Looking for a vendor recommendation for stainless steel header pipes

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gatsby

gatsby

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Good Day,

I am on the hunt for high quality Stainless Steel header pipes for my 850. Does anyone have a source they can recommend?
Thanks!

Gatsby
 
Viking stuff is absolutely top drawer, you will not be disappointed if you go that route.

But, AFAIK they don’t do stainless ?
 
Keihan do them, but are located in the UK. Keihan have a good reputation as far as I am aware.

Keihan Systems

High quality mirror polished stainless steel motorcycle exhausts for BMW, Moto-Guzzi, Laverda etc. Original specification & appearance, 10 year guarantee.
www.keihan.co.uk
No.2173

The only thing that I would say is that in the 1980's I bought a pair of silencers for my Commando from Keihan, and at the first seam/weld on the silencer, a hairline crack had developed, I assume from the vibrations that the Commando puts through its exhaust system. I would think that in the last 30+ years this issue would have been dealt with, and even though I'd had the silencers on my bike for about a year (I think) I returned them to Keihan and got a full refund.
 
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My advice would be to not bother. I've had stainless exhaust pipes on one of my Commandos, as have a couple of friends, & all have suffered from cracking. This has happened in the weld area & also on the tube itself. This could be down to the choice of steel grade, &/or the welding process, but what doesn't help is the fact that Commando engines do move about a bit.

Martyn.
 
What are you hoping to accomplish with the stainless steel headers? Chrome headers usually discolours with the heat, and stainless steel will as well.
 
Fast Eddie said:
Viking stuff is absolutely top drawer, you will not be disappointed if you go that route.

But, AFAIK they don’t do stainless ?
Click to expand...

Nigel, Viking stuff is not always top drawer, but you are right in that they do not do stainless.
 
maylar said:
We've seen reports here that they ain't what they used to be. And their prices are rather dear.
Click to expand...
That’s sad, I had some on a T160 several years ago and thought they were fabulous quality.
Yes they were expensive, but to me they were worth it.
 
Stephen Hill said:
What are you hoping to accomplish with the stainless steel headers? Chrome headers usually discolours with the heat, and stainless steel will as well.
Click to expand...
Hi Stephen – I’m hoping to accomplish a stainless steel theme for this build. As much as possible!

Cheers,

Gatsby
 
So long as they have been purge welded correctly it should help eliminate the possibility of any future issues...still not my cup of tea but can appreciate your vision...nice work..
 
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KiwiShane said:
So long as they have been purge welded correctly it sound eliminate the possibility of issues...still not my cup of tea but can appreciate your vision...nice work..
Click to expand...
Next winter's build will be the exact opposite of the current shiny project I’m working on. I have a ripe 850 that sat under a tarp in our salt air for 30 years, and a sorted donor engine and gearbox. I also have matching side covers for this tank. My goal will be to build a Commando that looks rusty and crusty, but is mechanically sorted (spending as little money as possible).

Looking for a vendor recommendation for stainless steel header pipes
 
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