Shop & Think, before ya Buy

I started searching the Web Sites for ''Exhaust'' pipes. I learned of a
couple of
WebSites from the previous post about ''pipes''. I admitted, I wanted, a
set of new exhaust, with some sound. Never said, I wanted them for
safety, remember. (grin)(NOTE) actually, my wife pushed me into buying ''sound pipes'', When we
rode last saturday to Jefferson, every bike had sound, but ours, and she
said, lets get new pipes. I want ours to sound like a motorcycle. Now
she said this, not me.
So don't get excited. (grinning)The main subject of my post here, is one should shop for information and
for prices when buying motorcycle stuff. Of course this is my opinion. I
usually try to educate myself, when I purchase expensive stuff.
I mean household stuff too, like furniture. appliances, you name it.I found the ''pipes',' that I wanted, like Vance & Hines, cruizer
exhausts, 349.95 and Cobra drag pipes, for,314.95. This was OnLine
shopping.I took my information to my local Honda Store, and got a price that is
$15-25 cheaper, and there's no shipping cost.
Another factor with Local is, I'll receive them in a couple of days.
Online, it could be 7 working days, usually.Glad I gave my local folks a chance.

 

Since you mentioned both, I only hope you decided on Vance & Hines instead
of the Cobras. Otherwise, you'll find out just where your money savings is
placed.

Cobras are notorious for their lack of workmanship and low effective chrome
work. A low layered chrome will result is blueing of the pipes. A good layer
of chrome will hold up. Another bad thing about Cobra is they use hose
clamps to attach their pipes....and if you want to read the newspaper, just
dive into the box when your pipes come in.

 

IN PART about buying ''pipes''
-------BJAY wrote-----I found the ''pipes',' that I wanted, like Vance & Hines, cruizer
exhausts, 349.95 and Cobra drag pipes, for,314.95. This was OnLine
shopping.I took my information to my local Honda Store, and got a price that is
$15-25 cheaper, and there's no shipping cost. Another factor with Local
is, I'll receive them in a couple of days. Online, it could be 7 working
days, usually.
Glad I gave my local folks a chance.-------------------Brian says------------
Since you mentioned both, I only hope you decided on Vance & Hines
instead of the Cobras. Otherwise, you'll find out just where your money
savings is placed.Cobras are notorious for their lack of workmanship and low effective
chrome work. A low layered chrome will result is blueing of the pipes. A
good layer of chrome will hold up. Another bad thing about Cobra is they
use hose clamps to attach their pipes....and if you want to read the
newspaper, just dive into the box when your pipes come in.

That's right, I have heard about the Cobras ''turning blue'', in the
last couple of days. So, I don't think I'll buy them
Another good point of V&H Pipes, they have the chrome guards, I found
out.Brian, do you have V&H on your Shadow?What I don't know is, the degree of the sound of the ones I am looking
at. I certainly don't want ''loud ass'', ones., like ''straights''...no
way. I just want some rumble, some noise.The V&H, are identified as ''Cruizer'' exhausts. They have some called
''drag pipes'', some called ''straights''. I thought the ''cruizer''
ones, read like they might have a fairly low rumble, but produce some
nice noise.The other good point was, they have removeable ''baffles''....that seems
like a good idea.I havent ordered them, yet. I am doing the thinking right now. Trying to
find a Bike, like mine, with V&H pipes, to hear them.BRIAN, what does that mean? ''if I want to read the newspaper, then dive
into the box, the Cobras were shipped in'' I guess that's what you ment.
I Know I should understand the meaning? (but,I dont?)
---------------bjay------------

'Ya'll take care'' --BJAY--

 

The Vance and Hines pipes are worth the money.. The baffles can be removed,
and modified, if you like.. You can tinker with them until you get the sound
you want.. All the Vance and Hines pipes I've seen have come with full
length heat shields to protect them from blueing, also.. Mine have been on
my Vulcan for about six or seven years and they still polish out as bright
as new ones.. I recommend Vance and Hines for the money's worth.. Just my
opinion, of course..

I also tried some Cobras on my Vulcan and didn't have very much satisfaction
with them.. The sound wasn't right and they blued before I got home after
they were installed.. Regards and good luck..

Your friend in Irving
Bill Walker

 

The comment means just what it says. Cobras are packed in just newspaper. If
you want to find out what's on the minds of the people who pack your pipes,
just look at the date and section of the newspaper they are packed in. When
my Dad had his Cobra pipes installed, I was standing there when they
unpacked the pipes from the box. I couldn't believe how they were packed.
Then when I saw that they were connecting the heat shields using hose
clamps, that was enough for me. I told him he wouldn't be satisfied with
them. Sure enough, they were blued from the manifold to the first bend
before he got home. I polished it back out, but everytime he'd start the
bike up, they'd go right back blue. They looked like shit from the start,
and didn't improve with time.

