2 into 1 Exhaust (2015)

Titanium sounds like good business plan for repeat Norton business as rigid frame/engine race cars running Ti all have to support its length at a number of places so would want my isolastic Commando out of Inconel but may not be an issue in non iso Commando installs. I personally abhor rigid mounted cycles now and overly sloppy isolastics so my reasons do not apply to anyone else. Have not heard back from NZ so you may end up the sole source of Maney type systems.

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If you are copying the Maney exhaust are you also copying his complete motor set-up so that the cam suits the pipe and gives the torque characteristic you want ? It is easy to build a motor with tons of top end. If you don't spend the extra to explosion-proof it ...... ? With my own motor, I still feel 7000 RPM is far too quick, even though it is balanced for those revs.

I think you might be over-thinking this a bit, Alan. The Maney exhaust has worked well for a wide variety of engine builds in racers and street bikes, from 750 to 1007 cc. It's not that sensitive to small details in engine build.

Ken

Ken you are probably correct. I do the best I can with the available funds. I usually know where I will be beaten in a race. A couple of years ago there was a fella at the Broadford Bonanza who had a commando which sounded like the real deal and he was a super-smooth rider - hard to beat that combination. Some of the richer guys spend a motza on their bike and buy all the good bits. However if it doesn't all come together they can be beaten. I've looked at photos of the Maney system, and I think the pipe diameters are too big for a commando built on limited funds - where more torque and handling are probably the way to go. With that large diameter the Maney pipes would obviously work well on any commando, however if you are spending, I'd be looking for best value (outcome). I suggest that means optimising all factors to suit the circuits and rider ability.

You might be better to make a pipe out of bends, then cut and shut it while experimenting until you get something decent. Then have one made out of titanium. In Melbourne we have Moorabbin airport where there is a guy making aircraft exhausts out of a nickel alloy (Hastelloy, I think). It is very light and workable and might be a better option.

acotrel said:

Ken you are probably correct. I do the best I can with the available funds. I usually know where I will be beaten in a race. A couple of years ago there was a fella at the Broadford Bonanza who had a commando which sounded like the real deal and he was a super-smooth rider - hard to beat that combination. Some of the richer guys spend a motza on their bike and buy all the good bits. However if it doesn't all come together they can be beaten. I've looked at photos of the Maney system, and I think the pipe diameters are too big for a commando built on limited funds - where more torque and handling are probably the way to go. With that large diameter the Maney pipes would obviously work well on any commando, however if you are spending, I'd be looking for best value (outcome). I suggest that means optimising all factors to suit the circuits and rider ability.

You might be better to make a pipe out of bends, then cut and shut it while experimenting until you get something decent. Then have one made out of titanium. In Melbourne we have Moorabbin airport where there is a guy making aircraft exhausts out of a nickel alloy (Hastelloy, I think). It is very light and workable and might be a better option.

Click to expand...

The thing is Al, the Maney system is proven to work. On my own test remember, + 4bhp and + 5ft/lbs torque and much higher average torque and power everywhere above 4000 rpm.

I can get a copy made for £450-£500.

You would have to do a lot of design, fabrication, experimentation and re-design, and re-fabrication to match that performance advantage I think, never mind improve it!

An improvement of that magnitude, for so little work, and relatively reasonable cost is a damned good 'value for money' mod IMHO.

I do agree it is perhaps unlikely to be as good on a stock bike, but suggest it will work well with most / any Norton with some kind of hotter cam and raised CR.

How can I get my name down for one?

Let me rephrase that

I really really want one of these. I begged Steve for quite a bit to make me one but no avail.

Brooking

I've got the specs for this dyno developed 2 to 1 pipe if you want them. This is Fred Eikers 920cc land speed racer set up on nitrous. With 150 HP he put my stuff to the ultimate test.

