Sutable Commando exhaust systems

Norton · Nov 10, 2014

Hi, I am looking for a suitable exhaust system for a customers 1974 roadster commando. Of course it originally had the balanced pipes. We are OK with doing without the balanced headers. The usual suppliers don't seem to have good quality options available. Has anyone purchased a good quality (i.e. fits well, excellent chrome, good original sound, fair price, etc) set of headers and peashooters in the past 6 months?

All suggestions appreciated.

Thanks,

Dkt26 · Nov 10, 2014

Haven't purchased yet but held a set of Harris headers in my hand and they were very nice. Apparently the local shop feels they are the best on the market due to les Harris having the original drawings.

concours · Nov 10, 2014

www.commandospecialties.com

Norton · Nov 10, 2014

concours said:
http://www.commandospecialties.com

Have you purchased their systems? What is your connection with CS? I have purchased from them before with mixed results.

Thanks,

midnightlamp · Nov 10, 2014

^^^ + 1 @ Concours

just bought these, fitment was perfect, mufflers look well made, seamless.

Norton · Nov 10, 2014

Dkt26 said:
Haven't purchased yet but held a set of Harris headers in my hand and they were very nice. Apparently the local shop feels they are the best on the market due to les Harris having the original drawings.

Good suggestion, thanks,

Brly · Nov 10, 2014

I got mine from Commando Specialties 4 years ago. They fit well and have been great so far. Love the sound!

Ben

SquareHead · Nov 10, 2014

I would check with Matt @ CNW. He has a beautiful set of mufflers. He may have headers available by now, but not sure.

https://coloradonortonworks.net/part-categories/cnw-engine-carburetion.html

I won't hesitate to buy the exhaust from Matt when I need exhaust.

I have no affiliation with Matt or Colorado Norton Works. Just a fan of his work and his willingness to be helpful...

concours · Nov 10, 2014

Norton said:
concours said:

http://www.commandospecialties.com

Click to expand...

Have you purchased their systems? What is your connection with CS? I have purchased from them before with mixed results.

Thanks,

I have the mufflers and header pipes (bought at different times).

I have absolutely no connection, loyalty to or anything with CS.

Good luck with your quest, keep us posted. :mrgreen:

midnightlamp · Nov 10, 2014

All depends on what is considered good really...

To me, the seamed mufflers look...not that good, but to some people the originality is key. You can get english and chinese made ones with 1 visible seam, two visible seams, or with everything cleaned up before chroming.

As for the head pipes, regardless of where you get them, the cheap ones that aren't properly welded at the head end will crack, and the ones that are cheaply made will have compression bends with kinks.

As for the material, all the cheap chrome you get nowadays lasts surprisingly well, as long as you're not paying bottom dollar for it. You can still get really nice chrome if you pay for it, but the margin gets smaller and smaller as it becomes more and more expensive to chrome stuff in the UK/US and more and more companies turn to china. I love stainless, but to a lot of people the hue is not right on the mufflers and the maintenance is not nice either (it's really not bad, but nowhere near as "trouble free" as good chrome).

Beach · Nov 10, 2014

Norton said:
Dkt26 said:

Haven't purchased yet but held a set of Harris headers in my hand and they were very nice. Apparently the local shop feels they are the best on the market due to les Harris having the original drawings.

Click to expand...

Good suggestion, thanks,

I purchased a set of the Les Harris Pipes from CS and they fit perfectly...They fit close to the frame preventing the kicker from hitting muffler...They are so nice I actually ordered a second set to have on the shelf..

Brly · Nov 11, 2014

I was thinking of getting a second set for the shelf also. Be nice to have a set of known quality when I need them...

Ben

G81 Can Cycle · Nov 11, 2014

SquareHead said:
I would check with Matt @ CNW. He has a beautiful set of mufflers. He may have headers available by now, but not sure.

https://coloradonortonworks.net/part-categories/cnw-engine-carburetion.html

I won't hesitate to buy the exhaust from Matt when I need exhaust.

I have no affiliation with Matt or Colorado Norton Works. Just a fan of his work and his willingness to be helpful...

I know Matt @ CNW is working on stainless pipes and silencers now. I plan to be one of the first to try a set. I just put a set of pipes and silencers on my 74 Interstate upgrade. I will have to look up supplier, but bought them from UK. They are very nice and have a great sound.

rx7171 · Nov 12, 2014

Brly said:
I got mine from Commando Specialties 4 years ago. They fit well and have been great so far. Love the sound!

Ben

Me too. The peashooters are seamless at the outlet taper which is very clean but if you want the authentic look maybe a problem.

Hobot · Nov 12, 2014

I've been surprised by various past so so engines wakingTF up by trial and error exhaust changes as nothing else did much or made worse. About to learn to actyl torch braze fireplace cracked metal to contain smoke, so thinking this brazing metal gluing method may be my tool of choice in working up next Peel's 2-1 system. Should hold long enough to have a nice permanent system made.

Norton · Nov 12, 2014

hobot said:
I've been surprised by various past so so engines wakingTF up by trial and error exhaust changes as nothing else did much or made worse. About to learn to actyl torch braze fireplace cracked metal to contain smoke, so thinking this brazing metal gluing method may be my tool of choice in working up next Peel's 2-1 system. Should hold long enough to have a nice permanent system made.

? :?:

Norton · Nov 12, 2014

Thanks to all who have something constructive to add to this discussion. I have talked to Ella @ OB, Phil @ FSA), and I know Matt @ CNW, and have purchased from all these suppliers before. The balanced header pipes are no longer available and are a pain in the but to install but that is what my customer wanted if possible. Fortunately he is willing to be flexible so I think I am going to try a set of Les Harris Norton Commando Exhaust Pipes and Seamless Peashooter Mufflers Made in UK from Commando Specialties whom I have also purchased from before.

Thanks again. I will keep you informed...

midnightlamp · Nov 12, 2014

Norton said:
hobot said:

I've been surprised by various past so so engines wakingTF up by trial and error exhaust changes as nothing else did much or made worse. About to learn to actyl torch braze fireplace cracked metal to contain smoke, so thinking this brazing metal gluing method may be my tool of choice in working up next Peel's 2-1 system. Should hold long enough to have a nice permanent system made.

Click to expand...

? :?:

Just imagine a norton commando that's jumping over a ditch and crunching a set of forks and scraping footpegs in the ozarks with this playing the background: http://youtu.be/myhnAZFR1po?t=2m37s

That'll probably be the simplest description of hobot you'll get.

acotrel · Nov 13, 2014

If by brazing, you mean bronze welding - I wouldn't use it on exhausts. Oxy welded steel or TIG cause fewer fractures. Some of the aircraft people use nickel base alloys for exhausts - might be a good option, however you'd be reliant on them for repairs.

Hobot · Nov 13, 2014

Sorry, goofed on which exht thread covered exhaust modifications. Money time and skill screw with me like yoose guys too so though could save some gas torch tacking different tubes/bends together, if I could get hang of it on vertical carbon impregnated fire box sheet steel but only a blob here and there stick so most ends up rolling off. Peel is for rough-ready end of life flings so don't even looks twice nice pipes for her no more. If I spring for welding will go TIG and may yet have too on fireplace. For those buying new not a bad idea to have em ceramic coated inside before carbonized with a special not not to do the Outside. I had a new set done that came back looking like made from Al lawn chair tube. Not factory so not for Trixie, not big enough for Peel so another shed artifact.

Sutable Commando exhaust systems

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