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Author Topic: 550F muffler  (Read 591 times)

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Offline Kevnz

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550F muffler
« on: June 02, 2022, 10:20:03 PM »
It seems the genuine muffler for a 550F is no longer available. Is there anything that looks and sounds similar? I am looking at a bike with the factory header, but the muffler is way too loud and I would , if I get the bike, like  to restore it to something approaching standard appearance and sound
Thanks
Kevin
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Offline grcamna2

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Re: 550F muffler
« Reply #1 on: June 03, 2022, 12:47:03 AM »
I will be on the lookout for you Kevin:I love OEM stock mufflers  ;)
Does it have the OEM muffler on it now?
Do you know the Honda 'HM...'(Sankei?)manufacturer's number which is stamped into the case of the OEM muffler ?
I have had some success using that number while doing online searches for a 'used muffler',then I read the case number,and it matches.I would like to see more people do custom reproductions of stock mufflers;get a good muffler,take it apart and get specs of all the inner parts then make them by hand to install into the cases of the muffler and deftly tig-weld it back up again.I have seen this done with OEM mufflers for the Honda CL350 and CL450;those Honda twins with the dual high pipes are really beautiful,imo.  8)
I would enjoy doing this if I had special tools in a shop of my own(rather than my 2nd floor apartment),then make the custom parts from stainless steel.
« Last Edit: June 03, 2022, 10:15:37 AM by grcamna2 »
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75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts' & 81' CB125S modded to a 'CB200S'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.

Offline Kevnz

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Re: 550F muffler
« Reply #2 on: June 03, 2022, 01:43:35 AM »
No, it has an ugly shorty muffler on it that is way too loud for my taste. Many years ago, I had a retired sheetmetal worker make up replacement mufflers for my XJ750 in stainless. They looked just like the originals minus the ugly welds, true craftsmanship. My BiL has just purchased a new TIG welder, so perhaps making something from scratch could be an option. I've never TIGged before, and if my MIG is anything to go by, might need someone else to do that bit! But would prefer something off the shelf if possible. Got to get the bike first, just seeing what I am up for.
Thanks
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Offline TwoTired

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Re: 550F muffler
« Reply #3 on: June 03, 2022, 06:25:18 AM »
Are there any aftermarket exhaust systems as quiet as stock?

The primary requirement seems to be that they be cheap and loud.  Neither is good for the 550 on the street.  Especially in town/city driving where you need to keep the motor revving above 3500 to have the quick power needed for avoidance of the inept in cars and trucks.  High RPM and loud gets police attention as it signals “racing behavior” to them.  While a loud pipe is enjoyable, to me, for short periods.  I’m not so proud of that when pulling into an apartment complex or hotel at 3 in the morning or leaving at 5:30 am.

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Offline Stev-o

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Re: 550F muffler
« Reply #4 on: June 03, 2022, 07:34:16 AM »
The 550F muffler in good condition is getting near impossible to find.  Luckily, the stock pipe on my 550F is still in good shape other than the small rust hole near the exit.

As mentioned, Sankei manufactured the pipe, worst part on the bike! But the 4 into one is so sexy looking...


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'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline jlh3rd

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Re: 550F muffler
« Reply #5 on: June 03, 2022, 08:47:00 AM »
yep....it's a great look....especially in 1975...and even now
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Offline Bankerdanny

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Re: 550F muffler
« Reply #6 on: June 03, 2022, 09:17:15 AM »
Quote from: TwoTired on June 03, 2022, 06:25:18 AM
Are there any aftermarket exhaust systems as quiet as stock?

The primary requirement seems to be that they be cheap and loud.  Neither is good for the 550 on the street.  Especially in town/city driving where you need to keep the motor revving above 3500 to have the quick power needed for avoidance of the inept in cars and trucks.  High RPM and loud gets police attention as it signals “racing behavior” to them.  While a loud pipe is enjoyable, to me, for short periods.  I’m not so proud of that when pulling into an apartment complex or hotel at 3 in the morning or leaving at 5:30 am.



The Delkavic comes with 3 levels of baffles for their system, at least the megaphone style muffler I have on my 750. I am sure it still louder than stock based on my experience with the stock muffler I briefly ran, but with all 3 baffles in I am sure that the sound level would be quite reasonable.
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Current: '76 CB750F. Previous:  '75 CB550F, 2007 Yamaha Vino 125 Scooter, '75 Harley FXE Superglide, '77 GL1000, '77 CB550k, '68 Suzuki K10 80, '68 Yamaha YR2, '69 BMW R69S, '71 Honda SL175, '02 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, '89 Yamaha FJ1200

Offline grcamna2

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Re: 550F muffler
« Reply #7 on: June 03, 2022, 10:11:03 AM »
Quote from: Stev-o on June 03, 2022, 07:34:16 AM
The 550F muffler in good condition is getting near impossible to find.  Luckily, the stock pipe on my 550F is still in good shape other than the small rust hole near the exit.

