Motorcycle Repair: Exhaust Leak, honda interceptor, precise answer

Question
Hello-

I have a 1983 Honda Interceptor and she runs like a champ!  I have started to hear a tinny thinking sound that I believe and all my friends agree is an exhaust leak.  How much should I expect to pay to get this fixed at a shop?  Is it harmful to ride it while there is a leak?  Thank you for your time!

Answer
You'd get a much more precise answer about repair costs if you asked a bike shop, really. :-) Phone a few in your area and see who has the best price - which may not necessarily mean the best service, though. Ask your friends who they trust to repair their bikes.

A small exhaust leak will not hurt the motor if you ride sensibly, but if the noise gets louder you should take it to the shop as soon as possible. You can burn an exhaust valve or hole a piston, as a large exhaust leak will actually cause a cylinder to run lean and hot - hot enough to do serious damage.