exhaust

[calipanda]

hey guys..this may be a stupid question but here goes...

there are holes on both of my mufflers. they seem to be getting bigger...should I change em?

[unitivegreybird]

yes. if you can find a decent exhaust than do it. carb's need a certain amount of back pressure from the exhaust to function properly. start getting exhaust leaks and you start getting performance losses.

[calipanda]

i was thinkin about switching to either an aftermarket or universal set of pipes...any suggestions? I will probably take this into a shop for that work, so is there anything in particular that I should know to make this as easy as possible for myself??

[jefferson]

I am not sure if they are still available, but you could install some Supertrapp mufflers in place of your mufflers. It would require cutting your mufflers off and welding some pipe in to attach the mufflers to and then a mounting bracket. I was thinking Ron did this and did a writeup in the old newsletters. It is really about the best way to go. You wouldn't have to use Supertrapps specifically, but you would need two canisters from some exhaust company. It wouldn't be cheap, but I feel still the best way to go.

Jeff

[Rikugun]

here's a MAC system on E-bay ...   Niche Cycle, not my sale...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Yamaha-XZ550-Vision-2-2-Black-MAC-Exhaust-System-XZ-550-804-0733-/160890924660?hash=item2575d8ae74&item=160890924660&pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr

[Re-Vision]

New old stock.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Yamaha-550-Vision-Muffler-Assy-New-Old-Stock-/170946298773?fits=Make:Yamaha|Model:XZ&hash=item27cd318395&item=170946298773&pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr

BDC

[pullshocks]

Incredible.

[zore]

Not perfect and maybe the pictures don't tell the full story, but this would probably be an improvement over what you currently have.  You can probably find a nicer set for 50 to 100 bucks more if you keep looking.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Yamaha-XZ550-XZ-550-Vision-2420-Exhaust-Muffler-Silencer-/360512304679?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item53f0353627&vxp=mtr

[Night Vision]

I have a nice set I'll willing to deal on see the swap page

[QBS]

My '83 wears its OE system.  Many years ago it too developed small holes in the usual places.  Over the years, the occasional dab of well placed J-B Weld has served very well to block hole growth and maintain system integrity.  All the holes are on the inside/underside of the mufflers and are easy to feel, but hard to see. 

Internal water condensation is the killer of exhaust systems.  I think a big reason that my exhaust system has held up so well when others haven't is that I have always been really insistant that any time the bike is started for any reason, it is not shut down until the entire exhaust system is very hot to the touch.  Especially to the very tip end of the exhaust outlet. Doing this eliminates acidic water from the insides of any exhaust system.

[Night Vision]

drilling 1/16" holes on the bottom of the exhaust about an inch from the endcaps and just before where the collector meets the head pipes sheds most of the trapped condensation... ask Jason  ;)

[pullshocks]

On my 83's original system the center collector box is where the rust happened

[The Prophet of Doom]

drilling 1/16" holes on the bottom of the exhaust about an inch from the endcaps and just before where the collector meets the head pipes sheds most of the trapped condensation... ask Jason  ;)

drilling 1/16" holes on the bottom of the exhaust in New Zealand would make it fail the WoF safety checks

[Rikugun]

drilling 1/16" holes on the bottom of the exhaust in New Zealand would make it fail the WoF safety checks

My '82 Kawi has condensate/drain holes in the bottom of the mufflers as many models do to this day. I can't imagine they require special exhausts for the NZ market...do they?

[Re-Vision]

I can't imagine any inspector in Texas going to the trouble of bending over and looking at or even listening to a muffler.      BDC

[Rikugun]

NJ made motorcycles "self inspection" a few years ago.

[RedBaron]

New old stock.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Yamaha-550-Vision-Muffler-Assy-New-Old-Stock-/170946298773?fits=Make:Yamaha|Model:XZ&hash=item27cd318395&item=170946298773&pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr

BDC

How many times does this show up I wonder? About once?