Ascot Forum

First Generation Ascots => Classified Ads => Topic started by: J6G1Z on November 26, 2013, 10:48:11 am

Title: High Performance Exhaust System For The FT500
Post by: J6G1Z on November 26, 2013, 10:48:11 am: How many people would absolutely commit to purchasing a performance exhaust header system for their FT500?

The system would not be complete with a muffler. It would only consist of the head pipes, down tubes & collector section. You would have to source your own muffler from either a Sports Bike, an EMGO reverse megaphone, or a Super Trapp universal muffler, etc. The exhaust is patterned after the old White Brothers Ascot pipe.

I need an absolute commitment & probably a down-payment to place the order. Of course if the order was not completed for whatever reason your money would be 100% refunded.

I know of a manufacturer that is sitting on a pile of these exhaust systems that are not 100% completed yet. He ran out of steam on finishing the project due to lack of sales. If we can show enough interest, I'm thinking we could get him to finish the pipes & sell them.

Please let me know what you think.

Thank you
J.
Title: Re: High Performance Exhaust System For The FT500
Post by: exdursley on November 26, 2013, 09:06:47 pm: Do you know how much he wants John?
Title: Re: High Performance Exhaust System For The FT500
Post by: J6G1Z on November 26, 2013, 09:12:15 pm: I believe the head pipes are in the $165 range. I need to verify that for certain though. I'm just trying to see how much interest there would be.

Thanks
J.
Title: Re: High Performance Exhaust System For The FT500
Post by: J6G1Z on November 26, 2013, 09:15:27 pm: Here are a couple of pictures that show how close the pipes follow the frame.
Title: Re: High Performance Exhaust System For The FT500
Post by: J6G1Z on November 26, 2013, 09:16:47 pm: Here are a few more pics that show some different muffler options.
Title: Re: High Performance Exhaust System For The FT500
Post by: Street Tracker 37 on November 26, 2013, 09:48:13 pm: I more than likley would be interested once all the facts are known.
Title: Re: High Performance Exhaust System For The FT500
Post by: wiguzziman on November 27, 2013, 03:09:48 pm: Interesting looking exhaust system. From the photos included it appears that the head pipes join in front of the crankcase (ahead of the stock joining point of the head pipes). I assume that these are single wall pipes. Any dimensions--head pipe ID, intermediate pipe ID, outlet OD, ect? How many separate pieces are there, or is the header system all one piece? If you could nail down an exact price that would help. Probably the more sets ordered the lower the price?? Thanks for all the work on this!!

wiguzziman
Title: Re: High Performance Exhaust System For The FT500
Post by: thumperdh on November 27, 2013, 11:05:32 pm: I'll take one.
Title: Re: High Performance Exhaust System For The FT500
Post by: J6G1Z on November 28, 2013, 10:09:48 am: The header assembly is single wall & is a copy of the White Brothers pipe, which I believe was a copy of the HRC pipe. The header is one piece if I understand correctly & then you add the muffling section of your choice.

Here is a drawing of the HRC pipe with a few dimensions. http://ascot500.com/index.php?topic=4.0

This new pipe is already finished with a ceramic type of coating. I'm still trying to collect more facts & maybe I can get the manufacturer to reply directly to the forum. I will be e-mailing a link to this post directly to him. He doesn't mess with the computer much, so we'll see.

Thank you for your interest
J.
Title: Re: High Performance Exhaust System For The FT500
Post by: thumperdh on November 29, 2013, 07:06:04 pm: J6G1Z, any info on what this muffler is or where to track one down?

(http://i.imgur.com/KyzwgJc.jpg)
Title: Re: High Performance Exhaust System For The FT500
Post by: J6G1Z on November 29, 2013, 09:41:57 pm: That's the EMGO reverse megaphone. I have one on my hybrid bike & it's loud. It's a straight through design with a perforated core, but I don't think there is much to any sound damping material inside.

EMGO also has a reverse megaphone that the end comes off so you can re-pack the sound damping material.

Here is a link to more info: http://www.emgo.com/images/pdf/2013_Muffler.pdf

Good luck
J.
Title: Re: High Performance Exhaust System For The FT500
Post by: thewiddaman on February 01, 2014, 04:37:39 am: I would commit to a system even though it would have to be shipped to the UK.
Title: Re: High Performance Exhaust System For The FT500
Post by: J6G1Z on February 01, 2014, 10:35:15 am: I touched bases with the manufacturer about a week & a half ago. He's finally in a financial position to approach a few machine shops to get quotes on the finish grinding or cutting that needs to be performed. Hopefully he will have some pipes ready to be sold in the next month or two.