Mine? The only two makers who build pipes for my bike is Mac and Jardine.
Since I don't like Mac, because of the same as Cobras...I had to go with
Jardine. I would like to go to a bender and have some pipes made to fit and
route the way I want, but I haven't. The biggest problem on mine is stock,
the pipes routed one on each side. Aftermarket has the left side wrapping
under the gas tank right in front of the back wheel (you're probably
wondering about the gas tank being right in front of the back wheel).
Instead of that, I'd rather the left side come out and then go right in
front of the gas tank between the tank and the starter and then down to the
right side (and that probably really has you confused). I'm just not sure if
there would be enough clearance to keep the pipe cool without causing
problems for the painted areas. There wouldn't be enough heat to cause a
problem for the gas tank since it sits far enough back.

Other things I'm looking at doing to this bike before summer (if it works
out) is building a luggage rack, a cage over the gauges and maybe add a
gizmo over the front fender to match the luggage rack.

 

I've got Cobra's on my Intruder and they have blued. They sound ok but I
don't like the blue.

 

subject: Cobra or V&H exhaust pipesBill Walker says)
I also tried some Cobras on my Vulcan and didn't have very much
satisfaction with them.. The sound wasn't right and they blued before I
got home after they were installed..   Regards and good luck..
Your friend in Irving
Bill Walker------bjay----here
So, Bill, you got rid of em? and got ya a set of the better ones, V&H?
Do you know the ''description name'' of them? The ones I'm thinking on,
are called ''cruiser Exhaust'' by V&H.
yeah, after reading what Brian said, and a few others around my
neighborhood, I'm pretty set on getting The V&H, but, still
not sure, of which I want.....I do not, want the loud ass ones, like
straights.I rode a friends 1100, and it's way too loud, can't hear my sweetie,
when she
tells me where to turn, and when to switch lanes, and when and where to
stop to eat, goto the bathRoom....ya know? heehee
-----BJAY-------


'Ya'll take care'' --BJAY--

 

----------bjay-----
BRIAN, what does that mean? ''if I want to read the newspaper, then dive
into the box, the Cobras were shipped in'' I guess that's what you ment.
I Know I should understand the meaning? (but,I dont?)
---------------bjay------------

The comment means just what it says. Cobras are packed in just
newspaper. If you want to find out what's on the minds of the people who
pack your pipes, just look at the date and section of the newspaper they
are packed in. When myDad had his Cobra pipes installed, I was standing there when they
unpacked the pipes from the box. I couldn't believe how they were
packed. Then when I saw that they were connecting the heat shields using
hose clamps, that was enough for
meI told him he wouldn't be satisfied with them. Sure enough, they were
blued from the manifold to the first bend before he got home. I polished
it back out, but everytime he'd start the bike up, they'd go right back
blue. They looked like shit from the start, and didn't improve with
time.----BJAY here---
Oh, okay. I have seen that fancy packing begore. okay. that's funny.I think you said, or someone said that
Cobra wont guarantee stuff like the ''blueish problem''?(Q)?) when pipes turn ''golden'', doesn't that mean the fuel is running
Lean?
I thought if ''pipes'' turned blue, it was the fuel running
''rich''..hmmmmm?
bjay??

'Ya'll take care'' --BJAY--

 

Blueing occurs either from a bad air/fuel mixture causing excessive heat to
the pipes...or low quality chrome.

In the case of Cobra pipes, it's low quality chrome.

 

A too lean mixture runs hot. On an airplane as it goes higher the air gets
thinner and makes the engine run rich so you have a mixture control to lean
the engine. You pull out the mixture till the rpm peak and the push it back
in a little to save the valves. Same on a scooter ceptin no mixture
control.

 

(Q)?) when pipes turn ''golden'', doesn't that mean the fuel is running
Lean?
I thought if ''pipes'' turned blue, it was the fuel running
''rich''..hmmmmm?
bjay??------Blueing occurs either from a bad air/fuel mixture causing
excessive heat to the pipes...or low quality chrome.
In the case of Cobra pipes, it's low quality chrome.------brianThat's what I mean, about running ''lean'', the extra heat. But, I think
the ''lean'' turns pipes Golden. And, running ''lean'' tends to make it
''backFire'', another symptom.? Over
-----bjay---------<>

'Ya'll take care'' --BJAY--

 

In conversation about ''Pipes'', Brian explains what kind he has below)Mine? The only two makers who build pipes for my bike is Mac and
Jardine. Since I don't like Mac, because of the same as Cobras...I had
to go with
Jardine.I would like to go to a bender and have some pipes made to fit and
route the way I want, but I haven't. The biggest problem on mine is
stock, the pipes routed one on each side.--------bjay says--------
ahhh, I should look into the Jardine product, eh. Are they quite
expensive?
Do they make em' for the newer Shadows?

