XS2 MikesXS Commando Pipe Installation Question

bsquared

I just received my "Commando" replacement pipes from Mikes for my XS2. My bike just had old auto glass packs on before, so I'm not sure how the hanger brackets work on the replacements. Do they attach to the rear footpeg studs? If so, I need to bend the brackets. On the sprocket side, the hanger bracket is frightenly close to the chain and sprocket. Any ideas? I'm tempted to not use the hanger bracket, but I think the pipes would stress out and prematurely break at the header joint.
Thanks,
Bsquared
(5 degrees and getting ready for spring!)

bsquared

I forgot to say, my bike is a 1972 xs2650 and the pipes are 05-1067b Universal 26" pipes.
Bsquared.

5twins · Full Member Joined: Aug 05, 2006 Posts: 1616

With pretty much any aftermarket muffler installation, some tweaking and fabbing is usually needed. Yes, they attach to the rear footpeg studs. The original mufflers for your model had the hanger brackets welded right onto them. Later models used a triangle shaped combination footpeg holder and muffler hanger. This bolted to the backside of the muffler in 2 places. I've found that one strap provided with it's single bolt in the sliding track really isn't adequate on these bikes with the way they vibrate. The bolt head will pull through the track in no time. You need to use what I like to call the "Goran Method" for mounting these sliding track type mufflers. Of course, he used stainless but I found it too hard to work with (cut, drill, tap) so I just used regular steel.

smg.photobucket.com/al...%20System/

If you have stock style headpipes that bolt to the frame below the footpegs, you may need to shim that out with a washer or 2 so the pipe sits farther away, especially on that chain side. You may want to try one of the newer pipe hanger brackets as that might save you the trouble of fabbing one up yourself. On my '78, I switched to the hanger bracket from an XS500 as it locates the forward track mounting hole a bit farther back. This more closely matched up with the sliding track. Minor filing to enlarge the upper mounting hole slightly was the only mod needed to make it fit.

bsquared

Thanks! Shimming out the header pipes is a great idea. Where did you find the hanger brackets for the xs500?
Bsquared.

5twins · Full Member Joined: Aug 05, 2006 Posts: 1616

I was lucky enough to be given a junk 500 a few years back. I stripped everything I thought might be of use some day and scrapped the rest. These weren't very good bikes so if you have a bike boneyard near you, you'll probably find several residing there. Then there's always eBay, too.

I love these Commando mufflers, by the way. Big improvement over the Dunstall replicas I was running. Better sound, fit, and look in my opinion. I added the provided allen bolt "plug" to the baffle plate to tone them down a bit. They were just a bit too raspy without it. That plug doesn't quiet them down a whole lot, just takes the rough edges off. They still sound great.

bsquared

I saw those allen bolt plugs, but don't see where they go. Isn't the baffle plate inside of the muffler? I don't see how they would come apart.
I have a machinist friend here who could make a plate if drew up the specs, or copied it from your photo, could be interesting. I'd hate to buy a junk bike just for the bracket, although, making a bobber would be neat possibility, but then, I'm way off track.

5twins · Full Member Joined: Aug 05, 2006 Posts: 1616

Look in the rear end of the muffler. The baffle plate is set in 2 or 3 inches. There is a hole in the center of it with a nut welded to it. That's where the allen bolt goes. With the bolt out, the exhaust can come through this hole plus diffuse around the outsides of the plate. With the bolt "plug" installed, the exhaust can only exit around the outer edges of the baffle plate. It doesn't seem like much, just plugging that small center hole, but it does make a noticeable difference in the sound - better I think. Here's mine with the allen bolt installed .....

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