Standard silencers/downpipes 1986 'C' reg bike

[Sprunghub]

If a 1986 'C' Reg bike still has it's original 'twin' silencers & downpipes are they going to be a single component or is the silencer a separate & removable from the pipe,
cheers

[SteveC#222]

I assume we're talking XBR here.  A C reg would originally have had seperate downpipes and silencer.  The one piece came in with, i think, the 87 SH model.

[Sprunghub]

Sorry - yes, XBR - trying to assess condition at long range via photos of a bike out of commission for the best part of a decade & one downpipe is very poor, the other looks 'fair' to good & the silencers look to be 'not too bad' (if not quite good).  I appreciate they may both be 'scrap' inside.

Not clear from the pics whether they were two components or not, although I thought they were, so thanks for the info.

[SteveC#222]

Downpipes are the big problem. You can fit almost any silncer you fancy but as far as I know, genuine XBR downpipes aren't available new in the UK. David Silver used to sell the one piece silencer/downpipes but I understand they are now out of stock - it may still be worth giving him a ring.  The only other way is to get some made up or keep an eye out on Ebay. Do remember that the XBR downpipes are double skinned, so although the chrome outer pipes may be trashed, the inner pipes may still be sound - mine were like that .

[Sprunghub]

Cheers Steve, being a cup half empty man I was prepared to assume that the fact the offside pipe is really completely devoid of all external chrome suggested it would be 'shot' inside.  I may be wrong !....knowing my luck it'll be fine & the one which looks quite good will be "more holey than righteousness" internally.

At the moment the whole enterprise is looking like a pipe dream -excuse the pun - as the seller has an entirely unrealistic expectation of the bikes value.  It's 180 miles from where I am & I can see it staying that way !

[SteveC#222]

Yes, unfortunately XBR's like GB's are starting to attract the interest of the 'Classic' crowd and prices are rising along with expexctations - I recently saw a GB500 ( admittedly a very nice one) up for just shy of £4K!! Don't pay too much, there are still some nice, reasonably cheap XBR's out there.

[guest295]

Black brush-on woodstove paint works very well on headpipes. It looks better than the chrome and stays on.

[guest833]

Black brush-on woodstove paint works very well on headpipes. It looks better than the chrome and stays on.

What make of paint do you use?

Cheers

[guest526]

When I painted my downpipes I used Granville cylinder head paint works a treat,much better than the high temp spray stuff,got it off ebay.

[guest833]

Nice one- will give it a go