Topic: CB750K exhaust. URGENT NEED HELP!

[import_tuner13]

Recently acquired a 1978 cb750k, exhausts were rotted out.  found somebody local selling exhausts from a 77 750k.   One has rust spots, they claim it can be repaired, the rest look good (at least on the outside, from pictures)  how can you tell if an exhaust is good? exact words from listing are:
"Full exhaust from a '77 cb750 Honda. One of them has some rust holes as seen in pic but would be worth it to repair as these are $1200 new. Price is firm, I've seen them go on ebay for 300 in this condition but I don't feel like shipping them. The bike was dismantled in '83 and parts stored indoors since so all parts are extremely clean."

not too familiar with motorcycles so any help would be appreciated, and if I am missing anything let me know.  Thank you so much!

[KingCustomCycles.com]

They rust from the inside out.  Any place that is actually showing through the chrome you can bet there are many more just about to break through.  There are many options besides OEM but a good OEM set is $$$$. 

[import_tuner13]

ok.. but if 3 out of 4 of the exhausts are not rusted out.....and they are selling them for $60... is it a good deal?

[KingCustomCycles.com]

Yes.

[import_tuner13]

sorry to keep asking questions.  actually, this is the link.  can you tell anything from the pictures?

http://nh.craigslist.org/mcy/2004919840.html 

just don't want to buy something that turns out to be a failure. 

[GammaFlat]

A better view of those pipes would be from the rear.  They often failed by rusting around the baffle at the end of the exhaust.  If 3 out of 4 pipes are in nice shape, you're a long way toward a good exhaust system for an excellent price.  Now that you've posted the location, you'd better get moving. 

[import_tuner13]

ok, picked up the exhaust.  had him use an air compressor to blow through just to make sure that they weren't clogged.  the rear is a little rusty, chrome on outside is in excellent condition.  one of the pipes is almost completely rotted around....and there is fluff inside?  is that supposed to be there?

[import_tuner13]

should i repair the exhaust or just change that one pipe?  all in all i am rather impressed with the condition.  any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Alan F.]

You could attempt to repair that one pipe if you were itching to ride, I'd just JB-weld some sheetmetal around that muffler and hold i in place with a few large hose clamps....

There shouldn't be any 'fluff' inside those mufflers, they weren't that type.

Yes to have a nice set of stock mufflers you should probably store those in a nice place for the winter and begin searching for another replacement. It's not uncommon for someone to make one good set of stock pipes by breaking up several sets, you're miles ahead by only needing one.  $60 was an absolute steal, good work.

What part of NH are you in? Join up at www.nehondaguys.info
Alan

[import_tuner13]

so if there is "fluff"  i should remove it then?  i am going to seal the exhaust in a few days and don't know if i should repair it with said "fluff"  in it   

[GammaFlat]

Probably a rodent nest .  You can leave it if you like.  It'll get hot enough to burn out.  Alternately, the previous owner (affectionately known as "PO" around here) may have tried to quiet things down with some "stuffing".  Is this stuff like insulation?.. steel wool-ish?  Obviously, if it's flammable, it'll get burned up which might be dangerous - spewing a trail of "stuffing" on fire.