Author Topic: 78 CB550 OEM 4 into 4 Exhaust, how much?  (Read 1184 times)

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Offline DJBlackRabbit

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78 CB550 OEM 4 into 4 Exhaust, how much?
« on: February 24, 2022, 07:06:34 PM »
I def want to run an after market 4 into 1 system but have no idea what to sell my original oem 4 into 4 for. I know this is a loaded question lol, but ive seen prices that are all over the place and would like a decent starting point. Would would be a good price for a decent set?




Offline Kevnz

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Re: 78 CB550 OEM 4 into 4 Exhaust, how much?
« Reply #1 on: February 24, 2022, 07:18:43 PM »
I know my opinion isn't worth much, but unless you're hanging out for the money, I would store the old system away for a rainy day. When the time comes to sell your bike, it'll be worth a LOT more with factory mufflers.
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Offline DJBlackRabbit

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Re: 78 CB550 OEM 4 into 4 Exhaust, how much?
« Reply #2 on: February 24, 2022, 07:21:54 PM »
I know my opinion isn't worth much, but unless you're hanging out for the money, I would store the old system away for a rainy day. When the time comes to sell your bike, it'll be worth a LOT more with factory mufflers.

I wish that were an option, i live in a 1 bedroom apt in Los Angeles with my wife i barely have room to work on the bike. Not really worried about resale tho, ill prob put more time/money i to it than its worth but thats half the fun!

Offline Deltarider

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Re: 78 CB550 OEM 4 into 4 Exhaust, how much?
« Reply #3 on: February 25, 2022, 12:47:47 AM »
I have no clue why you'd prefer a 4-1. Be prepared the value of your bike in total, after fitting a 4-1, will drop  by maybe 50%...
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Offline DJBlackRabbit

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Re: 78 CB550 OEM 4 into 4 Exhaust, how much?
« Reply #4 on: February 25, 2022, 02:43:37 AM »
I have no clue why you'd prefer a 4-1. Be prepared the value of your bike in total, after fitting a 4-1, will drop  by maybe 50%...

I'm apparently breaking some sort of unwritten rule "thou shall not change the oem exhaust" . Sarcastic comments aside lol, I prefer the sound/looks of a 4 into 1... I guess its just me. I bought the bike for $500 bucks and itll be a fun project, not looking to bring it back to how it was when it rolled off the showroom floor but also not trying to "cafe racer it up" either. Just a few tasteful mods that arnt super expensive

Offline Little_Phil

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Re: 78 CB550 OEM 4 into 4 Exhaust, how much?
« Reply #5 on: February 25, 2022, 03:04:18 AM »
Condition, condition, condition. I have a set that looked fine with no holes or exterior corrosion visible. (but a few dents) But when I removed them they all emptied plenty of their insides out over the floor.

Offline DJBlackRabbit

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Re: 78 CB550 OEM 4 into 4 Exhaust, how much?
« Reply #6 on: February 25, 2022, 03:21:36 AM »
Condition, condition, condition. I have a set that looked fine with no holes or exterior corrosion visible. (but a few dents) But when I removed them they all emptied plenty of their insides out over the floor.

Havnt removed mine yet but thats a good call, we’ll see what type of shape theyre in when i finally do remove them

Offline jlh3rd

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Re: 78 CB550 OEM 4 into 4 Exhaust, how much?
« Reply #7 on: February 25, 2022, 06:31:48 AM »
you can get a brand new non OE pipe set from CMS for around $1000. Looking at your limited pictures your pipes on first glance definitely look used, so I'd be thinking start at $500?.....I'm not saying I'd pay that.
« Last Edit: February 25, 2022, 06:34:11 AM by jlh3rd »

Offline Deltarider

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Re: 78 CB550 OEM 4 into 4 Exhaust, how much?
« Reply #8 on: February 25, 2022, 08:11:52 AM »
you can get a brand new non OE pipe set from CMS for around $1000. Looking at your limited pictures your pipes on first glance definitely look used, so I'd be thinking start at $500?.....I'm not saying I'd pay that.
But those are the K3/4 ones. Up to the K2 they had the most elegant of them all: the trumpets.
« Last Edit: February 25, 2022, 08:14:02 AM by Deltarider »
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Offline PeWe

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Re: 78 CB550 OEM 4 into 4 Exhaust, how much?
« Reply #9 on: February 25, 2022, 08:27:39 AM »
Store the original pipes under your bed.
There are people on this forum that has lots of parts under their beds like living in Tardis. Dr Who with friends... ;)
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Offline DJBlackRabbit

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Re: 78 CB550 OEM 4 into 4 Exhaust, how much?
« Reply #10 on: February 25, 2022, 09:19:41 AM »
you can get a brand new non OE pipe set from CMS for around $1000. Looking at your limited pictures your pipes on first glance definitely look used, so I'd be thinking start at $500?.....I'm not saying I'd pay that.

Didnt even know there was a 3rd party option, thats dope hat someone recreated them!

Offline jlh3rd

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Re: 78 CB550 OEM 4 into 4 Exhaust, how much?
« Reply #11 on: February 25, 2022, 09:57:11 AM »
you'd be surprised what honda may still have, and what aftermarket options are out there.
just be prepared to pay.....

