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Post by Chuckwagon on May 20, 2011 9:37:39 GMT -5
Long story, but I ended up purchasing XSperformance headers and EPOs from 650 Central, and Mikes XS commando exhausts Part #07-0065. This is to fit to a 77XSD.
Just wondering how/where the supplied hardware from the muffler fits - no instructions with it.
I guess this setup isn't the same as Mikes Commando system for a standard, but hoping it all works together.
Anyone with a similar setup have insight and/or photos?
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Post by 5twins on May 20, 2011 11:18:27 GMT -5
That muffler has the common aftermarket sliding track hanger mount. You stick the head of a bolt in the sliding track and bolt it to your hanger bracket, in this case, the footpeg/muffler hanger. You probably won't need to use the included chrome strap. Unfortunately, that single bolt head usually doesn't hold for long and breaks through the sliding track, especially on a vibrating XS650. A better option is to use a length of steel bar with holes tapped in it and slide it into the track, then run bolts into it. Mike sells one (part #07-0116) or you can make your own. This spreads the load over the entire sliding track instead of just at the bolt head. The forward mounting hole on your original peg/hanger will probably be too far forward to catch the track. That's OK, you just hang the steel bar part way out of the track. You'll still have half to 2/3 of the bar clamping the track which is better than just a bolt head. Another option is to get a set of peg/hangers from an XS500. Their front mount hole is farther back. It still may miss the track but just slightly .....   Here's my homemade steel bar and XS500 bracket. As you can see, the front bolt just barely misses the track .....  Here's another view .....  |
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Post by Chuckwagon on May 20, 2011 18:25:17 GMT -5
Thanks for the photos and explanation, 5. The exhaust installation was a bit, exhausting. Sorry, couldn't resist. It took me way longer than I thought.
Not sure if the issue has been covered, but it seemed like there was a major difference in the symetry of the two XSperformance head pipes, so I had a hell of a time getting the mufflers lined up. Seems like it could be a QC issue, but it could just as well be a "Chuckwagon" issue.
I'm using 650central EPO's, and I don't know if that is a factor, but I was not able to get the rear pipes to line up so that a threaded bar could be utilized. I'm using the chrome strap. I don't have great faith in the single bolt at the end of the strap holding up, or the strap itself. So I may add another strap, and find some stronger stainless bolts. I also plan to look for some rubber dampers/ grommets to run the bolts through.
I'll try to take some pictures to show what I mean about how the pipes lined up when I get the chance.
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Post by preston on May 20, 2011 18:43:59 GMT -5
hey CW
be sure the center stand, ( feet or legs) does not come up, and rest (rattle) against your pipes..
It not the clank and bang you hear when coming off the center stand, it is the cracking of the muffler that gets you roweled up.
I welded a little leg on mine to hold it off the muffler, but your deal, may be different.
enjoy the nice day,, finally.
Preston
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Post by 5twins on May 20, 2011 20:42:16 GMT -5
I have MAC headpipes so the bend is probably a bit different. I also added a "P" clamp to the headpipes under the engine on each side connected to the original factory lower headpipe mounting spot .....  |
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azman857
Full Member
I don't have a plan and I'm stickin' to it!
Posts: 108
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Post by azman857 on May 21, 2011 16:22:31 GMT -5
5twins, you got me wanting to mount a set of commando nufflers on my SG even more now. How do they sound?
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Post by Chuckwagon on May 21, 2011 19:28:04 GMT -5
mine are whisper quiet, but that has nothing to do with the exhaust...
They are supposed to sound very similar to stock standard XS exhaust. they have a pretty restrictive baffle plate at the back, so I don't think they will be loud, which is good for me.
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Post by 5twins on May 21, 2011 23:39:43 GMT -5
I think they sound wonderful. They're not that restrictive. They were supposedly dyno developed. They come with a bolt "plug" you can install to tone them down a bit. I ran mine without it for a few days but then did put it in and like them better that way. I had the Dunstall replicas with the non-removable baffles before these and they were just awful in comparison. I know because I mounted just one of the Commandos with one of the Dunstall reps and started the bike. I didn't think the Dunstalls were that bad until I heard one side by side with the Commando.
I don't think there's a much nicer or reasonably priced exhaust available for the 650 than the Commando. My buddy liked mine so much he bought the complete system for his '80 Special. Mounting was a little different than on my Standard but the pipes did mount up quite nicely. I have pics of that mount set-up as well if you're interested.
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Post by Chuckwagon on May 22, 2011 7:49:19 GMT -5
Aha... upon closer inspection, that is a bolt plug in there. I thought that was the only outlet! ther are outlets aroud that which are much larger.
The one downside I can see so far is that I'm going to have to replace the strap with something sturdier, and as it is now, I'll have to pull a muffler to take my rear wheel off. I have the XSperformance headers with the commando mufflers. I don't know if that is the same kit/setup that Mikes sells.
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Post by preston on May 22, 2011 7:58:43 GMT -5
CW
For rear tire work..... it is much way easier, and faster, to take the two top shock nuts off,
and drop the rear swing arm down,,,, (than to deal with those nasty mufflers, which you need a engineering degree, to get on and off correctly.)
Preston
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Post by Chuckwagon on May 22, 2011 12:44:18 GMT -5
Man I wish I thought of that. Duh!  Thanks! |
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Post by Chuckwagon on May 25, 2011 22:19:13 GMT -5
Hey 5... what air intake system are you running? I'm using K&Ns... what is a good pilot, main, and needle clip setting to start from with these mufflers? Realizing that every bike is different, but just a good starting point to take it from.
I'm running a mostly stock 650, cylinder honed, new rings, valves lapped, K&Ns, Pamco, but no other go fast engine mods. I cleaned and rebuilt the carbs. They worked alright when I slapped them on prior to teardown.
I'm starting with 130 mains, 27.5 pilot, and the middle needle clip position (I didn't change that from what it was set at).
Diaphragms are good, and floats were set (dry setup).
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Post by 5twins on May 26, 2011 0:41:59 GMT -5
On the '76-'77 carbs I set up for mine, I run 132.5 mains, 27.5 pilots, and the needles lowered one step. I switched from K&N pods to UNI pods and like them better. They're easier to tune for. The K&Ns were more prone to causing upper midrange break-up. I guess the pleated filter surface disrupts the air flow or something.
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Post by Chuckwagon on May 26, 2011 7:39:21 GMT -5
Needle clip down one notch will enrichen the midrange, if I am thinking about that correctly? If that's right, then you are slightly richer on the middle to top range.
Forgot...one other modification I made, at the recommendation of Mike with 650central, was to drill the hole in the slide (next to the needle) slightly larger... I can't remember the bit size, but just slightly larger than the existing hole. He said it would give better throttle response.
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Post by 5twins on May 26, 2011 9:04:19 GMT -5
No, LOWER the needle, which means raise the clip. You want the midrange a bit leaner because of the larger mains and pilots. Stock setting is slot #3 so put the clip in slot #2. I haven't drilled any slides yet but would like to try it.
The '76-'77 carb set, with it's Z-8 needle jets, came with the richest midrange of any 650 carb set. Although some places like MikesXS recommend mains in the 140 to 145 range for these bikes with mods, you'll never get that big on this carb set due to that rich midrange.
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Thanks!