Muzzy Exhaust: Difference between revisions

(18 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)

Line 3:

The Muzzy pipe is a popular mod for the EX250. There are a few things to consider before you put one on, though. There is more to putting a Muzzy on your bike than pulling it out of the box and bolting it in place. Here are a couple things to consider:

*Installing a Muzzy requires you to lose the centerstand - you can~~'t have the centerstand and the Muzzy~~.

*Installing a Muzzy usually requires you to lose the centerstand, although see below for how you can keep it.

*You '''[[I want to improve my carburetor jetting.|need to rejet]]''' and fine tune the carbs.

*You '''[[I want to improve my carburetor jetting|need to rejet]]''' and fine tune the carbs.

*You need to cut the lower cowl around the pipe, as it will melt if you don't.

*While you are rejetting you might as well ~~cut out your airbox and add some pods~~. You will have to pull your carbs off several times to get the jetting right. ~~Putting filter pods on~~ makes taking the carbs off much easier. ~~It also increases the noise your bike makes, but if you're buying a Muzzy, you're not concerned with noise…~~

*While you are rejetting you might as well [[Battery box mod for easier carb removal|modify the battery box]]. You will have to pull your carbs off several times to get the jetting right. This makes taking the carbs off much easier.

*If you're a high mileage rider, the stock pipes have the advantage of being maintenance-free. All other pipes require maintenance at some interval.

*A Muzzy will reduce weight. The stock system weighs about 18.75 lbs. A Muzzy system weighs 7.5 lbs. The stock mufflers alone weigh 13.5 lbs.

==The melting problem==

Line 34:

Line 35:

Understandably, most people want to keep their centerstand when they put on a Muzzy system. Centerstands are very useful.

There are a few problems with this, however. First, the spring that holds the stand in place when retracted rubs the Muzzy's larger head pipe.

There are a few problems with this, however. First, the spring that holds the stand in place when retracted rubs the Muzzy's larger head pipe. It ''just'' touches the pipe when the stand is down. When it's up all is fine, so this shouldn't be a problem for most people.

Second, there is no "stop" for the stand anymore when retracted (since the left canister is gone); there is nothing to keep the spring from pulling the centerstand up into the swing arm and drivechain. You could ~~possibly~~ fabricate a bracket to hold it in place~~, but it would involve some skill and is not a standard mod, so there isn't much information about it~~.

Second, there is no "stop" for the stand anymore when retracted (since the left canister is gone); there is nothing to keep the spring from pulling the centerstand up into the swing arm and drivechain. You could fabricate a bracket to hold it in place. One example looks like this:

~~Lastly, the Muzzy is designed to increase performance a bit, sound good, and look good~~. ~~One way it looks good is by really cleaning up the back of the bike; with the stock exhaust cans gone the swing arm is fully visible. If you leave the centerstand on, it will be quite an eyesore~~.

:[[image:823206.jpg|120px]] [[image:832717.jpg|120px]]

~~Without meaning~~ to ~~discourage anyone from trying~~, it's ~~probably~~ more trouble than it's worth to keep it~~. You~~ can buy a nice swingarm stand for about $70-100 ~~though~~, which will let you do most of the maintenance the centerstand allows. The only time you'll probably still use the centerstand is when you're doing ~~rear~~ suspension work; the stand can be loosely attached temporarily with two 17mm bolts, and put back in the parts bin when the work is done.

:Get a piece of aluminum strip about 1/8" thick and 3/4 or 1" wide. Twist the ends to align with the passenger footpeg mounting bolt on one end and the left peg bracket on the other. Thinner than 1/8" and it won't be strong enough. Thicker and you'll have problems twisting and bending it into shape.

Lastly, the Muzzy is designed to increase performance a bit, sound good, and look good. One way it looks good is by really cleaning up the back of the bike; with the stock exhaust cans gone the swingarm is fully visible. If you leave the centerstand on, it will be quite an eyesore. Totally opinion, of course.

