Replacing the end can - what about the downpipes?

Hi,

I got a stainless end can off ebay to replace the current standard can that's currently on the CB500S. The existing can is beat up and rusted, and my main aim is to make the bike look a bit less skanky.

Anyway, I looked at the Haynes manual today and the advice is to remove the entire exhaust, downpipes and all, assemble the new can to the old downpipes, and then put the whole assembly back. The thing is, I'd really prefer to avoid doing this as I don't want to risk stripping the bolts that secure the pipes to the engine.

So here's my question: it is possible to replace the end can while leaving the downpipes in place? Any one done this before? Any advice?

Cheers!

Yes you'd be absolutely off your nut to take the downpipes off to fit a can. Haynes writers piss around on brand new bikes so it's easy fucking peasy to take the headers off.

Just undo the clamp and slip the original can off, and slip the new one on. HTH

The only problem will be if the can has rusted to the downpipes; then it will be a complete sod to separate unless you can get hold of a decent blowlamp to heat it up.

I ended up ditching the entire lot and getting a complete system, apart from the lack of rust and no more yearly re-paints it looks a hell of a lot better!

easy job to do, I got a 2" inlet Scorpion race can off ebay for £10 cut it down from 450mm to 380mm because it had a dent, repacked it with eglass £10, new removable baffles £15 link pipe from delkevic.co.uk 20 minutes and job done left headers alone.

http://www.delkevic.co.uk/?section=shop&bike_manufacturer=honda&bike_model=cb500_19942003&product_category=exhaust_s7rhj&sub_category=link_pipes_uoax3&product=honda_link_pipes&variant=cb500_sport_link_pipe_________stainless_steel_inc_clamp
maybe stainless headers next year
Hope all goes well.
Regards.
Martin.

Thanks everyone - really helpful. I've give it go at the weekend.

All done. Sounds good, and got a bit more power, too. Thanks again.

Well done that man!

Great its nice to have more power