XJ550 exhaust

So, the 550 is alive and well. I do, however, have a slight exhaust problem. There is this really annoying high-pitched ringing at times, at around 4K RPM, I'm assuming this is the inner wall of the header buzzing.

Can this be removed? Or should I look for a different exhaust?

I really like the look of the FJ/XJ600 cans. Would they fit? Would be cheaper than a Mac 4-1.

 

FZ600 exhaust fits. You will just need to make a new rear hanger to connect to the stock rear mounting point.

 

Don't assume.

Is the rear rubber donut sandwich mount for the collector box in good shape?

Are one or both of the "vanity" shields on the collector box touching the rear peg/exhaust mounting plates?

Are the mounting straps for the vanity shields intact?

Is one of the headpipes slightly loose at the collector?

Any of the above can and will cause "singing" from the exhaust system at some RPM.

 

Donut is fine. It was one of the things I had to replace.
There are no vanity shields. One was broken in half, and I cut them off.
Pipes feel sold, no wiggle.

 

Have you inspected and or replaced the exhaust washers? Imo use the copper washers. Bf has a write-up in the diy forum.

Gary H.

 

Figured it out. Had my son hold the RPM and poked a screwdriver at things till the ringing stopped.

Found some loose bolts, but the sound was a combination of two things - missing muffler gasket and the carb heat shield.

Incidentally, when I sealed up the muffler to collector connection, the RPM lowered.

 

Seriously. Haven't you been doing this for what, at least 3 bikes now?

Let's make sure there aren't any other loose bolts; on any of your bikes. Or do we have a loose nut here?

 

This one is special. The previous owner unscrewed EVERYTHING with absolutely no rhyme or reason. I've been tightening things since I got it.

I'm pretty certain there is nothing loose on it now. Rides quiet and nice.

Only trouble is, it's getting colder. I wonder if the 550 electrical system would pull a set of electric grips. Sure seems like it would.

 

Good gloves will keep you warmer than electric grips to below any sane riding temps.

http://www.jrcglove.com/motorcycle_lined.html Highly recommended (and their unlined gloves too.) I have the Thinsulate-lined long-finger seamless gauntlets. They actually make me look forward to riding in the cold.

 

Man, a couple of pairs of these gloves, and it's another 550 like this...

I had a set of Bikemaster heated grips on my FJ. They work real nice.