Topic: CB500/550 exhaust tips or end caps

[Scott S]

 I'm doing a sympathetic preservation or restoration of a '71 CB500  K0.
 The chrome on the exhaust cleaned up nice. But the end of the mufflers,  was it painted black? Gloss, satin or flat?
 Should I touch up the end of these stock 4-4 pipes?

[TwoTired]

They were flat black when new.

[Stev-o]

 Should I touch up the end of these stock 4-4 pipes?

Yes, use high temp paint, of course.   The IRC tire looks good!

[HondaMan]

While not OEM...may I suggest drilling 2 small holes in the bottom (about 5 and 7 o'clock positions) of each rear baffle? This will greatly help dry out the pipes and let them live longer.

I'm doing a resto on a 1974 CB550K1. I'll be putting the holes in the baffles just because they are still OEM and we'd like to keep them. It leaks so much oil (from age) that the smoke has likely preserved the pipes for the past few years.

[Scott S]

 Drill the holes in the end caps? Or underneath?
 I already made sure the drain holes were clear.

 Define "small holes"..... 1/8"?