Meanwhile anyone who is interested, needs to start saving up so you will have enough money to place an order soon. It will be somewhat embarrasing to me if I'm the only one that places an order. I need to save up for two of them.

Keep in mind that the original header pipes on our Ascots are dual wall tubing. They are notorious for having rust develop in between the tubes to the point that the two tubes seperate & begin to rattle real bad. So far, I've been lucky & both of my bikes haven't suffered this fate, but it's only a matter of time.

Another thing to keep in mind, is that this is THE last run of after-market performance headers for our bikes. After these are sold, that will probably be the end of availability.

Start saving those pennies.
J.
Title: Re: High Performance Exhaust System For The FT500
Post by: thumperdh on February 02, 2014, 10:47:36 am: Great to hear J. I just started to notice some rattle from my pipes since I've been wearing a 3/4 shell helmet around town now.
Title: Re: High Performance Exhaust System For The FT500
Post by: J6G1Z on February 02, 2014, 12:01:23 pm: Quote from: thumperdh on February 02, 2014, 10:47:36 am
Great to hear J. I just started to notice some rattle from my pipes since I've been wearing a 3/4 shell helmet around town now.

Yep, It happens. You can fix it by cutting some small holes on the backside of the tubes where you can't normally see them. Then weld the inner tube to the outer tube through the holes that you cut. It's a band-aide, but it's the easiest way that I'm aware of to cure the rattle.

Good luck
J.
Title: Re: High Performance Exhaust System For The FT500
Post by: DonDDR on February 02, 2014, 11:47:42 pm: As soon as I can come up w a bike! Wonder if I cant get an FT and have to end up using a XL/R500, how much modification to make it fit that bike?
Title: Re: High Performance Exhaust System For The FT500
Post by: J6G1Z on February 03, 2014, 09:55:36 am: Quote from: DonDDR on February 02, 2014, 11:47:42 pm
As soon as I can come up w a bike! Wonder if I cant get an FT and have to end up using a XL/R500, how much modification to make it fit that bike?

Are you asking if the exhaust will adapt to the XR/XL500? If so, there is probably a pipe still available for the XR/XL bikes as they made a whole lot more of them. Try checking out XR's Only, Super Trapp & Powroll to name a few possibilities.

DonDDR, What type of project bike are you envisioning? It may be that an XR or XL would be a better donor or foundation.

Good luck
J.
Title: Re: High Performance Exhaust System For The FT500
Post by: DonDDR on February 03, 2014, 02:26:33 pm: Ah, to clarify, I was going to us a XR/XL bike for double duty. Looks like I can run one as a flat track and supermoto bike. Wont really fit into a main stream class but cause I am "older" I can run in the 40 yr old guy classes which is cool. I have raced my F2 at PIR and done some drag racing. I just want to try a new racing venue. Been looking for a XR/L bike and have not found much. I forgot about the Ascot till the other day in my searches for an XL/R. So if I do use an XR/L I need a low mount exhaust.
Title: Re: High Performance Exhaust System For The FT500
Post by: plasticadam on February 25, 2014, 07:26:59 am: Quote from: thewiddaman on February 01, 2014, 04:37:39 am
I would commit to a system even though it would have to be shipped to the UK.

Just seen this and I would also want one in the UK. Not sure if packing them together with combined shipping may be cheaper - then re-sending within the UK? That is unless shipping charges can be kept to a sensible level.
Title: Re: High Performance Exhaust System For The FT500
Post by: J6G1Z on February 25, 2014, 11:15:55 am: I should probably call for an update.

I called about a month ago & the manufacturer was ready to approach some Machine Shops to get some quotes on performing the final machining operation. I try not to bother him too much. As always... I will keep you guys updated.

Thanks
J.
Title: Re: High Performance Exhaust System For The FT500
Post by: J6G1Z on February 25, 2014, 01:52:12 pm: I just called Mark at ThumperStuff & he informed me that he would ship to the U.K. as long as you trust your local shipper. He guestimatted shipping to be in the $65 range. Please understand that shipping figure is not carved in stone & was just an estimate.

