Motorcycle Repair: changing exhaust pipes, loud pipes, exhaust pipes

Question
Falcon,
I have a 1980 Honda CB750K. It has aftermarket 4-2 pipes, but the conical shape of them interferes with the center stand, so the stand tends to bottom out when I hit a dip or going over the curb to get into the driveway. I'd like to replace the mufflers to be slimmer so the stand fits better, plus if it could get a bit louder that's always good (loud pipes save lives!). However, I know that changing pipes has the potential to affect performace due to differences in back pressure. How do I know what kind of pressure is acceptable, and how can it be measured? Thanks,
Stu

Answer
Hi Stu.

First thing;

URBAN MYTH.  Loud pipes save lives.

FACT.  They do nothing more than make you deaf and annoy the neighbors.  You can check it out through the U.S. DOT.  They have the stats on that one.

Now, as far as the exhaust pipes that you want to put on, you should either replace the system with the factory exhaust, or you could find one of the myriad tunable exhausts that are out there.  One that I have seen is the tailgunner exhaust (www.tailgunnerexhaust.com).  I am rather impressed with what I have seen of it.  And, if you MUST have loud pipes, then it definitely fits the bill there as well.

Good luck and ride safe.
FALCON