Hi Jim, yes please, project is delayed while I am away at work, although I should be able to complete in Septemeber and will post progress pics and given the chance dyno results.
Regards Mike

Here is the latest dyno result on my bike for the finished exhaust system.
I have raced it at two different tracks 6 hours by road apart over two weeks and there is a distinct power and torque gain with this system.
It has been suggested I go a little leaner with this, although I tend to err on the rich side and our hot summers are well on their way.
No other changes were made to the bike other than the exhaust system from 2 x upswept pipes into hollow peashooters to the 2 into 1 system.
Regards Mike

Dkt26 said:

Let me rephrase that

I really really want one of these. I begged Steve for quite a bit to make me one but no avail.

Click to expand...

I believe the exhaust guy that Steve Maney used no longer works –he has either retired or is no longer with us

Then there is always Paul at Viking exhausts : http://www.vikingexhaust.com/products.asp?cat=Norton
Does really nice work.

Here are a few pics of the prototype I have been testing to keep the forum updated.
Looking at HPC coating and shipping costs so I can price them accordingly.
This system is tucked in close on the LHS of my race bike which is a standard 1973 Commando frame.
As I posted earlier in the thread , the dyno run (see chart ) was on a hot day 15 mins after the last race for the day at the end of a weekends racing.
Motor spec is as follows:
I run it on Avgas, it is an 828 cc motor with JS rods and 0.040" oversize pistons, Total Seal ring set, 29 degrees of timing advance, standard size Black Diamond Vv's in a RH10 head with beehive springs, JS light weight cam follower set.
It runs standard length inlet manifolds with 32mm Premiers (main jets as big as 320) carbs with 60mm open mouthed velocity stacks.
Regards Mike

Outstanding !! & Thx for the update :mrgreen:

Lookin' good Mike... Can't wait to get mine and get it on the Dyno !!

Hello Mike,

I’m involved in Classic Racing with my Dommie 88ss in a featherbed frame. Could I also order a set for these? Looking forward to your reply!!
Best regards,
Wilbert Wiersma
The Netherlands

Hi Wilbert, at this stage i dont make them for a vertical motor in a featherbed frame.
These systems I have are designed for Commando 750 and 850's in a standard isolastic frame.
I do have a 600 cc Norton in a slimline featherbed frame to use as a template to make them for your model of bike, although I need to finish my portable dyno so I can do some R&D testing to make sure we get the right result for the smaller CC engines like yours
The hardest part is getting them to fit all the different models and set up.
Thanks and regards Mike

Hi Mike,
My bike is a Slimline with an 828cc/PW3/ flowed head, would your system fit on it?
I yes, what would be the price range/transport cost/ availability?
(i live in Brussels, Belgium).
Thanks,
Bruno

The systems are manufactured to fit a standard Commando frame with the engine inclined, so probably not if your motor is vertical.
It sounds like the engine specs would suit one of my systems though
I'll look into making some to suit.
Regards Mike

Mike, I think Jagbruno’s engine is sloping, ala Cdo.

Jagbruno, please study the pic of one of Mikes pipes on my roadster, it should give you some idea.

My guess is that one would fit OK, with the following caveats:

1. I don’t think your fairing would fit, you’ll either have to remove the bottom half, or cut it to allow the front pipe bend to protrude (racing Manx style)!

2. The fitting kit that Mike provides makes fitting to a Cdo so easy that even I could do it! But you would have to make / adapt fittings to suit your application.

3. The pipe will effect jetting, so you will need to dial it in to get best results. On mine, it made the mixture richer. Don’t ask me why, I don’t understand such things!

4. My advice would be to buy the pipe in bare steel, so you could add or remove brackets if necessary (although Mikes finished ceramic coating is superb inside and out).

So, with a little improvisation, I can’t think why it wouldn’t fit. Then your bike will sound (almost) as good as Yves !!

I’ll leave you to discuss prices etc with Mike, but quality doesn’t come cheap! Suffice to say however, the workmanship and overal quality of Mikes pipes is truly superb.

If you want the ‘hot rod’ look and sound, then this is the pipe for you!