Mufflers-Pay $$$ for OEM, or save $$ at JC Whitney

I'm rebuilding a XJ550 Seca, and am going to need new mufflers if I can't find used OEM. I want to sell this bike in the spring.
New OEM mufflers cost $270 EACH.
New Radian mufflers from JC Whitney cost $55 each.
You get what you pay for, but who can pay for the best? :roll:
Help me decide.

 

Since you are selling it I say e-Bay or JCW

Why have $540 tied up in a bike that will only sell for 3-4 times that amount?

 

Proto, where did you find NEW mufflers? I got 2 sets for 550 Secas both through salvage yards. Paid from $90-$135 each, all very nice one set near perfect. BUT, if you know where new ones can be had (for any price) I'd like to know, I still need one pristine right-hand one. Did you want the clutch cover?

 

You're right, they're listed on BikeBandit.com, but no longer available, (I need better eyes).
Still, the concept of the poll remains valid.
As for the clutch cover, I couldn't wait so I found one with just a scratch on eBay for cheap. The more I disassemble this bike the better it looks.

 

+1 for the clutch cover this one is pretty rugged and it's for an FJ600.

Then maybe you should give up that "sell it in the spring" idea and ride it?

Your best bet for stock mufflers (besides watching eBay) would be to sign up with a 'junkyard locator' service and let them come to you. They put your parts search out "on the wire" and anyone who has something will respond. http://www.uneedapart.com/ This has worked for me, twice now, for both exhaust parts/mufflers and a gas tank. Beware of one thing: If you get a response from Ben Caldwell of Caldwell's Motor Toys in PA he is lying. He DOES NOT have the parts he claims to have but will take your money.

Oh, and spin the motor over with the clutch cover off and be sure the clutch basket is running straight. Mine (with the crunched case) had a bent basket from where the lever came in and hit it.

 

Ride it myself? Sure! Can I afford to keep it? Sorry Son.
Fitz, thanks for the salvage info. I found some place like that, but got suspicious when it demanded all my phone #s. I'll try your lead.
Did that dead beat from PA take you?

 

Too bad you can't keep the Seca, they're a hoot. I don't give out my phone number either, it was through "uneedapart" that I had my success. Ben Caldwell did rip me off, (sent me an incomplete box of JUNK) it took the better part of 2 months but I did get my $$$ back thanks to Mastercard.

 

The mufflers on this bike look to be in good condition, and well made with baffles and they curve to fit the bike. The Radian mufflers on JCW are just glass packs.
But these are black, so they don't look right to me. I'm wondering now if I can polish off the black to reveal chrome underneath, or have them Jet Coated silver.

 

I saw the pics of your bike on eBay. Those are NOT stock 550 Seca mufflers, they came off a Midnight Special of some sort, or were painted black. Take a look at the pics of my white '81 in my gallery, those are stock 550 muffies.

 

I never said they were stock, but if they came off a Midnight Special, are they Yamaha? I'll have to look for some ID lettering on them.