First 60 days with Pipemasters

[gandalf_025]

Well, thought I'd post a few of my observations about having a set of Pipemasters on my bike.

First, I'll say I have wanted a set since the 80's, but couldn't justify the price..
I bought my bike new, coming up on 38 years ago..
I put the majority of miles on it the first 3 years maybe. Now, it has just over 17,000
miles.. I have probably ridden it 50 or less miles a year for the last 20 years..

The pipemasters I got are 100% stainless and were bought by a friend that had them on his bike for
around 100 miles. He pulled them off and put the factory pipes back on pretty quickly.

So, as far as installation.....Mine had already been on a bike and were still somewhat assembled.
They went on easily.. very easily..
The side and center stands work fine.... AND They look GREAT....

From a practical standpoint....... They are LOUD..... I call them Cop Catchers.. I find myself short shifting
any time I see a cop directing traffic or road construction.. Personally, I enjoy the sound, but know fully it is just a matter of time before I get stopped,, It isn't IF, it is WHEN.. Factory pipes were almost silent ..
These are the opposite. Sounds like a pissed off Porsche or Ferrari.... Also, the bike seems to start much faster now. Touch the button and it comes alive instantly..

Over the years, I was able to take the bike anywhere and pretty much be invisible.. Not now though.
Every time I take it out It attracts attention... Probably the noise gets people to look and then they
come over to see what makes that sound.. That takes some getting used to.. If they don't walk over when you park it, you will usually find someone looking at it when you come back. So far, the response has been very positive.
The main exception have been Harley Guys.... Their response has ranged from Why 6 mufflers to "It looks stupid with all those mufflers hanging off the back". Typical..

I find myself riding the bike more lately.... Although the weather in this area has been terrible this spring, I have ridden the bike more this year than probably the last 5 years combined. I don't go on long rides, so the sound doesn't bother me...
They will stay on the bike for the rest of my life.... No way I'm taking them off.
And, yes, the wait was worth it..

[steve murdoch icoa #5322]

Stock airbox, filter and jetting?
btw, i agree with basically everything in your report.
I think the PipeMasters are great.

[gandalf_025]

Yes, stock air box and jetting..
Bike has original filter, but mice ate everything
off it but the screen.
Suppose I should buy a new air filter ??

[daves79x]

The foam socks only last a few years anyway. You can still get replacements, just not form Honda. I think David Silver has them as well as Six Center. Yes, do get a filter on the cage.

Dave

[tevan]

I just use the aftermarket paper filter and they seem to work just fine. But yes mice love them also. Time to get your poison and traps out.

[Rolls]

Great update on the Pipemasters. I'm always interested in what it's like to live with various exhaust systems, and details like jetting requirements. Thanks for sharing.

[gandalf_025]

Well, quite a bit further out than the original 60 days of this thread..
A few more observations..

The pipes have started turning somewhat brown near the heads, as expected..
Pretty uniform color across all cylinders.

And according to my wife..
She gets exhaust smell in her helmet when we are in traffic or going slow.

Not sure if that is just my bike, or the shorter length of the pipes overall
or the higher angle of the top 2 mufflers... ??

Also went to a local Motorcycle Show last weekend and ended up getting
second place in the Sport Bike Category..

Really wasn't expecting that...

I do have to say the bike NEVER attracted attention like it does now with
the Pipemasters on it.. Even from new.

A lot of Harley Guys were looking at it and scratching their heads though...

[steve murdoch icoa #5322]

Congrats on the hardware.

As if these bikes needed any help drawing attention. haha.

I had the kid at the gas station eyeball the 3 pipes on the right side and proudly deduce, then declare that i had a cool looking 3 cylinder bike.
Told him to look on the other side. He didn't quite get it.

[gandalf_025]

The funny part in all this is that for the past 37 years or so
I could take the bike anywhere and really was flying
"Under the Radar"....
Very few timed did anyone pay any Attention to
the bike or even notice it at all.
Now, people stop me in parking lots and comment on it.
But to be fair, the factory pipes were damn near silent.
Pipe Masters, not so much....
The factory should have put something like these on the
Bike when new !!!!

[esptj]

I recently installed a set of Pipemasters on a clients CBX. I was dazzled at the fit and finish. The system went on without any issues whatsoever. Perfect fit!!
The sound is great and I did not find them particularly loud (although certainly louder than stock). The howl of six megaphones is very Ferrari-esque! The temptation to drive through town at 6,000 rpm is so tempting.
They did begin to turn a very light brown at the head pipes as was expected but with carbs set correctly they all appear equal in color. One great bonus is that you can use an exhaust gas analyzer in each muffler and fine tune the mixture screws to a perfect setting.
I think I need a set for myself.

TJ Jackson Mesa Arizona USA

[daves79x]

Welcome TJ! I believe we met at the Vegas Auction in June? How did the silver bike turn out? Glad to see you made your way here!

Dave

[spencer]

One great bonus is that you can use an exhaust gas analyzer in each muffler and fine tune the mixture screws to a perfect setting.

Not if they are like the Pipemasters I had. All three header pipes on a side feed into a common collector, and then out to three mufflers. Not separate pipes from cylinder head to muffler.

[BillB]

That's right, they are 6 into 2 into 6, or at least they were when I bought them. I've had them on my 79 for 25 years. Also, like TJ, I don't consider them particularly loud, and I agree they sound like a wailing Ferrari at speed. Love them. Pipemaster's website calls them 6-6, but I can't tell if they have changed the interface from the fore pipes to the mufflers from what I got.

[Benny Edward]

I just ordered a set of pipe masters. They will be here Mid November. I Cant wait I'm so ecstatic. I'm really looking forward to the sound. It is a 1980 in pristine condition with perfect condition original Honda factory original exhaust with correct stamping of course. Id like to ride it more instead of a having a mere garage queen, so I'd like to preserve my originals so they don't deteriorate as I go for rides. I currently have the carbs off the bike for a good cleaning as old gas sat in them for a year and half. Thought I had drained them before I put it away for the season but I must have forgot. Since I have the carbs off already, its the perfect time to change pipes and ReJet for them. Mr Gray from Pipemasters recommended a starting point for jetting. I also need a new air filter. Mine just crumbled to dust when I removed it. Fork seals and master cylinder rebuild are in the works too. Good to give this ole girl some love after too many years. For now, I await my treasure from Australia

[steve murdoch icoa #5322]

Welcome to the site, Benny.
How about a separate thread with an introduction and a pic of your bike.

I would like to hear the jetting recommendation from PipeMasters themselves.
Had two sets and when i retained the stock airbox and oem air filter the stock jetting was fine.