'Ya'll take care'' --BJAY--

 

Yep and any person who puts on new pipes and
DOESN'T re-jet is most likely going to end up with
blued pipes. Sorry kids that's just a fact of
life. Do it right or don't complain.
--
Nefarious Necrologist 42nd Degree
Some people ride, some just like to show off their
butt
jewelry once in a while.
Dum vivimus, vivamus
<3 )3~ <3 )3~ <3 )~ <3 )~

 

subject: Cobra or V&H exhaust pipesBill Walker says)
I also tried some Cobras on my Vulcan and didn't have very much
satisfaction with them.. The sound wasn't right and they blued before I
got home after they were installed.. Regards and good luck..
Your friend in Irving
Bill Walker------bjay----here
So, Bill, you got rid of em? and got ya a set of the better ones, V&H?
Do you know the ''description name'' of them? The ones I'm thinking on,
are called ''cruiser Exhaust'' by V&H.
yeah, after reading what Brian said, and a few others around my
neighborhood, I'm pretty set on getting The V&H, but, still
not sure, of which I want.....I do not, want the loud ass ones, like
straights.I rode a friends 1100, and it's way too loud, can't hear my sweetie,
when she
tells me where to turn, and when to switch lanes, and when and where to
stop to eat, goto the bathRoom....ya know? heehee
-----BJAY-------


Keep in mind also, the pipes that V&H call "straight shots" are only in the
way they look....not the way they sound. All pipes they build have the
baffles in them. The "loud ass" pipes you hear are the ones that have had
the owners remove the baffles.

Also, if you ever want to do that (remove the baffles), do it before you
ride them much. If you say "I'll ride it a couple years and then see if I
want to do that" you'll be using a slide hammer to get them out and more
than likely you'll never get them back in. Carbon will build up as you run
that engine and lock those baffles in. If you take them out when it's new,
you can see if you like it and then slide them back in. If you ride without
them much, you're pretty well stuck without them....unless you're
comfortable with using a 2x4 and a 5lb sledge hammer to bang them back into
the pipes.

 

Most bikes are jetted/mapped quite lean from the factory to satisfy
emissions regulations. Adding free-flowing pipes and/or
low-restriction intakes will only make the mixture leaner. If you get
a little bucking/stumbling at constant low rpm riding, or if you get
"popping" noises from the exhaust when you decelerate, then you're
probably running lean.

Most pipes will turn blue or gold at the headers, regardless of chrome
quality or fuel mixture. The ones that don't are almost all using
full-length heat shields, or double-wall exhaust piping, or both.
Nothing wrong with either solution, as long as you realize that for
any particular outside diameter, double-wall or shielded pipes won't
flow as much as a single-wall pipe of the same outside diameter. Not
a big consideration for cruisers, I know.

Scott Gardner

 

-------brian wrote-----
Keep in mind also, the pipes that V&H call "straight shots" are only in
the way they look....not the way they sound. All pipes they build have
the baffles in them. The "loud ass" pipes you hear are the ones that
have had the owners remove the baffles.Also, if you ever want to do that (remove the baffles), do it before you
ride them much. If you say "I'll ride it a couple years and then see if
I want to do that" you'll be using a slide hammer to get them out and
more than likely you'll never get them back in. Carbon will build up as
you run that engine and lock those baffles in. If you take them out when
it's new, you can see if you like it and then slide them back
in.If you ride without them much, you're pretty well stuck without
them....unless you're comfortable with using a 2x4 and a 5lb sledge
hammer to bang them back into the pipes.----brianGood point, I will remember that.....
bjayKANA

 

scott wrote)Most bikes are jetted/mapped quite lean from the factory to satisfy
emissions regulations. Adding free-flowing pipes and/or low-restriction
intakes will only make the mixture leaner. If you get a little
bucking/stumbling at constant low rpm riding, or if you get "popping"
noises from the exhaust when you decelerate, then you're probably
running lean.Most pipes will turn blue or gold at the headers, regardless of chrome
quality or fuel mixture. The ones that don't are almost all using
full-length heat shields, or double-wall exhaust piping, or both.Nothing wrong with either solution, as long as you realize that for any
particular outside diameter, double-wall or shielded pipes won't flow as
much as a single-wall pipe of the same outside diameter. Not a big
consideration for cruisers, I know.
-------Scott Gardner--------another good point.
Are you saying in your last paragraph above, that ''double-wall or
shielded pipes wont' flow as much''?, does this mean, the exhaust
pressure is restricted to a degree? Does this have much effect on
performance, in your opinion? Like you say, though, we are talking
''cruisers'', of which I Ride. thanks, I am glad I threw this subject
out there, Cause I am learning some good stuff...helps with my decision.
------BJAY-----

'Ya'll take care'' --BJAY--

 

A pipe that appears to have a 2" diameter, but is really a 1 3/4" pipe
with a heat shield over it, won't flow as easily as a pipe that's
truly got a 2" diameter. I really doubt it would make much difference
unless you were talking about a high-rpm race bike. For street-ridden
bikes, using pipes that are too free-flowing can actually sacrifice
some low-end torque to gain some top-end horsepower that you probably
don't need.
Buy pipes that are constructed well, and have the look/sound that you
like.

Scott Gardner