THE REAL NEWS IS THAT HE IS READY TO ACCEPT ORDERS FOR THE NEW EXHAUST HEADER ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS.

Once you have placed your order, Mark will complete the final machining operation & then ship them out.

Please contact Mark & place your order as soon as you have saved up enough cash.
Here is the web-site & contact info: http://www.thumperstuff.com/FT500.html
Phone: (360)805-0272

Thank you
J.
Title: Re: High Performance Exhaust System For The FT500
Post by: J6G1Z on February 26, 2014, 01:50:37 pm: Well... I just placed my order for two sets of Headers. Should be here in about a week to a week & a half.

They are selling for $170 each, and are ready for your order.

Give Mark a call & reserve yourself a Header system while they last.

Thanks
J.
Title: Re: High Performance Exhaust System For The FT500
Post by: thumperdh on February 26, 2014, 06:51:46 pm: I should be ordering mine by the end of the week.

J is that 170 shipped or is shipping extra?
Title: Re: High Performance Exhaust System For The FT500
Post by: J6G1Z on February 26, 2014, 09:31:46 pm: I believe that shipping is extra.

The $170 covers the ceramic coated Header & the exhaust gaskets.

Good luck
J.
Title: Re: High Performance Exhaust System For The FT500
Post by: thumperdh on March 14, 2014, 08:02:33 pm: Ordered mine today. ;D
Title: Re: High Performance Exhaust System For The FT500
Post by: J6G1Z on March 14, 2014, 08:33:25 pm: Good deal.

I'm waiting for mine to arrive. Can't wait to see them & be able to post up some more pics.

Good luck
J.
Title: Re: High Performance Exhaust System For The FT500
Post by: J6G1Z on March 21, 2014, 12:49:54 pm: My Header Pipes arrived yesterday. One is a gloss finish & one is a matte finish. They both look awesome!

Here are some pics for the rest of you folks that have been waiting to learn more.
Title: Re: High Performance Exhaust System For The FT500
Post by: J6G1Z on March 21, 2014, 12:50:48 pm: 8)
Title: Re: High Performance Exhaust System For The FT500
Post by: thumperdh on March 26, 2014, 12:52:29 pm: J, did you get your headers mounted up yet?
Title: Re: High Performance Exhaust System For The FT500
Post by: J6G1Z on March 26, 2014, 03:32:35 pm: Not yet. :-[ I've been tied up on other projects/chores. :(

I was going to do it today, but I need to work on a different bike first.

How about you? Has your order arrived yet?

Thanks
J.
Title: Re: High Performance Exhaust System For The FT500
Post by: thumperdh on March 27, 2014, 08:50:32 pm: I just got mine in today. Looks great, mine was one of the glossy versions. It's dark and raining down here in Florida and I have to work or travel every day in the foreseeable future so i'm not sure when I'll have it mounted.
Title: Re: High Performance Exhaust System For The FT500
Post by: J6G1Z on March 27, 2014, 11:55:13 pm: I plan on heat cycling mine at first, to make sure that the ceramic finish is cured. I'm going to start the bike & warm the header pipe just slightly, then shut it down, let it cool & repeat. Each time I'm going to let the pipe get a bit hotter than the last & then let it cool to the touch & repeat.

I had a set of headers ceramic coated & this heating/cooling cycle was recommended/required to maintain the warranty.

Good luck
J.
Title: Re: High Performance Exhaust System For The FT500
Post by: thumperdh on March 28, 2014, 09:31:34 pm: Okay! Managed to sneak out of work a little early tonight to put the exhaust on.

Here's what you need to know when you put the head pipe on.

The 12mm bolt that holds the regular head pipe on right below the RH foot peg is not needed to install the Thumperstuff Head pipe, instead of mounting with the 12mm bolt, the head pipe bolts up to the 17mm bolt just above it. If you leave the 12mm bolt in place, it will not fit.

The O.D. of the head pipe where you will bolt your muffler to is almost exactly 1 3/4" so if you have a supertrapp exhaust like mine with a 1 3/4" O.D. you will have to bend it a bit to fit.

The fit isn't perfect, you will have to mock it up and bend it just a hair to get everything to sit right. Don't worry, this isn't anything you can't do by hand.

