4 to 1 exhaust???

Well I'm new to motorcycles and mechinical stuff in general. I've been getting pretty far with repairs thanks to everyone on here. One thing that i've came across and have no idea about is the 4 to 1 exhaust systems. Lots of people talk about them, and I found one that I was considering getting simply because I wanted to change my pipes to black. But can anyone tell me what the benefits of the 4 to 1 change is compared to 4 to 2?

 

i found the larger diameter primarys and overall smoother exhaust flow path gave the bike much better mid-high end power and response. i also think the exhaust sound is much cleaner and resembles a modern crotch rocket with a nice purr at idle and a lovely scream when you are into it. i felt that the 4-2 exhaust sounded like poop and looked terrible on the bike.

this is all my opinion of course. get ready here come the disgruntled purists.......

 

+ 1 what Zookie said and it's about 1/4 the weight and maybe 1.5 inches lower

 

Ok these are the ones I was looking at. Tell me what you think, or if you know of better ones let me know.
Bike Bandit

 

New exhaust systems are getting hard to find for these older bikes. Mac is one of the few that is still making them, not many choices out there.
+1 what Zookie said, I think they look better.

 

+2 nothing like the sound of 4into1 in the cool early morning air (just ask the neighbors...) and makes them look much better too.

 

An engine is just an air pump. Get the air in/out more efficiently, and you've done good.

So, generally, a 4-1 exhaust system flows exhaust gas more efficiently than a stock 4-2.

And, of course, aftermarket 4-1 are always significantly lighter that the OEM 4-2 system.

Of course, that's a generalization, and there are many details to be considered and debated, but that's more than you need right now, particularly if your main concern is having a black exhaust vs. a chrome one...

Sound and looks, of course, are highly subjective. I DON'T like the wail of a 4-1, but that's just me. And, in my opinion, trying to make your vintage bike look or sound like a modern crotch rocket is an UNDESIRABLE thing. If I wanted a modern crotch rocket, I wouldn't be owning a vintage bike in the first place... I can hardly imagine anything more out-of-place than to slap a modern, brushed aluminum or carbon-fiber canister, stainless-piped 4-to-1 onto a vintage inline 4. Ugh.

Just my two cents.

Kirk

 

tony i like the black one. i have a home-made muffler on the mac header. i love it.

 

I agree with zookie, i have 2 maxim Xs and the 1985 has the HINDLE 4 to1 check the youtube..sound awesome when you wanna rev it or even at idle..NOTE. Video sound is no close to real.
I believe these pipes are no longer available.

 

i prefer 4 into 2.

dave

 

mine sounds just like this and I love it. I'm sure I'm the only one in the neighborhood that loves it except maybe the one guy down the block with the V-twin of different sound but similar volume.

 

I like the 4 into 2. The exhaust on my 82 650 have been modified. The guy I bought it from said they may be off an 1100. http://xjbikes.com/coppermine/displayim ... pos=0.html
However, I have been considering mods to make it more "cafe" style, and the 4 into 1 would be ideal, but not mandatory.
The quiet on longer rides is VERY nice as I am 110 years old and my hearing is already damaged.

 

I've heard some aftermarket systems can force you to lose your center stand...personally I wouldn't want to do that. Something to check on and consider.
Mike

 

good point Mike. I still have my center stand but I lost some ground clearance. one of my headers is a little dented from a tall parking lot speed bump and that cylinder just doesn't want to run right until I inflate that out (again )

 

center stand = useless

if you're going to change the oil or rear tire, just finger tighten the bolts for ti and use it then, otherwise, you dont need it.

 

hey i know that video! i actually took that muffler off, it was too loud mainly because of the downturn. my new muffler is a 2.5" straight pipe, with a 1 7/8" drilled pipe in the middle surrounded by glasspack. i need to make a new video. it sounds much more muffled, but still screams when the throttles are opened up. i did lose some power on the top end with the 1 7/8" pipe versus the wide open 2.5" but the mid is still very strong.

 

I know it. I top out at 110mph but I get there PDQ, can do it up a good grade and everyone can hear me doin it.