76 Convert - Exhaust Pipe Recommendations

[garycolwill]

When I acquired my 76 Convert the exhaust pipes were a bit ugly (see pics), along with most other chrome parts, so I was able to acquire a set of stock pipes in decent shape for $50. Since then, I've read that the stock pipes are too restrictive and reduce power while increasing heat. So, now I'm looking for recommendations. If I could find the ones that are on the bike now but less ugly, I'd go with that, but I'm not sure what they are.

[jkguzzi]

My used Convert came with what looked like J.C. Whitney mufflers. Too loud for my taste so I ordered a pair of stock units from MG Cycle. Much quieter but I never noticed any degradation of performance.

[chuck peterson]

Getting a set of stock mufflers for $50 is the key to success in this world of guzzi….you can now snap your red suspenders and say at Sunday breakfast, “I got those for $50..”

Everyone will oh and ahh in admiring grunts. 

Put them on. Use them as hard as you can. I doubt you’ll ever, ever find the outer edge of the performance envelope where you might see the need for less restrictive mufflers. You’re very lucky to find the stock ones for cheap. My god MGCycle has new ones for how much? I haven’t checked lately but they have to be expensive.

In the meantime post in the classifieds for BUBs, made during the period but not these days. There may be others I haven’t heard of. Somebody with their red suspenders may speak up and realize they’ve been hoarding them since the 80’s, “just in case i build that SP-G5-V1000-T-T3 cafe bike..”

The i believe the ones you have are actually one of the aftermarket ones you’re looking for. I forget the name but i remember seeing a pair unsold and covered in dust at a dealership. They ARE the more unrestricted ones you’re seeking. Have them sandblasted and painted hi temp black from the local powder coating house…and there you go, all done. Use earplugs.

About the only thing you can do to go faster on a Convert is to leave it in low range and twist the throttle full wide open, no matter which mufflers are on there

The Convert was intended to be a relaxed long range two up touring mystery..trying to make performance out of them means buying something else, like a LeMan 1-2-3-4-5, V11 Sport, Griso, V100 with a fat wallet

You have the huge police bars, typically hidden behind a 400 lb fairing from the 80’s. They sit you upright and back like a chair for 600 mile days

Shift between high and low range at a stop. The clutch isn’t used like a 5speed and will make outrageous noises if you shift too quickly while moving along above 5 mph. Think of it more like a riding mower where you stop, push a clutch with your foot, then change ranges, release clutch completely, then accelerate.

Convert conventional wisdom says to wave with your left hand while going full throttle with the right. Or while on your centerstand and idling, step in the rear brake. Both of these will make non guzzi folk’s eyeballs bounce around.

Enjoy the mighty Vert. Your brave…i rode two of them for 140k miles. Loved them…

[Dave Swanson]

I agree.  Since you will never be trying to eek out that last second in your drag strip time, the stock mufflers will suit the bike very well. 

I have the stock setup and am blissfully unaware that I am leaving a bit of top end performance behind.  I wouldn't dream of changing them out.

[chuck peterson]

Guzziology, an excellent source of all guzzi knowledge can be an excellent source of information and speaks directly about Converts inside and out. No need to get a newish version, get a used one and…

Snap your red suspenders…again 😁

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

If the baffles haven't broken loose inside your $50 pair of mufflers, then they'll flow well enough and will not cause any issues. I run the stock exhaust on my '76 and have ridden several others with more "free flowing" (loud) mufflers and they only sound faster.

[Bulldog9]

I have a full stainless steel exhaust from a Bassa. Was pretty much a simple bolt-on affair. With an h-pipe crossover.

[garycolwill]

Ok - I think the consensus is that I won't notice the performance difference, and I'm a pretty conservative rider nowadays anyway, so I'll use the $50 pair of stock mufflers and see how it goes. Thanks.

[Turin]

I'd get a set of Emgo Dunstall Replica mufflers.  They are not at all loud.  They are also not restrictive. They are cheap! The old dealer around here used to put them on all of the guzzi's he sold as a performance upgrade and swore by them. I took a set off of my Cali Hot Rod and replaced them with a set of BUBs. There wasn't any performance improvement with the open BUBs.

[Gusable]

I love all the red suspenders cracks, put a smile on my face! Do they have to be red I wear black ones. I can’t remember the brand right now, but they’re the kind that hook onto your belt and back on topic I still want to convert!  EDIT- Perry’s suspenders is my brand!