(http://i.imgur.com/2CGZY2O.jpg)
Title: Re: High Performance Exhaust System For The FT500
Post by: J6G1Z on May 05, 2014, 09:55:11 pm: I finally made the time to install my new Header Pipe today. It was all pretty straight forward. Carefully remove the old exhaust system & hang on to the bolt (12mm head I think) that you remove near the lower motor mount. You won't be needing that bolt for the new exhaust but you should keep it with old exhaust system. Next you need to remove the lower rear most motor mount nut & washer. The new pipe hangs from the motor mount instead of the place where the old pipe connected. The only part of the exhaust swap that gave me any problem was trying to keep the new exhaust gaskets in place & slipping the collars in while holding everything in position. After a couple of failed attempts, I used a thin strip of masking tape to hold the gaskets in place. That allowed me to get it all together & then I burnt some of the tape during start up. A bit primitive, but it worked.

I have a Cobra slip on muffler from my stock exhaust. The Cobra exhaust inlet is sized for the OEM pipe & is a larger I.D. than what will fit the ThumperStuff Header outlet. Fortunately I had one of those universal 3-piece exhaust reducer sets laying around & one fit the gap perfectly. This allowed everything to be snugged up evenly & fit real well.

When you hold the OEM exhaust downtubes next to the ThumperStuff Header, the benefits & advantages of the ThumperStuff Pipe are readily apparent. Nice long, smooth down tubes that merge together well at the collector, vs. the OEM pipes design where the exhaust pulses look as though they collide together. The ThumperStuff Header is a very nice Pipe! 8)

Anybody have anything else to add, or have any questions?

Thanks
J.
Title: Re: High Performance Exhaust System For The FT500
Post by: J6G1Z on May 07, 2014, 06:48:45 pm: Here are a few more pictures of the Header mounted on the bike. Look how closely it follows the engine. It fits high & tight like it should.
Title: Re: High Performance Exhaust System For The FT500
Post by: J6G1Z on May 07, 2014, 06:51:05 pm: 8)
Title: Re: High Performance Exhaust System For The FT500
Post by: scottly on May 07, 2014, 10:52:17 pm: J, any idea of the weight difference between the HP pipe and the stock one? Weight is a very important consideration to me; in fact the weight of the stock air-box is what prompted me to go with the K&N filter.
Thanks
Title: Re: High Performance Exhaust System For The FT500
Post by: J6G1Z on May 08, 2014, 10:12:46 am: Quote from: scottly on May 07, 2014, 10:52:17 pm
J, any idea of the weight difference between the HP pipe and the stock one? Weight is a very important consideration to me; in fact the weight of the stock air-box is what prompted me to go with the K&N filter.
Thanks

I had planned to weigh them, but I don't have a scale that accurate. There isn't as much difference between the original OEM headpipes & the ThumperStuff Header as there is with the other end of the pipe. The OEM muffler is pretty heavy. I'm guessing that the OEM headpipes are 1.5x as heavy as the Header. I'm also guessing that changing the muffler will remove almost 10 lbs from the bike.

The main benefit to the Header that I see besides larger I.D. headpipes, is where the two headpipes join at the collector. On the Header, they flow side by side & gently merge together. On the OEM headpipes, the left side pipe intersects the right side pipe at an almost 90 degree angle causing the exhaust pulses to collide into each other vs. merging together & enhancing the scavenging effect.

Please let me know if you have any other questions.

J.

PS. If you are trying to remove weight. Check out the AntiGravity Battery for the Ascot. http://antigravitybatteries.com/ag-1201 Check out the pricing on Amazon.com. This battery swap will remove 7 to 10+ lbs. of high mounted weight from your bike.
Title: Re: High Performance Exhaust System For The FT500
Post by: J6G1Z on July 11, 2014, 02:22:31 pm: It's hot outside already today, so I thought I'd take some "inside" pics for you all to check out.

Here is a side by side comparison of the ThumperStuff header & the OEM head-pipes.
Title: Re: High Performance Exhaust System For The FT500
Post by: J6G1Z on July 11, 2014, 02:26:25 pm: Take a look at how the head-pipes merge together at the collector. I'm thinking that this area of the pipe is where some gains are to be had. Check out how the left side OEM head-pipe joins the right. It's damn near a 90 degree angle, forcing one sides exhaust pulses, to collide into the other sides pulses, vs. smoothly merging together like the ThumperStuff pipe.
Title: Re: High Performance Exhaust System For The FT500
Post by: J6G1Z on July 11, 2014, 02:29:34 pm: There have been a few questions about the collector/outlet diameters.

