SOHC.co.uk Forums > CB500/550
DS full aftermarket exhuast system for the 500
deltarider:
The repro 4-4s seem to produce an even better sound than the OEM ones did, at least in my ears. I agree that the extra cost is more or less the same amount your bike will raise in value. The CB500 exhausts were by far the nicest, most elegant ones in the whole SOHC CB Four line. Next spring I hope to use my restorated CO-meter to fine tune each carb by monitoring each of the 4 exhaust and that is impossible with a 4-1. A trained ear can even hear/compare the differences in sound. It is how the bike has been designed originally.
I'm still trying to establish the best way to disassemble and... assemble them and by that I mean the working order. I have been helped much by Sohron, but unfortunately his info was not complete. At 2/3 from the beginning in: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=151576.0
Over the years I have put of and on mine (two sets) about six times in total. Sohron has made it clear that the top of both brackets (the upper and lower) is to be at the opposite side of the frame eye. That was new to me. Most of the years I have had them both on the outside of the frame eye and - although this is quite possible* - the result is not as nice as to have them on opposite sides.
I have been quite unfortunate with the 6mm studs in front. Many years ago I had been tempted to use my then new torque wrench. It worked fine, but I will not do it again. On later (dis)assemblies I was plagued by studs that either turned in the head or gave other problems. It was as if that torqueing in the past has had its toll later on. The studs seemed old and fatigued and quite a few needed to be replaced by time serts. By stupidity I have managed to mishandle the lower bracket LH side and as a consequence that side has both brackets on the outside again. Aaaargh! Although it's hardly noticeable, the result is the #2 pipe touches the sidestand mount and not all ten bolts in the oil pan are equally accessible. Maybe one should, before mounting the exhausts, also loosen the two nuts that secure the brackets to the pipes just enough, so they can slide a bit. The design of the holes in the brackets seem to suggest that. That's then another thing I have overlooked. Personally I'd hesitate to fasten the 8 nuts at the headers last. I have had more than enough of these studs going bad.
* One of our CB Four specialists in Holland doesn't bother. He just mounts both brackets on the outside of the frame eye.
Seabeowner:
Revisiting the fit of the repro 4/4 today after 6 1/2 years as I have my original K0 to compare it with.
The sweep of No. 2 pipe is about 5mm too low along the underside of the bike. This causes the pipe to clash with the nut on the back of the sidestand so that the pipe is too far to the centre of the bike and runs closer to the oil filter case.
I can fit a half nut to the side stand but this will only help fractionally.
No idea if this is representative of pipes made today.
Oddjob:
I think you bought the first repro system that came out, it’s possible the later systems have been altered to avoid those problems, we’ll only really know when someone with a recent system fits it and gives feedback
Johnny4428:
That’s what happened with me with the K3. Had been looking for a set for years when they finally came on the market I was quick to snap up a set. With the result I had to use a couple of ratchet straps to fit them.
And that was with the original brackets. Too quick to jump in but didn’t know how long they would be available at the time. Pleased with the quality though.
deltarider:
--- Quote from: Seabeowner on December 23, 2023, 05:09:54 PM ---[...] The sweep of No. 2 pipe is about 5mm too low along the underside of the bike. This causes the pipe to clash with the nut on the back of the sidestand so that the pipe is too far to the centre of the bike and runs closer to the oil filter case.[...]
--- End quote ---
What you describe, is exactly what I have and my exhausts are OEM. I blame it on my mishandling of the lower LH bracket which forced me to have both brackets on the outside of the frame eye again. However, having them both there, is not the cause in itself. I have had both brackets on the outside of the frame eye before for many years and then there was no problem. These exhausts need constant attention when you mount them. As I see it, everything must first be not completely fastened but pretty close to it. Always realise the studs in the front are the weakest of all fasteners. Before fastening, you need to inspect in particular how the #2 pipe runs near that mount of the side stand. Also see to it all ten oilpan bolts are accessible. The latter will always be a close matter, but, hey, that's the beauty of the design. :D
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