[Ablakeley]

Hey everyone,

I’m new to the forum and motorcycles. I recently picked up a stock 79 cx500c. The mufflers are rusted out on the undersides, but the H block is fine (for now). I was hoping for some advice on plug and play options to replace the mufflers or even the exhaust system, as long as that’s all I’d need to change. I plan to use the bike for my daily commute. Any recommendations are appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

 

[reclinedrelic]

Many on here use Harley-Davidson muffler take-offs from a Dyna or Sportster. Enter "HD mufflers" into the search box of the forum, you'll find lots of information. Search results for query: HD mufflers

 

[Sidecar Bob]

Welcome to the forum. Please add your location and your bike's model and model year to your profile so that you don't have to remember to tell us every time and we don't have to keep asking when you forget (see Forum Settings link in my signature).

And welcome to the world of antique vehicle ownership (they own us, not the other way around). Your bike is about 4 decades old and the Previous Owners may or may not have done the maintenance necessary to keep it safe & reliable so it is highly recommended to download the Factory Shop Manual for your model (available through the CX Wiki - link in my signature) and go through all of the service procedures, regardless of whether your bike has reached the specified mileage.
I also recommend looking on all rubber parts with suspicion because rubber does not age gracefully. Check the date codes on your tires and replace them if they are over 5 years old no matter how good they look & feel (old rubber simply cannot flow around the irregularities in the asphalt well enough to grip, especially if it is cool or wet). If your bike still has the original rubber brake line(s) (should be replaced every 2 or 3 fluid changes = 5 or 6 years) I recommend shopping for modern stainless braided ones (they last practically forever and double the life of the fluid). And don't forget things like the rad hoses and the boot between the engine and swingarm (they can crack on the bottom where you don't see it).

BTW: One of the reasons so many of us like Harley mufflers is that they are high quality items and you can get them cheap because so many people buy Harleys and have the dealer install louder mufflers before they even take it around the block to see what the original ones are like. I think I paid about $10 for the ones that have been on my GoldWing since '97 and they last an average of about 7 winters on the CX I drive on salted roads and in snow (nothing I had before lasted more than 2 or 3 winters).