If you decide it's more trouble than it's worth to keep it, you can buy a nice [[Supporting Your Bike While Servicing|swingarm stand]] for about $70-100, which will let you do most of the maintenance the centerstand allows. The only time you'll probably still use the centerstand is when you're doing suspension work; the stand can be loosely attached temporarily with two 17mm bolts, and put back in the parts bin when the work is done.

==How much difference does the Muzzy exhaust system make?==

Line 46:

Line 51:

====One opinion====

I have just finished installing my second Muzzy system. The entire system weighs just 5 1/2 lbs on my bathroom scale. The stock mufflers alone weighed 13 1/2 lbs. I didn't weigh the headpipes and centerstand but it's a few pounds more off the bike as well. The stainless steel head pipe looks great and fits perfectly. You can search the Ninja 250 board for installation tips if you need them. Less weight + more power = faster, better-handling bike.

The Muzzy is loud, but it has a deep tone; I don't think it is obnoxious. A good helmet keeps most of the noise out. Oil filter and drain plug access is fine. The stainless steel head pipe looks great and fits perfectly. Less weight + more power = a faster, better-handling bike.

The Muzzy is loud, but it has a deep tone; I don't think it is obnoxious. A good helmet keeps most of the noise out. Oil filter and drain plug access is fine.

====Another opinion====

Line 54:

Line 57:

Muzzy is a great pipe - but it's going to cost you more cash than the performance increase is worth.

Not only do you have to shell out $400 + for the pipe, you need to rejet ~~($), convert your air box to filter pods (optional, but most people do it)~~($), get rid of your center stand (buy a work stand for doing maintenance)($), cut your lower cowl (so it doesn't melt – it's not a perfect fit), and repack the core occasionally.

Not only do you have to shell out $400 + for the pipe, you need to rejet ($), get rid of your center stand (buy a work stand for doing maintenance)($), cut your lower cowl (so it doesn't melt – it's not a perfect fit), and repack the core occasionally (time)($).

====[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkQ65N0vHyA Sound clip]====

Line 62:

Line 64:

[http://forums.ninja250.org/viewtopic.php?p=407287#407287 FDT Muzzy 1]

