Topic: To build or buy... that is the question...

[KB02]

So, I had gotten it into my head that I wanted to build my own custom exhaust. You know, just to set the bike apart from others. Well last night I sat down ans was looking things (prices) over, and figured out that with the cost of the materials and tools that I would need, I would be in the price range of a Kerker. A Yamiya pipe would cost even less. BUT, there are a lot of bikes out there with either a Kerker or a Yamiya pipe on them, so mine would stand out less (sorry, a MAC pipe will never live on one of my bikes if I have anything to say about it).

For the shear fact of uniqueness alone I'd rather build my own then buy off the shelf. AND I can use the tool again, for other projects. BUT I've never build an exhaust before and don't know how it will would out and it may all be for not if I look at it and say that it looks like crap...

I don't know...

What would you all suggest? There is certainly enough information on these boards and the web that designing the system would easy enough. Granted, making a phone call and pulling out my credit card has been proven to be easy as well....

[rhinoracer]

Tube bending and fabrication takes some practice, so most likely the first one you build won't come out perfect. You also need welding experience to make nice welds in thin gauge round tube (or a TIG welder and TIG experience).

When you get your bender you need to make some practice bends, then make some 'reference' bends which you'll save as reference for all your future bends. You need to mark where you clamped the tube and where the actuat bending started.

Then start by making a rough sample of your header either by bending or by cutting and welding to get all your dimensions, angles and distances for the bends.

Trace your pattern on the shop floor or a large piece of cardboard and use your 'reference' bend to determine start and end of each bend.

Transfer the first dimension to the straight tube, bend, compare to the floor pattern, transfer the next one and so on.

And remember, all four down pipes have to be bent to match each other or the header will look crooked when viewed from the side. And I don't mean make identical bends on all four b/c the exhaust ports on the head don't come out straight forward, the center ones are angled to the sides differently than the outer ones so you'll have to compound this angle to your bends.

[bozo4onion]

More MAC bashing? Another pipe snob. Mine looks nice is highly functional and sounds great.

[ProTeal55]

I had a MAC 4 into 1 on my old CB750 and didnt have any issues with it what so ever.
I made up my own exhaust on my CB450 (now for sale) and learned allot. I didnt make it up from scratch, rather just took two exhausts and made them one (stock Honda CL pipes & Triumph TT pipes). Ceramic black paint and headwrap covered my ugly welds..

I say make your own and see what happenes...

[bill440cars]

      Do you know anyone who works at an automotive muffler shop? If, you've got some kind of connection there, why not take your question to them, tell them what you're looking doing and see what kind of price they'd give you to do th bends and welding? I have no idea what the price range might be, but I'm thinking of doing that on one later on. I mean, they make up exhaust systems for cars and trucks, why not a motorcycle? If you decide to check that route out, let us know what you come up with, okay? Good luck with your quest.

                               Later on, Bill

[KB02]

And remember, all four down pipes have to be bent to match each other or the header will look crooked when viewed from the side. And I don't mean make identical bends on all four b/c the exhaust ports on the head don't come out straight forward, the center ones are angled to the sides differently than the outer ones so you'll have to compound this angle to your bends.

Well, I was thinking about making up a 4 into 4. I've still got the stock headers I was planning on using as a reference, and then custom mufflers. Actually, that's the part I'm worried least about - If I do make them, should I make them repackable?

I do have some welding experience. I don't consider myself an expert or anything, but I am cofident that I could pull it off and have it look good (with a little bit of cleaning up... here and there...). And I do have welding equipment available to me as well.

JOE!! Long time no hear. Where've you been? (or have I just been missing the posts where you have been posting?) Actually, your bikes are some of the reason I like the thought of building my own pipes. It just makes it stand out that much more, you know?

Bill - Most of the shops around here look at you like you've got three heads if even think about mentioning motorcycles. And if you stop by any of the local motorcycle shops they say things like, "Wow. That sounds pretty cool. Who could you get to do that for you?" or, "yeah, we had one guy here that does stuff like that on the side. I could have him call you..." (and then after mentioning that it's a (GASP) Honda, you never hear from them).

I recently moved, though and there is a shop near my home that looks kind of scary. There are two cars that are always there: a small, purple, 70's wagon (like a gremlin or something) with 14" drag tires in the back and a 70's Firebird with stovepipes for exhaust coming out the back. I never see any other cars around, and while they have a gas pump, their price is always abuot 20 cents more than the mobile station 100 yards away. So, terribly frightening, but probably my best bet, huh?   

And, Yes, My name is Bob, and I am a MAC basher. I had a MAC on a bike once and I couldn't stand the thing. I hated the look, the sound and the fit. But, hey, that's me. If you've got one, and like it, then that's all that matters. 

[bradweingartner]

      Do you know anyone who works at an automotive muffler shop? If, you've got some kind of connection there, why not take your question to them, tell them what you're looking doing and see what kind of price they'd give you to do th bends and welding? I have no idea what the price range might be, but I'm thinking of doing that on one later on. I mean, they make up exhaust systems for cars and trucks, why not a motorcycle? If you decide to check that route out, let us know what you come up with, okay? Good luck with your quest.

                               Later on, Bill

Muffler shops are all but useless for anything custom, and besides, most of them don't have the ability to do the small radius bends we'd need. Never mind the ugly ass crush bends :-(

I'd say go custom. All of the pre-mandrel-bends will set you back a little bit but the mock-up really shouldn't be bad. I've done several custom projects for cars with good results and I wouldn't say I'm any sort of expert. Take your time and measure 10 times, cut once (or twice...)