As mentioned, Sankei manufactured the pipe, worst part on the bike! But the 4 into one is so sexy looking...



Stev-o,can you read a Honda HM... # off your stock muffler ?

The bike looks Great  8) I love that blue.
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75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts' & 81' CB125S modded to a 'CB200S'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.

Offline grcamna2

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Re: 550F muffler
« Reply #8 on: June 03, 2022, 10:17:46 AM »
Quote from: Kevnz on June 03, 2022, 01:43:35 AM
No, it has an ugly shorty muffler on it that is way too loud for my taste. Many years ago, I had a retired sheetmetal worker make up replacement mufflers for my XJ750 in stainless. They looked just like the originals minus the ugly welds, true craftsmanship. My BiL has just purchased a new TIG welder, so perhaps making something from scratch could be an option. I've never TIGged before, and if my MIG is anything to go by, might need someone else to do that bit! But would prefer something off the shelf if possible. Got to get the bike first, just seeing what I am up for.
Thanks

Do you have any pictures of your XJ750 with those custom mufflers? I really 'dig' craftsmanship like that.
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75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts' & 81' CB125S modded to a 'CB200S'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.

Offline Stev-o

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Re: 550F muffler
« Reply #9 on: June 03, 2022, 10:21:40 AM »
Quote from: grcamna2 on June 03, 2022, 10:11:03 AM
Quote from: Stev-o on June 03, 2022, 07:34:16 AM
The 550F muffler in good condition is getting near impossible to find.  Luckily, the stock pipe on my 550F is still in good shape other than the small rust hole near the exit.

As mentioned, Sankei manufactured the pipe, worst part on the bike! But the 4 into one is so sexy looking...



Stev-o,can you read a Honda HM... # off your stock muffler ?

The bike looks Great  8) I love that blue.

Thanks gamna.  Number is HM 390
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'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline grcamna2

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Re: 550F muffler
« Reply #10 on: June 03, 2022, 10:29:04 AM »
Quote from: Stev-o on June 03, 2022, 10:21:40 AM
Quote from: grcamna2 on June 03, 2022, 10:11:03 AM
Quote from: Stev-o on June 03, 2022, 07:34:16 AM
The 550F muffler in good condition is getting near impossible to find.  Luckily, the stock pipe on my 550F is still in good shape other than the small rust hole near the exit.

As mentioned, Sankei manufactured the pipe, worst part on the bike! But the 4 into one is so sexy looking...



Stev-o,can you read a Honda HM... # off your stock muffler ?

The bike looks Great  8) I love that blue.

Thanks gamna.  Number is HM 390

thanks Stev-o,I'm going to do some searches on Ebay.
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75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts' & 81' CB125S modded to a 'CB200S'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.

Offline Kevnz

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Re: 550F muffler
« Reply #11 on: June 03, 2022, 02:19:56 PM »
This is the only shot I have of it. Brilliant bike; I owned it 25 years and never laid a spanner on it apart from regular maintenance and replacing the mufflers. Still had the original collector box, but those mufflers were a work of art, reverse cone with the correct appearance recess at the end, correct bends etc. Perfect. Looks like plenty agree with me about the 550F, I'll let you know how I go. Still putting finishing touches on the 500.
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Offline Little_Phil

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Re: 550F muffler
« Reply #12 on: June 04, 2022, 03:11:24 AM »
Quote from: Stev-o on June 03, 2022, 10:21:40 AM

Thanks gamna.  Number is HM 390

Towards the underside mine is also marked SANKEI 2005.
There was a good looking repro made in Brazil listed a year ago, but can't see it now.
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Offline Deltarider

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Re: 550F muffler
« Reply #13 on: June 04, 2022, 05:02:21 AM »
« Last Edit: June 04, 2022, 05:11:09 AM by Deltarider »
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Offline Little_Phil

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Re: 550F muffler
« Reply #14 on: June 04, 2022, 07:23:05 AM »
There was a picture on the UK site of a member Steph550 who had a complete system (including the flowing down pipes, but presumably single skin) made from s/stl. Looked perfect in the pic, but in her words "not cheap (at all) but worth every penny"
The Brazil one was pretty pricey.
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