Here is a pic of the ThumperStuff header outlet.
Title: Re: High Performance Exhaust System For The FT500
Post by: J6G1Z on July 11, 2014, 02:31:37 pm: ...And here is the OEM pipes outlet. Notice that it has a muffler gasket that increases the diameter.
Title: Re: High Performance Exhaust System For The FT500
Post by: J6G1Z on July 11, 2014, 02:41:12 pm: One of the several items that made an impression on me, was the OEM head-pipes inside diameter. When you remove the OEM pipe & look into the head-pipes, it's shocking how much the pipe tapers to a much smaller I.D. I used an inside diameter expanding gauge to measure the I.D. (Please excuse the blurry pic)

The OEM head-pipes I.D. measures: .837"

The ThumperStuff head-pipes I.D. measures: 1.22"

That is a sizable difference! If anyone else needs any measurements, please let me know by PM.

Thanks
J.
Title: Re: High Performance Exhaust System For The FT500
Post by: Lefty on July 11, 2014, 05:59:52 pm: I was amazed at how much larger Mark's pipes are, at first I didn't realize the OE were double walled.
I'm very excited to get my bike back on the road, by next week it should be ready- i rejetted & set my air filter on fire to add the green foam & oil.
Will let you all know how it goes.
Title: Re: High Performance Exhaust System For The FT500
Post by: thewiddaman on February 21, 2015, 06:28:43 am: Hi
Are the header pipes still available and can they be shipped to the UK
Thanks
Robert
Title: Re: High Performance Exhaust System For The FT500
Post by: J6G1Z on February 21, 2015, 07:30:07 am: Quote from: thewiddaman on February 21, 2015, 06:28:43 am
Hi
Are the header pipes still available and can they be shipped to the UK
Thanks
Robert

Robert,

To the best of my knowledge, the FT Ascot header system is still available from ThumperStuff. Realize that this is not a complete exhaust system. It is only the header pipes to the collector. You will also need a muffler/tail-pipe to add to the headers.

Here is the post on how to order.

I just called Mark at ThumperStuff & he informed me that he would ship to the U.K. as long as you trust your local shipper. He guestimatted shipping to be in the $65 range. Please understand that shipping figure is not carved in stone & was just an estimate.

THE REAL NEWS IS THAT HE IS READY TO ACCEPT ORDERS FOR THE NEW EXHAUST HEADER ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS.

Once you have placed your order, Mark will complete the final machining operation & then ship them out.

Please contact Mark & place your order as soon as you have saved up enough cash.
Here is the web-site & contact info: http://www.thumperstuff.com/FT500.html
Phone: (360)805-0272

Good luck
J.
Title: Re: High Performance Exhaust System For The FT500
Post by: thewiddaman on February 24, 2015, 07:28:54 am: Thanks for that - I'll make some enquiries!!

Regards
Robert
Title: Re: High Performance Exhaust System For The FT500
Post by: J6G1Z on February 24, 2015, 07:56:25 am: Quote from: thewiddaman on February 24, 2015, 07:28:54 am
Thanks for that - I'll make some enquiries!!

Regards
Robert

Hey there Robert,

Give Mark a call & see what he has to say about your shipping arrangements. If you haven't done so yet, you should also order the two larger carb jets & a 16 tooth countershaft sprocket. The Ascots run lean in the OEM configuration. Modifying the Intake/Exhaust sides of the engine will cause the bike to intake more air & need more fuel or it will be extra lean causing the engine to run hot. The 16 tooth countershaft allows you a bit more top-end speed & allows the engine to operate at a more relaxed RPM when on the freeway, etc. Mark usually has these parts in stock.

Good luck
J.
Title: Re: High Performance Exhaust System For The FT500
Post by: scottly on June 25, 2015, 10:13:39 pm: I spoke with Mark at ThumperStuff today (nice guy) and he only has 4 of these pipes left. The current price is $211 plus shipping, so if the inside of your header looks as bad as my left-side pipe, I would suggest you move quickly. ;)
The header on the right side of the pic is an XR pipe.
Title: Re: High Performance Exhaust System For The FT500
Post by: lowburb on January 14, 2017, 11:46:28 pm: None left anymore... sigh