Wanted Gen 1 exhaust headers/mufflers (84 VF700F)

Just picked up this bike, still working on getting it sorted, but I am really looking to improve the sound as soon as possible. The lovely V4 rumble was part of the appeal for getting this bike, and the stock pipes are really not doing it for me. But I can't find anything on eBay!

I would really love to ditch the stock collector in favor of longer headers (I've seen videos of the Vance & Hines system...) but at this point I'd consider anything. The bike on the cover of the Clymer has something that looks nice, what is that? Yoshimura? Was that a factory option?

 

If you are looking at the same Clymer manual cover I am (your pic didn't work... this site doesn't like links), that is actually a VF1000F, but they are very close bikes. And those are Yoshimura slip ons, the collector is still in place.

 

Gonna have to just keep searching often, they do pop up. Systems for 1983 - 85 VF700/750F are the only ones that will fit.

It will be near junk and still not cheap, or fairly rough and expensive, or really nice and really expensive.

 

Right, I guess I had assumed that the exhausts would be interchangeable, at least after the collector. I'm also somewhat confused at the use of the terms "slip ons" here because it seems like the stock mufflers mount straight to the collector, whereas these Yoshis have some extra piping between the collector and the muffler.

Speaking of expensive, I've never looked into custom exhaust, but do you think used parts are expensive enough where it might make more financial sense to have someone fabricate headers so that a universal muffler could be mounted?

 

Or maybe I should just throw on some random cans and flex pipe?? I'm sure it's not recommended but probably attempted by someone on this forum before I would guess?

 

Slip on is pretty much considered anything less than a FULL system. The connecting pipe and muffler portion is replacing the stock one piece muffler after the collector.

Fabricating (or having fabricated) headers that are actually good and good looking is prohibitively expensive and difficult. Yes it can be done, but they are usually copying an existing design and need MANY solid commitments to buy before you even get close. Just keep looking.

Quality slip ons on the stock collector can sound very good. Full system will be louder and potentially raspier, but lighter and a more potential for peak power if the carbs are tuned to match. Slip ons will give you nicer sound and usually lose some weight.

 

Flex pipe? Um no. You will get laughed out of here.

BUT, picking two cans of your choice and then having some real connecting pipes made... Oh yeah. Been done many times.

 

Makes sense. What about slip ons for a different bike that would be a "close enough" fit, where maybe all that would be needed is a modified mounting bracket? I see a lot of mufflers on fb marketplace that have some intermediate piping that looks like it might work... Anyone have success with that here before?

 

The angle out of the collector and then the turn to clear the chain is critical. And the ID of the interface.

The problem is you won't know until you know, unless you had a pile of pipes to keep trying. I don't think I remember anybody finding ones that "worked" from another bike.

Look, anything is possible with talent and money, but both seem to be often severely lacking when the execution actually happens. Also known as "looks like crap". But that is subjective I suppose.

I have seen people mount stubby little knock-off megaphones right off the collector sticking up and out.

 

I have these Vance and Hines pipes laying around somewhere. The front pipes bolt to the head and the rear use the stock intermediate pipes. The mufflers for these are long gone, so you'd have to figure that out.

 

Whoa, nice! Those look great except I'm sort of worried I'd be in the same position as I would be without them, trying to source mufflers and an intermediate pipe that fits...

I'm wondering if I could piece something together from pre-bent sections? Maybe I should just buy a MIG welder and figure it out...

 

The Vance and Hines mufflers just attached to the ends of the pipes, there wasn't an intermediate pipe. But the problem is the diameter of most slip-ons, where they slip on the pipe, is 50mm so you'd need to make up an adapter to make them fit. Even if you were able to make the slip-ons fit I don't know if they would interfere with the passenger peg brackets, due to the angle of the pipes.

 

The original configuration of that system did indeed have an intermediate pipe. But it incorporated a welded bell section that the aluminum muffler tube was riveted to.

 

Damn that's right. In my mind I pictured the mufflers bolted directly to the pipe, but it's been a while. Lol

 

Pretty easy connecting pipe to have made and then have it expanded to 2" to take whatever mufflers are wanted.

 

That's what I was thinking, guess that's why I held on to them. I doubt I own another 1st gen though, so if dead or anyone else wants them they can have them for the cost of shipping.

 

That would be great, I'll shoot you a message tomorrow!

Anyone have recommendations for slip-ons? Maybe something period-correct but not unobtainable? I've never shopped for mufflers before, much less used/vintage ones. Looking for a deep, thumpy growl, any volume is fine, aesthetics not a huge concern.

 

Some of the vintage systems had some smaller mufflers. Similar to some of the Honda Racing cans from that era.





If that does anything for ya, then you have a pulse. Hah!

Maybe some SC Project knock offs would fit the bill.



It will be LOUD AS FUCK. Cuz my 500 sure as hell is.