Topic: Help Save the 404's

[OldSchool_IsCool]

I don't know if I did the right thing or not, but it just seemed so right at the time!  I went to a junker today in search of a 750K1 front fender.  I told him that a KO or early K2 would also work.  He said "K0!  Man! If I had one of those, it would be up on eBay so fast!!"  So I said, "Well, then maybe you have one for my 450 twin".  "Oh sure, I got one of those".  I'm hoping he doesn't ever find out they are the same fender cuz I may want to do some more picking there 

Anyway, on to the subject of this thread.  While rooting around in his back barn, I came across one HM404 exhaust pipe.  KM404's fit '77 and '78 550K's.  I tell him "Man! if you had the other 3, I'd sell Grandma!"  So we poke around some more but alas, no more 404's.  On to tanks, side covers and seats.  Struck out on all three.  But, while searching for seats, he happened to notice what looked like a complete set of 404's hanging from the rafters.  They looked fairly clean, so I asked him to bring 'em down. 

Short story long, I looked 'em over, phoned Grandma and told her to start packing!  I now have a complete set of 404's hanging from MY rafters!  I just couldn't pass up finding a complete set of 4-4 pipes!  I currently run 4-4 headers with aftermarket slip-on's.

Now that I have them, how do I restore them?  They are dusty and a bit of surface rust.  I have a little experience with polishing, but don't wana screw them up.  What would you do?

[05c50]

They look like they're in very good shape. I'd start by cleaning them with Nevr-Dull That might be all that is needed.

..................Paul

[ekpent]

Nice pick on the pipes-GOTTA buy those kinds of items when they appear.I would not be afraid to gently work those over with some 0000 steel wool soaked with dishwashing soap straight from the bottle as a lube.Better keep that place a secret 

[faux fiddy]

Yea! The moving blanket is a good start. Maybe find an airtight case to put them in, evacuate the air and fill it with nitrogen, or argon. The us constitution uses a system like this to prevent deterioration. (he he)

I have heard of a chrome touch up 'plating pen' that was sold by jc whitney.It works with batteries. No idea if they still have it, or if they are even in business.

Googling I found these.
http://sra-solder.com/pen_plating.htm
http://shorinternational.com/Rectifiers.htm
http://shorinternational.com/PlateHobby.htm
http://www.dalmarplating.com/brush.htm
http://dalmarplating.com/Plating%20Emblems.htm
http://www.caswellplating.com/kits/rhodium.html

[klindsey]

So, uh, where'd you say this shop was?

[faux fiddy]

I recently got a set of original 4 into four that are missing bits of chrome, myself.

I just went out to take a pic or two.

I think they need a bit more than the chrome pen.
(see if the additional options post the pics)

[Alan F.]

A little aluminum sheet and some JB weld any you're back on the road

[faux fiddy]

Not to hijack the thread, but lots of information here.

http://www.elsberg-tuning.dk/the%20bikes.html

Anybody around  doing this yet?

[kck3]

Oldschool-if you dont mind me asking, what did you end up paying for those 4 into 4's?

[OldSchool_IsCool]

Oldschool-if you dont mind me asking, what did you end up paying for those 4 into 4's?

Well, at the risk of peeps giggling at my impulse buy, I got 'em for $350.  I wish I would have done better research on 'em.  I've seen NOS pipes for around $200-$250 each, but that's NOS and you would need to find all 4, which is the REAL trick I would guess.  I'm not sure if I got a good deal or not.  If they polish up well and the innards are good, then I'd say yes!

[kck3]

Sounds good to me.

[Hush]

I paid $500 for a set of 4 into 2's all up with shipping so you did good.

[eurban]

Oldschool-if you dont mind me asking, what did you end up paying for those 4 into 4's?

Well, at the risk of peeps giggling at my impulse buy, I got 'em for $350.  I wish I would have done better research on 'em.  I've seen NOS pipes for around $200-$250 each, but that's NOS and you would need to find all 4, which is the REAL trick I would guess.  I'm not sure if I got a good deal or not.  If they polish up well and the innards are good, then I'd say yes!

My experience with the 404s is that the internal baffling pieces tend to deteriorate and break loose, rattling about inside when you shake the pipe.  Little bits and pieces are not too big of a deal but heavy bits shaking around indicate a goner.  The set that came original on my 78K has loose baffling even though they look pretty nice on the outside.  I hope yours are in good shape. Super fine steel wool and WD40 will take alot of surface rust off of the chrome; give it a try. . .I replaced my originals with a NOS set but kept the old pipes to be modified at some point.  I will eventually cut off the end caps, clean out the inside bafflings and modify so that they can accept a Supertrapp style core/multidisc endcap.  A bit of ceramic coating and they should be a pretty slick/racy set of pipes.
BTW, David Silver Spares sells an "OEM replacement" for the 77/78K four pipe exhaust for aproximately $900 US.  If yours turn out to be OK inside then I think you did all right . . . .

[OldSchool_IsCool]

I will eventually cut off the end caps, clean out the inside bafflings and modify so that they can accept a Supertrapp style core/multidisc endcap.  A bit of ceramic coating and they should be a pretty slick/racy set of pipes.

I was thinking the same thing.  Maybe rebuild the tip in such a way that it's removable.  Maybe a sleeve with slots, a pin or three on the barrel and a set screw on the bottom to lock it down.

[fasturd]

On the kind of corrosion you have I would use metal prep. and 0000 steel wool. It leaves a zince phosphate coating and is the BOMB for cleaning chrome. Check out my project 13 link to see results. I have used it for years and exhausts really seem to benifit from it.

Good luck.