New old pipes

chrismay · Aug 20, 2016

I'm considering changing pipes on my MK111. Currently running 2 into 1 header I bought in the 70s. Being young and stupid I thru the original pipes away. Not the only parts I have left behind. I did'nt know I would regret actions 40 yrs later. Not in any hurry and I don't want the 75 pipes thinking more along the line of pea shooters or megaphones (my hearings going anyway). Just wondering what was out there. Old orginals I could rechrome or new stock that the members of thi s forum approve of. I'm not going to pull the trigger till winter time but thought I would ask to see what options are out there.
thanks chris

ILLF8ED · Aug 21, 2016

chrismay said:
I'm considering changing pipes on my MK111. Currently running 2 into 1 header I bought in the 70s. Being young and stupid I thru the original pipes away. Not the only parts I have left behind. I did'nt know I would regret actions 40 yrs later. Not in any hurry and I don't want the 75 pipes thinking more along the line of pea shooters or megaphones (my hearings going anyway). Just wondering what was out there. Old orginals I could rechrome or new stock that the members of thi s forum approve of. I'm not going to pull the trigger till winter time but thought I would ask to see what options are out there.
thanks chris

Hi Chris,

I don't have experience with buying 750 systems, but the aftermarket systems for those are so far off on the timing side, everyone has to use mk3 kick start levers to fit.

Posted mainly due to your list of bikes. I also have a 2007 Sportster XL1200R and owned a '74 360MX. You have good taste.

Craig · Aug 21, 2016

Not sure on aftermarket stuff .... the new Andover headers fit my '72 proper and I still use original kicker with no rub ...
Craig

chrismay · Aug 21, 2016

Thanks David and Craig

I appreciate your input. I have followed many threads that really did'nt seem to come to a definite answer reguarding pipes . David, I think the 1200 Sportster is a really underappreciated bike. My wife would rather ride on it than the Norton ( I know that's sacriligous around here). I think its the riding position against the sissy bar but that allows me to go on plenty of solo rides.

trident sam · Aug 21, 2016

The mk.111 unbalanced pipes from Commando Specialties are good quality, and reasonably priced (your side of the pond anyway).
I have a set on one of my 850 mk. 111s.
sam

lcrken · Aug 21, 2016

Be careful to get pipes that are advertised to fit MKIII. Stock and many aftermarket unbalanced 750 pipes interfere with the bottom of the primary cover at the front.

Ken

ILLF8ED · Aug 22, 2016

Craig said:
Not sure on aftermarket stuff .... the new Andover headers fit my '72 proper and I still use original kicker with no rub ...
Craig

Andover is "aftermarket", sorry Joe. Original is new or used old stock from Norton Villiers or NVT. Everything else is interpretation of original...some good some not.

Madnorton · Aug 22, 2016

I run roadster pipes on my MK3 and they just clear the primary case by 1/4'', so far no contact with the primary.

dynodave · Aug 22, 2016

I got a set of MKIII pipes from British Cycle Supply to try on a customers bike. I was prepared for the worst and though I don't know the final maker which is supposed to be British in origin, I was shocked that they did fit including the correct clearance below the primary. Customer also was happy.
My 5 mile (never registered) MKIII came with peashooters so I found the brackets are the main difference from mounting blackcaps.

chrismay · Aug 22, 2016

Thanks Dynodave,
It seems like I am getting much more conclusive information on pipes and thanks for the heads up on mounting the peashooters.

gortnipper · Aug 22, 2016

trident sam said:
The mk.111 unbalanced pipes from Commando Specialties are good quality, and reasonably priced (your side of the pond anyway).
I have a set on one of my 850 mk. 111s.
sam

+1 on CS. I bought a pair of pipes from them, and they seem very nice, though I havent mounted them yet.

rx7171 · Aug 23, 2016

trident sam said:
The mk.111 unbalanced pipes from Commando Specialties are good quality, and reasonably priced (your side of the pond anyway).
I have a set on one of my 850 mk. 111s.
sam

Same here. Good fit. Almost 12,000 miles on them and holding up well.

chrismay · Aug 24, 2016

: New old pipes

In the new September Motorcycle Classics Magazine page 84 Emgo is advertising replacement pipes for 750 and 850. The pipes are made of 1018 carbon steel and cnc mandrel bent and chromed. $ 145 a pair at emgo.com I am going to have to check this out. Any new input it greatfully accepted. The pipes dont have a crossover tube. I dont see why that would be important.

chrismay · Aug 24, 2016

These are just the header pipes not the mufflers.

dynodave · Aug 24, 2016

Re: : New old pipes

chrismay said:
I dont see why that would be important.

freeier flow with less noise by distributing the flow to two pipes/mufflers... very similar to putting a balance pipe just after the headers on the chevy small block. It worked great on my 73 chevy PU.
You might want to study a bit before you take the no balance tube route.
If you only care about the "sound" then also put an early opening exhaust hot rod cam for the BOOM BOOM HD effect.

chrismay · Aug 24, 2016

Thanks Dynodave I didn"t think there would be some resonant frequencies like an expansion chamber. I"m not argueing just did'nt understand the reasoning. I will look into the crossover pipe. I'm not looking for sound, just a more original look. Granted I'm not going back to those ugly and silenced black trumpet cones. So maybe I am going for a more original Norton sound. The 2 into 1 headers I have now sound good and perform the same. It's just that I have dented, scratched and compressed these pipes. To many years of tt racing (tavern to tavern). I don't hate these headers but after looking at paying for bronzeing the scrapes and powder coating them I am just looking at different options. Many Thanks to all input.

New old pipes

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