Offline Shtonecb500

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Re: 78 CB550 OEM 4 into 4 Exhaust, how much?
« Reply #12 on: February 25, 2022, 11:15:33 AM »
You can maybe get a couple hundred bucks for them if ur lucky?
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Offline DJBlackRabbit

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Re: 78 CB550 OEM 4 into 4 Exhaust, how much?
« Reply #13 on: February 25, 2022, 11:26:14 AM »
You can maybe get a couple hundred bucks for them if ur lucky?

thanks!

Offline Ichiban 4

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Re: 78 CB550 OEM 4 into 4 Exhaust, how much?
« Reply #14 on: February 25, 2022, 11:38:24 AM »
I've got a '77 550K with good 4 into 4 pipes..that I like..so will start this from there..
Seems to me that all the posts here are worth considering. 
Guess the #1 would be condition. Number 2 seems to be price.which I've seem all the way from a few hundred to a couple of thousand dollars (if you can find them).
 I'd try to remember that getting good 4 into 4 pipes for these old bikes is not easy.  So..if yours are in good condition(TBD)..I'd think that some sort of bidding/negotiation over price would be in order.
Hypothetically speaking..and if the pipes were not rusted or dented..chrome was reasonably good..I could see paying around $500 to $800 at today's prices..for whatever that's worth.
Bottom line in my opinion..is seeing what condition they're-in..then going from there based upon what others have said here.
Cheers..
Ichi/Al
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Past: '73 CB450(twin), '72 CB175, '68 CB350, '58 Ariel Square 4 (1000cc), '58 Matchless Typhoon (650cc single), Whizzer Motorbikes '48 -'55 (Pacemaker & Sportsman)..Vespa, Lambretta scooters..etc.

Offline DJBlackRabbit

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Re: 78 CB550 OEM 4 into 4 Exhaust, how much?
« Reply #15 on: February 25, 2022, 11:41:18 AM »
I've got a '77 550K with good 4 into 4 pipes..that I like..so will start this from there..
Seems to me that all the posts here are worth considering. 
Guess the #1 would be condition. Number 2 seems to be price.which I've seem all the way from a few hundred to a couple of thousand dollars (if you can find them).
 I'd try to remember that getting good 4 into 4 pipes for these old bikes is not easy.  So..if yours are in good condition(TBD)..I'd think that some sort of bidding/negotiation over price would be in order.
Hypothetically speaking..and if the pipes were not rusted or dented..chrome was reasonably good..I could see paying around $500 to $800 at today's prices..for whatever that's worth.
Bottom line in my opinion..is seeing what condition they're-in..then going from there based upon what others have said here.
Cheers..
Ichi/Al

I agree, will prob unbolt them next week and clean them up to see more accurately where I stand with them

Offline Bankerdanny

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Re: 78 CB550 OEM 4 into 4 Exhaust, how much?
« Reply #16 on: February 25, 2022, 12:05:05 PM »
it's your bike. Make it into what you want.

Late model pipes like yours typically sell for less than the early trumpet style pipes. For some reason they are easier to find also.

At any rate in good condition with no major holes I would think $500-$600. Earlier pipes could easily double that, but like I said, the 77-78 style just isn't as desirable.

As far as a 4-1 goes, if you could find one and money wasn't an issue, Kerker would be the way to go. My '75 550F had a Kerker in place of the OEM 4-1 and it sounded fantastic. But since they are very rare and very expensive when not rusted out crap, Delkevic is the clear choice. About $400, stainless steel, so they never rust and weigh about half of the stock 4-4. They sound great too (although not as good as the Kerker in my opinion). My 750F has the megaphone style muffler which I prefer to the Yoshi style tube muffler.
« Last Edit: February 25, 2022, 12:07:07 PM by Bankerdanny »
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Offline Stev-o

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Re: 78 CB550 OEM 4 into 4 Exhaust, how much?
« Reply #17 on: February 25, 2022, 03:25:41 PM »
Can understand why you dont want them, he later style 550 pipes were so restrictive and quiet [I had one a few years back and sold it]

Bottom line is they are worth what someone is willing to pay....$150 a pipe?   Another thing to consider is size and weight, they will not be cheap to ship, that could be a deal killer for some.  So may be best to list on your local craigslist, eBay and/or flakebook.
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Offline DJBlackRabbit

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Re: 78 CB550 OEM 4 into 4 Exhaust, how much?
« Reply #18 on: February 25, 2022, 03:42:06 PM »
Can understand why you dont want them, he later style 550 pipes were so restrictive and quiet [I had one a few years back and sold it]

Bottom line is they are worth what someone is willing to pay....$150 a pipe?   Another thing to consider is size and weight, they will not be cheap to ship, that could be a deal killer for some.  So may be best to list on your local craigslist, eBay and/or flakebook.

good info! yea I hate shipping if I don't have to, then you have to hope the person you're shipping to doesn't try to dispute things

Offline DaveBarbier

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Re: 78 CB550 OEM 4 into 4 Exhaust, how much?
« Reply #19 on: February 26, 2022, 01:49:46 AM »
I sold this set of ‘78 550k pipes in 2014 for $500 on eBay not including shipping.





Offline DJBlackRabbit

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Re: 78 CB550 OEM 4 into 4 Exhaust, how much?
« Reply #20 on: February 26, 2022, 02:23:57 AM »
I sold this set of ‘78 550k pipes in 2014 for $500 on eBay not including shipping.






Great comparison, those look amazing!