Buying exhaust systems from Ebay

[cowboyup3371]

Ed's thread about getting the 1100 exhaust systems from Ebay prompted me to look again on an issue I was told about a few weeks ago. It seems my left pipe is about ready to give up the ghost as it's rattling pretty good. According to what I was told, the baffle is about shot in it.

Buying new is out of the question this year as my only choice there is a MAC 4-1 system for about $350. However, I found this link on Ebay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1981-Suzuki-GS550-GS-550-stock-exhaust-system-pipes-headers-mufflers-/110870152095?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item19d060439f&vxp=mtr

that is coming off the same year as my bike. According to the parts fiche, I found out the L and T models for my bike share the same part numbers (didn't realize it the last time I looked as I was only looking at the T part number and Babbitts didn't show the L).

If I try to buy an exhaust system from Ebay, how do I know if it's any good? Are there questions about the insides I should ask the seller and hope and pray he tells the truth? Although the parts fiche doesn't say if any other bike shares my exhaust, what makes each set of pipes different from others?

Or should I just wait and buy a new MAC and rejet?

[Nessism]

Scott,
If your head pipes are still solid you can weld on some Harley mufflers for cheap. I'd go this way unless you are particular about the look. Tkent did this with his 650 and it looks pretty good to me.

[cowboyup3371]

Anything specific about the mufflers I should look for (what model Harley crosses over)? Will I still have to rejet by doing it that way?

[cowboyup3371]

Thanks we'll see how it goes.

I'll shoot Tom a PM

[platinum2]

Thanks we'll see how it goes.

I'll shoot Tom a PM

try dennis kirk they have tons of exhaust ,even aftermarket cone silencers, ,mac is expensive and not rear great,and they dont sound good either

[duaneage]

MAC is junk and not worth the money. Lousy plating, poor baffle design, noisy like a chain saw. And they want 300 bucks for a set.

[cowboyup3371]

So what other options do I have? After speaking to Tom a few days ago, and he reminded me in a PM, the Harley set up is giving him no power whatsoever on his 650. And sadly, the aftermarket exhaust world FORGOT about my bike.

This brings me back to my original question. How do I know if a set of pipes I see on Ebay is worth the purchase? Are there questions I should ask the seller before plopping down $100 or so on a set of used pipes?

[cowboyup3371]

try dennis kirk they have tons of exhaust ,even aftermarket cone silencers, ,mac is expensive and not rear great,and they dont sound good either

Even Dennis Kirk only shows the MAC exhaust system for my bike.

[Steve]

This brings me back to my original question. How do I know if a set of pipes I see on Ebay is worth the purchase?

I'm afraid it's the same with ANY used item on eBay, you have to hope and pray.

.

[Dogma]

I've always assumed that if the muffler looks clean and solid at the tip, it's probably solid inside. No guarantee, of course. I see the set you linked is sold. I hope you got 'em, because they look pretty decent to me.

[cowboyup3371]

I've always assumed that if the muffler looks clean and solid at the tip, it's probably solid inside. No guarantee, of course. I see the set you linked is sold. I hope you got 'em, because they look pretty decent to me.

No, don't have the money right now but trying to learn hence the questions. Save me some time when the money pops in.

[tkent02]

Scott, keep an eye out on C list locally, and this forum, someone will be parting out a 550 soon enough. Or buy a dead 550 yourself, keep the pipes and make some cash off of it. Your baffle isn't going to fail suddenly and leave you stranded. I got a dead 550 with beautiful pipes and decent engine and bodywork for $75. It wasn't really dead, just some bonehead took it apart. See if 650G pipes will fit, they are more plentiful. Be patient

[Katarat]

Take a hole saw that just fits inside the back of the Harley muffler & cut the weld out. Then take a broom stick and knock the baflle out the back of it. They arent that loud and it will help some. Thats what I did on my fatboy before I put a Supertrapp on it. Macs are a waste of money

[tkent02]

Take a hole saw that just fits inside the back of the Harley muffler & cut the weld out. Then take a broom stick and knock the baflle out the back of it. They arent that loud and it will help some. Thats what I did on my fatboy before I put a Supertrapp on it. Macs are a waste of money

How loud was it and how much better did it run?
My 650G is slow with those mufflers....

[cowboyup3371]

Scott, keep an eye out on C list locally, and this forum, someone will be parting out a 550 soon enough. Or buy a dead 550 yourself, keep the pipes and make some cash off of it. Your baffle isn't going to fail suddenly and leave you stranded. I got a dead 550 with beautiful pipes and decent engine and bodywork for $75. It wasn't really dead, just some bonehead took it apart. See if 650G pipes will fit, they are more plentiful. Be patient

I'll do this since I don't have the ready cash right now anyway and based on a phone call today I doubt I will for any kind of time soon.

Thanks all.