Installing Black 4 into 1 Header and Muffler (Canister) on the standard

by Denny Zander - June 11, 1999

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Disclaimer: I am not an expert and don't claim to be one. Take this review as one average person,s experience with this product.

Product number: 14-2403-03, XS1100 - 1978-82 All Models

Purchase cost: $289.00 (at a local motorcycle parts and service store)  

The tall rings are for the Standard and the short rings are for the Special.  The canister is not Round and is a straight through glass pack.

Two pieces of documentation provided (click to enlarge for reading).

First thing I noticed is that the mounting bolt will not fit into the mounting slot in any way.  The instructions do not give a clue on how this is intended to fit.  I am only guessing that it has to fit in there some how.  This turned out to be academic because the muffler would not fit on anyway.

Assembling the pipes into the collector is a three handed job.  One hand to hold the space ring and flange, the second to hold the top of the tube in to the head, and the third to fit the bottom of the pipe into the collector.  I found this to be very frustrating.  I had to use a rubber hammer to lightly tap the tubes into the collector.  I also had to use the head studs to pull number 2 pipe into place.   It is very difficult to assemble this pipe without scratching the surface.

Looks like number 1 tube has to come off to change the filter.  There is a slim chance the filter will slip out after dropped down an inch.  If number one does have to be removed, it should not be too difficult.

Here is where the real problems started.  The aluminum bracket of the Standard is lower and longer than the Special.  This extra length prevents the muffler from sliding on the pipe.  It may be possible to pickup a pipe extension that would move the muffler back to clear the aluminum bracket.  I thing it would fit the Special.

I also had to pry the header pipe out from the frame and center stand mount.  This was not easy.  I had to place my left foot on the swing arm and my right on the clutch cover and pull like hell.  Because the four tube slip into the collector, there is some give for this.  I notices after running the engine and warming the pipe up, it was easier to hold out.

Here the pipe was pulled out far enough to slip the muffler on.  The right buddy peg had to be removed.  The muffler is not attached, so more work is needed to hold it on.  Looks good with the blacked out motor, forks and shocks.

The pipe exits from under the bike around the foot brake pad.  Runs along the side, under the foot peg.  There is a chance under a hard right lean, this system could drag.

Summary:

I went into this with the expectation that $289 is not much for a header as headers go.   I also don't mind some customizing as it is what I like to do.  The header system clearly does not fit my Standard and I doubt it would fit any Standard. It looks like it would fit much better on a Special.  

The coating on the header is simple high temp enamel as best I can tell.  I doubt it will hold up right at the head.  The plus side is that it is easy to touch up. 

The exhaust tone from this system is nice at idle and gets rather load as the throttle is opened up.  A full throttle blast in first gear would be heard for several blocks.  

I do like the overall looks.  It is what I was looking for.

I had already planned to remove the aluminum brackets as they do not fit the look I am going for and I do not ride passengers anyway.  This means I will have to fabricate a brake lever housing and muffler hanger. I also plan on building a larger (quieter) muffler.

If I expected this product to be a simple bolt on exhaust system, I would be very disappointed and sending it back for a refund.

I would not recommend this product to any one expecting it to fit on a Standard, and I would caution any one considering this product for a Special.