Swan neck header pipes

Where would a person begin looking for the swan neck header pipes and mufflers to allow fitting saddle bags as per the original Interstate factory intentions ?

I am just begining restoration of a former Mk. III 850 Dunstall conversion. Most of the Dunstall bits and pieces have been lost over the years and I now think too much about pavement rash to really want to go 130 mph. So an Interstate with a minor twist or two looks interesting.

I would contact Mike Partridge at Walridge Motors. But don't even think about low level crossover headpipes. We looked for these for a friends 850 and returned three sets to various vendors before settling on non-crossover style. There are different mufflers to fit these pipes also, although you might be able to adapt standard pea shooters.

Brit303 said:

Where would a person begin looking for the swan neck header pipes and mufflers to allow fitting saddle bags as per the original Interstate factory intentions ?

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= Viking exhausts (New Zealand): http://www.vikingexhaust.com/

I thought they'd be available as a standard part from any of the usual sources. Not popular, but available.

Brit303 said:

Where would a person begin looking for the swan neck header pipes and mufflers to allow fitting saddle bags as per the original Interstate factory intentions ?

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L.A.B. said:

Viking exhausts (New Zealand): http://www.vikingexhaust.com/

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L.A.B. is correct - contact Paul Bryant at Viking Exhaust. He bent a set of Interstate-style pipes for me this spring. They were a custom bend due to the Mk III primary chaincase changes that require a different lower bend under the front of the primary. I used Wassel Interstate mufflers to complete the rework. I'll see if I can't get a picture of the new pipes within the next day or so. Also, as is probably obvious to you, the muffler brackets are different than for standard black-caps or even for peashooters. I used a stock Interstate bracket set - reference: http://www.nortonmotors.de/ANIL/Norton% ... &Plate=023

You can get the pipes made up any way you wish - crossover or non-crossover, 850 or 750 style exhaust port end. Paul has made all of the various styles.

Thanks for the info. I will be attempting to stay within "Intstate rebuild_Brit303" just to keep all posts in one place.

er ... Interstate Rebuild_Brit303.

$410.00 Cdn. vs $199.95 Cdn. if bought locally for set of 850 Interstate header pipes ... plus the hassels of shipping and duty from New Zealand. Much as I like the artisan work ethic I will have to think long and hard about the cost difference.

Knowing the Maritime climate I live in, Nova scotia, and the corrosiviness of exhaust gases and Norton vibes, I am not ruling out this source.

Brit303 said:

$410.00 Cdn. vs $199.95 Cdn. if bought locally for set of 850 Interstate header pipes ... plus the hassels of shipping and duty from New Zealand. Much as I like the artisan work ethic I will have to think long and hard about the cost difference.

Knowing the Maritime climate I live in, Nova scotia, and the corrosiviness of exhaust gases and Norton vibes, I am not ruling out this source.

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Viking is pricey. I had him price out a custom set of pipes for a Triumph chop I'm working on. I still may do it because I can't weld for crap, especially a one-off set of pipes. I'll get them raw to save me some cash as I'd ceramic coat them anyway. His work seems top shelf for sure.

Brit303 said:

$410.00 Cdn. vs $199.95 Cdn. if bought locally for set of 850 Interstate header pipes ... plus the hassels of shipping and duty from New Zealand. Much as I like the artisan work ethic I will have to think long and hard about the cost difference.

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If you are looking to setup a Mk III with an Interstate-style exhaust and muffler, custom pipes may be the only way go. I may be wrong, but I believe the Mk III did not have any exhaust option other than the upswept pipe with blackcap mufflers. The use of a pre-Mk III exhaust pipe will not give the proper clearance under the primary chaincase - believe me, I tried that approach. That was my reason for dealing with Viking. When I ordered my pipes I caught a favorable NZD-to-USD exchange rate - with shipping/insurance I paid $301 US ($585 NZ) for the set. Admittedly a bit pricey, but Nortons can be an expensive habit.

ColoCommando said:

Brit303 said:

$410.00 Cdn. vs $199.95 Cdn. if bought locally for set of 850 Interstate header pipes ... I will have to think long and hard about the cost difference.

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Bike is a Mk II, front dis - rear drum - black cylinders, originally set up as a Dunstall cafe racer. I am trying to determine what the original model was but have yet to hear back from the dealer and since I bought this bike used in 1974, we may never know for sure.

Can't see much benefit in going with the Factory correct balanced pipes as these tend to crack at the connector pipe/header junction.

I want to restore as Interstate model with the low goose-neck pipes. And fabricate frameing for detachable hard saddle bags as I understand this was an original factory concept that never got to market. I may have to go custom route with Viking ... I like his work but the cost may scrap the whole project.

Nortons can be an expensive habit ... as can firearms ... girls ... photography ... most anything interesting ....