Topic: CB550K Delkevic Exhaust fitment.

[kerryb]

Installing a new Delkevic exhaust on a friends cb550k.  no instructions, beautiful exhaust. easy assembly except...
I had to assemble it first before installation because the springs are so strong.
after installation the mounting holes are 3/4 to 1" apart, am I supposed to STRETCH those springs another inch? 
1.  I don't know if can stretch all four that far without some serious leverage!
2.  The collector and muffler were given to me assembled, should I loosen the clamp to see if the muffler will slide that far back!
3. are the header pipes supposed to be bottomed out in the collector?

Appreciate the help.

[kerryb]

Never mind, doh!  Loosened muffler clamp, fits perfect!

[Alan F.]

It's nice to answer your own question but you have along the way answered each of the questions you'd raised. I've got this pipe for one of my 750s still in its box, I may not get to it for a while so your experience and your solution are of good value.
Thanks for posting this.

[kerryb]

The only help I might be is the tool to stretch the springs into place.  I used a 1' length of pcv conduit as a handle with  a 1' length of coathanger wire bent into a small hook to grab the spring.  Place the muffler against your gut and use two hands to stretch the spring far enough to reach the collector loop.  Pull in a direction that lets the spring find the loop, then unhook the coathanger.  I'm pretty sure I couldn't do it on the bike.
The other tip I might add is put some rubber bands around the collars near the header tube ends so they don't side down and get tangled in the area where the headpipes come together
Looking forward to the sound when we fire this engine up after a top end rebuild.  ( no new piston rings this time)