Aftermarket Mufflers

17424 Views 31 Replies 17 Participants Last post by Retroben, Jan 28, 2011

Zman76

Discussion Starter · Sep 4, 2010

First Of All, HELLO! This is my first post as I am a newbie. I am a newbie to the wonderful world of motorcycles as well. I decided after many years to finally take the steps toward being a safe and responsible motorcycle rider. Well, I may have gone about it all backwards but I bought the bike before the license! I do have my permit and am scheduled for the safety course so, it's all good. Anyway, back to the topic at hand. I purchased a 1980 CX500 Custom with over 40,000 miles, yeah I know. Well, it is in better shape than you might expect. The biggest issue I am having right now is the mufflers have been horribly modifed or at least I think so! A previous owner decided to knock out the end baffle or cap and now it is wide open back there. This is of course affecting performance. It bogs down a little but mostly back fires. I have searched high and low on the net for a cheap fix to this problem bk I don't really want to refurb this bike or pay more for the pipes than I did the whole bike! What solution could be done to restore the mufflers to as close to original as possible w/o buying all new ones? Thanks!

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Ronster

· #2 · Sep 4, 2010

These should work !!

Replacement muffler generic jc whitney

Dont worry I have 54,000 on mine & the engine case has yet to be cracked open !! ( fingers crossed)...

Zman76

Discussion Starter · #3 · Sep 4, 2010

I see your version of cheap isn't exactly my version....ha ha hah! Do you think I would have to rejet with these?

Cobram

· #4 · Sep 4, 2010

Ronster said:
These should work !!

Replacement muffler generic jc whitney

Dont worry I have 54,000 on mine & the engine case has yet to be cracked open !! ( fingers crossed)...

Yeah...they work, but they start rusting in the box. Cheapest chrome I've ever seen in my life, and they're already rusting enough on the inside to make early morning condensate come out bright orange. Nothing like the OEM Sanke's (NLA) which literally rot off with the chrome still shiny.

I'd opt for some Hardley take-offs before getting those, they're POS IMHE.

Silent-Knight

· #5 · Sep 4, 2010

Zman76 said:
First Of All, HELLO! This is my first post as I am a newbie. I am a newbie to the wonderful world of motorcycles as well. I decided after many years to finally take the steps toward being a safe and responsible motorcycle rider. Well, I may have gone about it all backwards but I bought the bike before the license! I do have my permit and am scheduled for the safety course so, it's all good. Anyway, back to the topic at hand. I purchased a 1980 CX500 Custom with over 40,000 miles, yeah I know. Well, it is in better shape than you might expect. The biggest issue I am having right now is the mufflers have been horribly modifed or at least I think so! A previous owner decided to knock out the end baffle or cap and now it is wide open back there. This is of course affecting performance. It bogs down a little but mostly back fires. I have searched high and low on the net for a cheap fix to this problem bk I don't really want to refurb this bike or pay more for the pipes than I did the whole bike! What solution could be done to restore the mufflers to as close to original as possible w/o buying all new ones? Thanks!

Personally, I would go for the Harley cans also. I got my for $30 and they work pretty good. I didn't have to re-jet to use them. My were newer, so I think I may have a catalytic version. Since most Harley owners opt for new pipes, you could also stop by a Harley shop and see if they have any lying around.

Blindstitch

· #6 · Sep 4, 2010

The ones I had sucked too.

ekimyar

· #7 · Sep 4, 2010

I second the Harley option. I think there's a link in Blindstitch's useful info post that has models, years, and even part numbers. I watched eBay for a few weeks and got mine for 25 or 30 shipped also.

ekimyar

· #8 · Sep 4, 2010

New quick reference doesn't have all the old info, but there's still enough there to do the job. Also, I just used the original exhaust brackets/ passenger footpegs and it worked out ok. Had to turn them I think.

ekimyar

· #9 · Sep 4, 2010

http://globalcxglvtwins.hostingdelivered.com/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=543

forgot the link....

Harry

· #10 · Sep 4, 2010

Yeah I go along with the Harley option, I've been told the 883 mufflers are an easy fit.

One thing you have to hand to a Harley, it's got good chrome on it!

Blindstitch

· #11 · Sep 4, 2010

Ekimyar said:
New quick reference doesn't have all the old info, but there's still enough there to do the job. Also, I just used the original exhaust brackets/ passenger footpegs and it worked out ok. Had to turn them I think.

Actually the old stuff is under the new stuff.

http://choppercharles.com/cs/forums/64164/ShowPost.aspx

CXSarnia

· #12 · Sep 4, 2010

I got these ordered in for me by my local restorer's shop. they aren't a direct match for the custom but almost identical to the Deluxe's mufflers.

they were $65 each and readily available. So far, I'm quite happy with the chrome (2 years and no issues!) Before I get flamed... sorry for the excessive size - I tried to reduce it, but that's as good as I got!

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Shep

· #13 · Sep 4, 2010

Here's what two pairs sound like

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySk_CiWRZPU

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ekimyar

· #14 · Sep 4, 2010

Blindstitch said:
Actually the old stuff is under the new stuff.

http://choppercharles.com/cs/forums/64164/ShowPost.aspx

Sorry stitch, apparently I wasn't on my A game last night!

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OU812

· #15 · Sep 8, 2010

I'm sorry if this topic has been beat to death but I'm just learning about it.I read the attachments & I'm very interested in putting these Harley(yuk) mufflers on.I'm just not sure what to ask for if I go into the Harley shop.I know nothing about Harleys or there models & I would like to quiten down my bike.Could anyone please tell me what to ask for so I dont sound so dumb

thanks

bjbeach

· #16 · Sep 8, 2010

I just installed a set of 2008 Softail mufflers on the weekend for which I paid $50. Apparently the Sportster and Dyna mufflers will work as well. If you go to a dealer don't ask at the parts counter, ask at the service desk or speak directly to a mechanic. The parts counter told me they don't sell take-offs. I paid a mechanic cash for mine.

Much better sound than stock. The sound is louder and deeper.

Randall-in-Mpls

· #17 · Sep 8, 2010

While we're on the topic, what's the quietest Harley muffler (yes, there were some, stock) that might fit my Standard? New cans may be one of it's off-season treats this winter.

Thanks,

R

jasonh

· #18 · Sep 8, 2010

Craigslist and ebay are also good resources for take-off mufflers. Usually the guys that do it themselves will sell them instead of letting the dealership have them. Then again, the guys that do it themselves probably don't buy brand new Harleys.

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OU812

· #19 · Sep 9, 2010

Does anyone know what size the front of the stock muffler is going into the collector.

My Dad who also has a GL500i went to Harley today & they told him he was too late ,they just threw away a bunch of mufflers but they will keep two for him next time they have any.Pretty nice of them I thought.I will check my Harley dealer this weekend

RAGBrian

· #20 · Sep 9, 2010

Check with your friends who own hardley's and still have the original's (and another pair of after market that he wasn't happy with). My friend was really happy to have me haul them off as well as a pair of exhaust pipes for his sportster. Planning to get one pair of them installed soon, as my originals are looking ratty with all that heat tape I keep covering the holes with

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