special, unlike some of their other HiPo parts. 

BTW - the RC pipes are the ancestors of the Vance & Hines pipes, they were manufactured after Vance left RC Enginneering

[754]

 Nothing special , just like Yoshi..
 Except it was the first 4 into 1 for CB 750, and set heaps of records..

[Terry in Australia]

It was the first 4 into 1 for a CB750 Frank? Really? I wonder if thats true........

[Stev-o]

Nothing special , just like Yoshi..
 

I'd like to think a hand bent header by Pops is special!

[754]

 The first RC ones were made by I think modding stock header pipes. , so they were partly handbent.
 I have never seen one, rare. 
 If you are road racing or a cafe guy , thecYosh may be the shiznitx.
 But while it corners, it sucks on a speedbump , so for a lowered streetracer.  Not the best choice..
 But if you were running an RC swingarm, webersm an ARD, and a RC cam and springs, you probably would like the RC.......? At least its the way I view it..

[seanbarney41]

I don't really see this rc pipe causing serious ground clearance problems on the street.  I got a nice one i may use fairly soon.  If so, i may put the bike on the lean o meter to see what the limitations really are. 

[Terry in Australia]

It'll be fine Sean, mine didn't hang that much lower from memory, it just didn't fit around the bike as well as the Delkevic.

[754]

I think it has better clearance than a first generation Hooker and Jardine., or ones with collecter right under the frame rail.
 The next pic  is not a first generation Jardine

[seanbarney41]

This Jardine had no clearance problems.
DSCN0837 by Sean Barney, on Flickr
Guessing they had multiple designs over the years and perhaps others were not as good for clearance.