balanced exhaust pipes?????

balanced pipes

Hi Sharon,I did not notice any appreciable difference between balanced and independent pipes on my '74 850.If you really want them then Rockypoint Cycle in Ohio can help, Stan Smith is the owner and very knowledgeable / helpful guy.
Good luck. James

You might try Rabers Parts Mart in San Jose, California.

I have heard of quite a few of the balanced pipes getting stress cracks, even when nearly new. Also apparently not easy to fit, so possibly the best option may be to go for exhausts without the balance pipe, unless you really are after a standard look.

A friend of mine here in the UK has had problems locating some balanced pipes as the usual main suppliers don't have any in stock, and of the two he has located, one didn't fit (line up) and the other stress cracked shortly after running the bike. He is now awaiting his third set!

I personally would not bother with them.

Reggie said:

I personally would not bother with them.

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I wouldn't bother with them either. Mine never cracked but I think the cross over pipe looks absolutely hideous and prefer not having it. One of the first things I did was buy new pipes and ditch the cross over tube and those Dunstall silencers that came with it.

Sharon, the idea behind the balanced pipe setup is that it allows each cylinder to exhaust thru two headers and two mufflers since the exhaust strokes are alternate with the parallel twin. In theory this should let the engine breathe better and produce more power.

It might make quite a difference on a MK111 with stock muffers as those were said to be very quiet which would imply they were quite restrictive.
With a free flowing set of mufflers it is likely that the balance pipe doesn't do a whole lot.
My MK111 still has the stock balance pipes but it also has free flowing mufflers. The balance pipes have not been a problem for me. If I ever need to replace the pipes I will probably go without the balance pipes though.

sharon piquet said:

having trouble locating balanced exhaust pipes for 1973 interstate. are there any advantages to having the balanced pipes? or should i skip them?

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The balance pipes were introduced on the 850 models in order to reduce noise emission levels that were starting to come into force in certain countries of the world. Later models also having quieter black cap silencers/mufflers and plastic airbox to reduce exhaust and intake noise still further.

Only Commandos that have the black cap/bean can silencers/mufflers are likely to need the balance pipe system.