As they might say in Follywood, "That's an
exhaust wrap!" And so it is for my latest R65 adventure.
Rains went away and right now it's 80+ degrees, clear and calm. Grand kids can fend for themselves. Time to ride.
After the x-overectomy of the exhaust header crossover tubes, pitiful me can't tell any difference in the '83s operational performance. Nada. The bike starts right up, idles as it should, excellent mid-range ops, pulls like a
miniature freight train and still hits the ton without strain. Did it just now...
The header wrap material
maybe reduces a little noise at the front end but the rorty Norton peashooters make up for it. Unoffensive exhaust note when puttering through the neighborhoods at 4K revs and below. But twist the loud handle and run it up toward 7K and the music plays. Certainly
sounds healthy.
This is what the '83 looked like when I brought it home. Hair-lipped front fender, dented tank, cracked side panels, torn seat cover, dented aft tail piece and thick, orange peel paint. A homely step-child but a good runner.
Today, her body enhancements and skin treatments have her all buffed up and purty, in a good way. I think the Sergeant will approve.

For those interested in parts sources and expenses for the exhaust project, here ya go:
EMGO Repop Norton Commando Peashooter Mufflers
P3 Motorcycle Parts and Accessories
$159.98 pair w/free shipping
eBay store
http://tinyurl.com/6p9n2hwJEGS 1-in x 50-ft Tan Fiberglass Header Wrap
JEGS High Performance
$19.99 plus shipping
http://tinyurl.com/7thtz5910/pkg 8-in Stainless Steel Zip Ties
Lowe’s Home Improvement
$4.81
Welding
$30.00