Topic: Need help deciding which exhaust system to buy: Megaphone versus Drag Pipes

[3daysnotice]

    Hello all, this is my first post.  I've been on and reading all the great ideas about tuning our beloved cb's for about a month now, and have replaced most of the 30 year old electronics because of it.  But now I am stuck in deciding which exhaust to put on my bike.  I drive a 1978 cb750a (Hondamatic), so when it comes to exhausts my options are limited.  In fact the only two I've found are both MAC products.  I would buy something else if possible, as the consensus seems to be that MAC is not so good, but have found nothing else.  Likewise, the option of sawing off my factory mufflers and putting on a different ones is out, because the original headers are black and gold from 30 years of use.  A performance increase would be nice (I'm only going to put carbs on beyond this), but my real reason for an upgrade is volume.  Hondamatics are too quiet, and I want to be heard, as I live around Chicago!

So the problem is in choosing between a MAC Megaphone system (on ebay), versus MAC Drag Pipes with baffles (on Cycle X).  Which is the better system for dependable daily driving and volume?  I like the look of the Drag Pipes more, and they sound mean as hell on YouTube, but it seems like exhaust fumes would be going directly into your lungs at every stop-light?!  Some direction would be greatly appreciated!!

[johnyvilla]

Get the cycle x drag pipes if you like how the look and dig the sound. I wouldn't worry about fumes.

Welcome to the forum. Where are you at?

[jx25]

x2
CycleX is a great place to deal with.  I have their 4-2-1 exhaust on my cb750k and it's very durable and high quality

[3daysnotice]

I live in Hammond, Indiana... close enough to Chicago.  I considered the 4-2-1, but I am big on things looking even.  Gotta keep the pipes on both sides.  One post I read, stated that pipes without a muffler, like the Drag Pipes, rust-out.  If you can't tell I really want the Drag Pipes, I just need someone to convince me it's not a mistake!!

[The_Crippler]

Anybody know of anyone making drag pipes for the CB650C?

[MJL]

I have some kind of weird 4-2 pipes on my 750, and I recently took the baffles out to se how it would sound. It sounds good at idle, but at speed it is loud as hell, unbearably loud, even with earplugs.  If I was you, I wouldn't get loud pipes just because you will have to live with that noise everytime you go out, but I understand wanting to ride around Chicago. I've been there many times in a semi truck.