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Stainless vs. Chrome Exhaust Pipes with Steel Mufflers
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2020 5:30 pm
by jimmiejag
My 1971 R75/5 has one rusty muffler so I bought a pair of chrome steel mufflers but now see that the existing head and crossover pipes should also be replaced. Is there any issue with SS head/crossover pipes connected to chrome steel mufflers? Or should I simply get chrome head/crossover pipes? What are the advantages of ss over chrome?
Re: Stainless vs. Chrome Exhaust Pipes with Steel Mufflers
Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2020 8:40 am
by srankin
Jim, I see no one seems to be answering. The only thing I can add, and this may not be true is, Mac exhaust pipes may not fit as well as they should.
The last set of header pipes I installed on my RT after the cross over pipes rotted out (not the middle pipe which is replaceable but the nubs on the main header pipes), were the factory pipes. The mufflers are Kiehein and everything seems to be playing well together five years down the line. St.
Re: Stainless vs. Chrome Exhaust Pipes with Steel Mufflers
Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2020 10:36 am
by Flx48
Hi Jim-
The basic advantage of stainless over chrome is rust resistance.
The ss alloy is made of iron/chromium/nickel and forms a surface of chromium oxide, which protects the iron from oxidation.
I chose ss over chrome plated steel back in the day because my bikes lived outdoors in New England 24/7/365, and both the chrome plated steel pipes and mufflers seemed to have a lifespan of 1-2 years.
The bikes now live indoors when not being ridden, and they're still using the same ss exhausts acquired back then; the oldest set (pipes/mufflers) has been in use over 40 years and still going strong.
Some folks object to the straw color the ss pipes develop when subjected to the heat of the exhaust, preferring the blue color the heat forms on chrome plated steel; either is fine with me, with the long lifespan of ss being the easy decider, but many folks know they won't hang onto a bike long enough to justify the investment.
So your choice is subjective; your environment/goals/intentions/pocketbook being the factors in choosing.
Best-
George
Re: Stainless vs. Chrome Exhaust Pipes with Steel Mufflers
Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2020 12:43 pm
by skychs
I went with the Keihan SS exhaust on my R90. The "straw" color doesn't bother me. It still shines up nicely and most important ..... will last a long time.
Re: Stainless vs. Chrome Exhaust Pipes with Steel Mufflers
Posted: Tue Dec 08, 2020 2:55 am
by Airhead77
Can someone please advise on how to recognise the type of exhaust a new to me bike might have, when there isn't rust present?
Re: Stainless vs. Chrome Exhaust Pipes with Steel Mufflers
Posted: Tue Dec 08, 2020 8:04 am
by skychs
Airhead77 wrote: ↑Tue Dec 08, 2020 2:55 am
Can someone please advise on how to recognise the type of exhaust a new to me bike might have, when there isn't rust present?
Try a magnet. It will not stick to SS.