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Modify stock exhaust

  • Thread starter Thread starter RocThaBeard
  • Start date Start date
R

RocThaBeard

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I have an 85 gs550l. I would like to modify the existing stock exhaust to be louder. I've read many posts from ALL OVER that state having to either re jet or readjust the air fuel mixture after baffle removal. I'm looking for any info to modify with the least cash out of pocket right now. Any advice or points into the right direction would be greatly appreciated.
 
The "right direction" would be to not modify your stock exhaust, especially if your goal is to make it louder.

Not going to go into "preaching" mode, but that's not what we motorcyclists need.

"Least cash out of pocket"? That's easy. Just cut the pipes and don't bother to spend any money on new jets.
The engine will self-destruct soon enough, preventing any more outlay of money.

To do it a bit more properly, get a proper 4 into 1 exhaust system and jet accordingly.
Yeah, you might spend more than you just paid for the bike, but it will be done RIGHT.

Oh, ... first post, ... welcome.

Hope your part of "upstate NY" is not the part of the Adirondacks that doesn't tolerate anything louder than a whisper.
Yeah, I was there for a while, they have strict limits on when you can mow your lawn or use a chain saw.

.
 
By least amount of money I certainly didn't mean zero. The sarcasm is appreciated. Thanks for the welcome too. Yes I've thought about a 4 into 1 but still I would have to jet it and adjust the mixture.
 
Since you are going to have to go through the jetting process anyway, why not drop the coin, get a nice 4-into-1 and enjoy a GOOD sound (which does not have to be that much louder)?

Actually, some of the better-made systems claim that you don't need to re-jet, if you use the street baffle.

Simply chopping the pipes or even gutting the mufflers will make your bike sound like CRAP. Besides, depending on the condition of your exhaust system, somebody might pay enough foi it that it might pay for half of your 4-1.

.
 
Stock exhausts that aren't rusted to death are becoming valuable on these old machines. I wish mine were still quiet (Rotted chambers inside.)

That said I used a hole saw to open the end of the muffler, and removed all of the tubes and plates that had fell loose and were clanging around. Pretty much the same thing people do to make things loud, but had to do it to save myself from losing my mind from the clanging. It's louder, and it doesn't clang.

I did rejet, and it was absolutely necessary to as far as I'm concerned. All of the noise is much more annoying than I'd thought it would be. Ideally I'd own a healthy, clean stock exhaust and a good fitting aftermarket exhaust that maybe weren't this loud (People begin to turn toward me at around 70 yards away, but I tend to spend almost all of my time above 5000 Rs). At the end of the day a gutted exhaust doesn't sound like a performance exhaust either :/. I feel a little embarrassed at times. You won't regret finding an aftermarket exhaust and rejetting. There's a pretty good chance regret can be found inside the stock exhaust. It'd be a lot nicer if it were a matter of drilling a few rivets out and seeing how it sounded for a while before returning, but it's a one way street on these (well ones like mine at least).

Now I'm sitting around wondering if I can find a way to wrap muffler packing around a perforated tube and packing these things back up like a dirtbike exhaust. I'm not even old or anything, it's just that "straight" piped gets annoying quick on the road. Have fun with whatever you decide to do, but do plan on rejetting. If you can find any way to get into an aftermarket exhaust first I'd recommend it over modification.
 
Thanks Red Baron. I don't want obnoxious loud straight pipes. I really want a more sporty sound. Steve that's a great idea. Never thought about someone possibly interested in purchasing an unmolested stock set.
 
If it's a good example of how things are, if it were a set for an 8 valve 1100 that were as cosmetically clean as mine and intact inside I'd give you this whole system, a vance and hines pipe (bought the too low version), and an unknown header that came off an 1100GL I have. That's about how bad straight stuff sounds lol. Every bike I have has some sort of performance muffler, but this thing's noise makes me feel like a hillbilly.
 
Someone drilled out the end muffler cap on my old 1000S mufflers. The tone of the sound was crappy so I welded them closed. Huge improvement.
 
Sorry, let me offer something productive. If your stock exhaust is shot, take it to the muffler shop and cut it to modify for slip on. Then get mufflers that have the right amount of growl for you. With the stock headers, you might be able to get away with stock jetting. If you were close to me, and had a 550, I'd let you try it with my old stock mufflers.
 
I like aggressive exhaust noise also and hate agreeing with anyone:rolleyes:
BUT I have never heard a modded stock exhaust that sounded good and you will LOSE power IMO even with proper jetting.

Also look at danmoto exhausts they used to have a lot of inexpensive parts you may be able to adapt.
There were also a bunch of chinese silencers on e-bay a while back that looked nice, I heard on other forms they were well built for the money.
 
RocThaBeard said:
I have an 85 gs550l. I would like to modify the existing stock exhaust to be louder. I've read many posts from ALL OVER that state having to either re jet or readjust the air fuel mixture after baffle removal. I'm looking for any info to modify with the least cash out of pocket right now. Any advice or points into the right direction would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

Dead cheap and simple way to make it louder:
Take a brush pole, sharpen one end, and ram it right up the the muffler.
There ya go.
Remember to remove the brush pole before you go out into traffic.
 
redbaron, someone over on kawasakimotorcycles.org(i think that's the one at any rate) had an exhaust on a kz1100(?) that had the aftermarket with removable caps and baffles, and what she did was took a 2 foot piece of pipe, about the length of the cans, and cross drilled the pipes every half inch to 1 inch, used the can packing, slipped the new "baffle" and actually really enjoyed the improvement. me on the other hand, bought a stock kz police exhaust that has the baffles punched out and i kinda dig how it sounds, but that's just me and MHO. you might be able to cut the can ends off, make some new baffles, and reweld the ends back on. if you were up here in WA, i'd do the welding for you.

to the OP, don't ruin a perfectly good exhaust. like what Steve has already mentioned, good contition original exhausts are going for some pretty good coin right now and could get you alot further looks, sound, and performance wise than just punching out the cans or just hacking them off.
 
Grimly said:
Dead cheap and simple way to make it louder:
Take a brush pole, sharpen one end, and ram it right up the the muffler.
There ya go.
Remember to remove the brush pole before you go out into traffic.
Click to expand...


hey, you just gave me an idea for an anti-tailgater device. just hook up one can to an exhaust cut out like you see on some old "street" cars, and when someone starts riding your hind quarters like a jackzz, flip a switch. i think they'll get the idea pretty quick
 
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