~~[http://forums.ninja250.org/viewtopic.php?p=149422#149422 FDT Muzzy 2]~~

@@ Line 3: / Line 3: @@
 The Muzzy pipe is a popular mod for the EX250. There are a few things to consider before you put one on, though. There is more to putting a Muzzy on your bike than pulling it out of the box and bolting it in place. Here are a couple things to consider:
-*Installing a Muzzy requires you to lose the centerstand - you can't have the centerstand and the Muzzy.
+*Installing a Muzzy usually requires you to lose the centerstand, although see below for how you can keep it.
-*You '''[[I want to improve my carburetor jetting.|need to rejet]]''' and fine tune the carbs.
+*You '''[[I want to improve my carburetor jetting|need to rejet]]''' and fine tune the carbs.
 *You need to cut the lower cowl around the pipe, as it will melt if you don't.
-*While you are rejetting you might as well cut out your airbox and add some pods. You will have to pull your carbs off several times to get the jetting right. Putting filter pods on makes taking the carbs off much easier. It also increases the noise your bike makes, but if you're buying a Muzzy, you're not concerned with noise…
+*While you are rejetting you might as well [[Battery box mod for easier carb removal|modify the battery box]]. You will have to pull your carbs off several times to get the jetting right. This makes taking the carbs off much easier.
 *If you're a high mileage rider, the stock pipes have the advantage of being maintenance-free. All other pipes require maintenance at some interval.
+*A Muzzy will reduce weight. The stock system weighs about 18.75 lbs. A Muzzy system weighs 7.5 lbs. The stock mufflers alone weigh 13.5 lbs.
 ==The melting problem==
@@ Line 34: / Line 35: @@
 Understandably, most people want to keep their centerstand when they put on a Muzzy system. Centerstands are very useful.
-There are a few problems with this, however. First, the spring that holds the stand in place when retracted rubs the Muzzy's larger head pipe.
+There are a few problems with this, however. First, the spring that holds the stand in place when retracted rubs the Muzzy's larger head pipe. It ''just'' touches the pipe when the stand is down. When it's up all is fine, so this shouldn't be a problem for most people.
-Second, there is no "stop" for the stand anymore when retracted (since the left canister is gone); there is nothing to keep the spring from pulling the centerstand up into the swing arm and drivechain. You could possibly fabricate a bracket to hold it in place, but it would involve some skill and is not a standard mod, so there isn't much information about it.
+Second, there is no "stop" for the stand anymore when retracted (since the left canister is gone); there is nothing to keep the spring from pulling the centerstand up into the swing arm and drivechain. You could fabricate a bracket to hold it in place. One example looks like this:
-Lastly, the Muzzy is designed to increase performance a bit, sound good, and look good. One way it looks good is by really cleaning up the back of the bike; with the stock exhaust cans gone the swing arm is fully visible. If you leave the centerstand on, it will be quite an eyesore.
+:[[image:823206.jpg|120px]] [[image:832717.jpg|120px]]
-Without meaning to discourage anyone from trying, it's probably more trouble than it's worth to keep it. You can buy a nice swingarm stand for about $70-100 though, which will let you do most of the maintenance the centerstand allows. The only time you'll probably still use the centerstand is when you're doing rear suspension work; the stand can be loosely attached temporarily with two 17mm bolts, and put back in the parts bin when the work is done.
+:Get a piece of aluminum strip about 1/8" thick and 3/4 or 1" wide. Twist the ends to align with the passenger footpeg mounting bolt on one end and the left peg bracket on the other. Thinner than 1/8" and it won't be strong enough. Thicker and you'll have problems twisting and bending it into shape.
+Lastly, the Muzzy is designed to increase performance a bit, sound good, and look good. One way it looks good is by really cleaning up the back of the bike; with the stock exhaust cans gone the swingarm is fully visible. If you leave the centerstand on, it will be quite an eyesore. Totally opinion, of course.
+If you decide it's more trouble than it's worth to keep it, you can buy a nice [[Supporting Your Bike While Servicing|swingarm stand]] for about $70-100, which will let you do most of the maintenance the centerstand allows. The only time you'll probably still use the centerstand is when you're doing suspension work; the stand can be loosely attached temporarily with two 17mm bolts, and put back in the parts bin when the work is done.
 ==How much difference does the Muzzy exhaust system make?==
@@ Line 46: / Line 51: @@
 ====One opinion====
-I have just finished installing my second Muzzy system. The entire system weighs just 5 1/2 lbs on my bathroom scale. The stock mufflers alone weighed 13 1/2 lbs. I didn't weigh the headpipes and centerstand but it's a few pounds more off the bike as well. The stainless steel head pipe looks great and fits perfectly. You can search the Ninja 250 board for installation tips if you need them. Less weight + more power = faster, better-handling bike.
+The Muzzy is loud, but it has a deep tone; I don't think it is obnoxious. A good helmet keeps most of the noise out. Oil filter and drain plug access is fine. The stainless steel head pipe looks great and fits perfectly. Less weight + more power = a faster, better-handling bike.
-The Muzzy is loud, but it has a deep tone; I don't think it is obnoxious. A good helmet keeps most of the noise out. Oil filter and drain plug access is fine.
 ====Another opinion====
@@ Line 54: / Line 57: @@
 Muzzy is a great pipe - but it's going to cost you more cash than the performance increase is worth.
-Not only do you have to shell out $400 + for the pipe, you need to rejet ($), convert your air box to filter pods (optional, but most people do it)($), get rid of your center stand (buy a work stand for doing maintenance)($), cut your lower cowl (so it doesn't melt – it's not a perfect fit), and repack the core occasionally.
+Not only do you have to shell out $400 + for the pipe, you need to rejet ($), get rid of your center stand (buy a work stand for doing maintenance)($), cut your lower cowl (so it doesn't melt – it's not a perfect fit), and repack the core occasionally (time)($).
 ====[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkQ65N0vHyA Sound clip]====
@@ Line 62: / Line 64: @@
 [http://forums.ninja250.org/viewtopic.php?p=407287#407287 FDT Muzzy 1]
-[http://forums.ninja250.org/viewtopic.php?p=149422#149422 FDT Muzzy 2]