Honda CBR900RR Exhaust Swap | Fireblade Project Bike | Do Later Stainless Steel Headers Fit? | 010

Honda CBR900RR Exhaust Swap | Fireblade Project Bike | Do Later Stainless Steel Headers Fit? | 010
In this episode, I change the exhaust header pipes on my CBR900RR project bike. This is the bike that I am going to use this Summer. I want it to be smart and reliable, but I am not aiming at a full restoration.
ABBA stand: ebay.us/IMMmJW
Bike lift: ebay.us/xAduJH
Small Torque Wrench: ebay.us/z2oe9X
The original mild steel exhaust header pipes are a little tatty and do have a couple of dents in the main area that can be seen where they join the end can. I did consider filling the dents, with weld, and repainting the headers. But I spotted that the later versions of this bike with the same engine had stainless steel headers, so I thought that this was a better option.
Having looked through the forums it did appear that there may be some issues with this swap. But it isn’t really clear. There appeared to be two main things. First, the mount at the rear of the header where it attaches to the frame, some people said it was in a slightly different place, or at a different angle, and needed to be adjusted to fit. Secondly, where the can is attached is different. The three holes for the can to screw to are moved around by around 30 degrees, so a standard early can will not attach because where it mounts to the footrest hanger is in a different place when it is attached to the header. This doesn’t matter with aftermarket cans, as they come with a strap that can be moved around.
I intended to use a standard can so I bought what I thought was one of the later cans to fit instead of the aftermarket Micron one that I had with the bike.
When I fitted the headers to the bike there were no real problems, other than a stud coming out and some odd fasteners. I used new seals, although the first ones that I bought were not suitable.
However, when I came to fit the end can, it was the wrong one. Although it was listed on eBay in a way that implied it should fit this model, it turned out to be from the 929, and is a little bigger in every dimension, and the 3 mounting holes are a good way off. It was too late to return it, lesson learned. I found it difficult to find good information about this. The thing to look out for is the stamping Sankei 2361 for the earlier bike it appears that you need 2337.
I decided to stick with the Micron for the time being, so it isn’t a major problem. And luckily I got the can for a really good price so I should be able to get my money back when I sell it. But I might buy a 929 so I won't rush :)
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[@cattz2510]

Hi mate. There are 4 mufflers for the Carby Blades. 92/93 then 94/95 then 96/97 then 98/99. 92/93 and 94/95 bolt up exactly the same, it's just the rear of the muffler is different. 96/97 and 98/99 have the mounting bolts in a slightly different spot compared to the early version. Also the 96/97 muffler has different mounting spot to the rear footpeg compared to the 98/99. Exhaust is longer. I can send you the pic of the 4 mufflers, and their SANKEI numbers, if you wish.

[@SPANNERRASH]

Hi mate, thanks for that comprehensive info. A list of the Sankei numbers would be really useful actually. I wonder how different the mounting on the 96/97 muffler is, I was hoping to fit a 98/99 muffler to match the headers I have fitted. Cheers!

[@kingkire1556]

@@SPANNERRASH What you need is a HM MAS E2.

[@NewportSigns]

Always enjoy your videos...even though I'm working on a Honda '73 CB750 there's a bit of similarity in the techniques. I enjoy your accent, My Mum's from Yorkshire and it's like being with family listening to you! All the best from the Oregon Coast!

[@SPANNERRASH]

Cheers Ken, really appreciate your comment, it's funny how you don't notice your own accent! I'm glad you enjoy it though and hopefully there are some useful tips in there for your own CB project.

[@FlyAmeliaEarheart]

Excellent video. Thank you.

[@SPANNERRASH]

Glad you liked it!

[@Johnpreston-sp9pc]

I did this conversation last year with new parts from CMSNL. The silencer should be as follows HM MAS E2 E13 0035 HONDA. Expensive but worth it. Hope this helps others.

[@SPANNERRASH]

Thanks, I am still using the old can. Hopefully I will find one with this part number.

[@lesmoore2514]

I've spent a bit more time looking at this now. I have one that is marked HM MAS E1 E13 0035 and SANKEI 2337 but the bracket that conects to the footrest seems to be an inch to far back to work. I can't see any cans marked with the E2 that you have put. I can see on CMSNL that there is a different part number betweeen the earlier and later SC33 bikes but I can't find any cans online that match the number they give, for the later bike so, I still don't know which is the correct can or why the one I have doesn't fit. It is surprising that this is such and issue.

[@VPROXE-HELLRAISER]

Hey I got the exact same bike 1996?...nice to see a blade project

[@SPANNERRASH]

I've been riding it too much to just call it a project! I will be making another few vids about it though. I am still considering which sticker kit to use, the standard yellow on black or silver and gold on black. Decisions Decisions. Take care.

[@peterinfante6187]

​​​@@SPANNERRASH I have the 95, she is mint like came off showroom floor except for the upgrades and mods. Have it jetted with K&N filter with the stainless Yosh headers and can. I cut the canister in half and re riveted it. Looks like factory kept the side with the emblem and it shows perfectly. Did the 520 chain and Vortex sprockets with the gold ek chain. Chromed the rims and threw on some vortex levers. To bad I can't post a photo. Get compliments all the time. She's a runner like a wild horse. Love the no abs or computer crap. Just you and the raw power and your skills. Still kept the 16 inch front rim but probably gonna get a 17inch front rim. Have Metzler q3 on it now great tires. But its slim pickings to get a matching set. Very limited. Your bike is coming along nicely, I'm sure she will look amazing when your done. Be blessed & stay safe..

[@johnhill9014]

The RRT uses a sankei 2337 muffler.

[@SPANNERRASH]

I'm still not out of the woods with this, as the headers aren't from an RRT so I'm not completely sure that a 2337 will fit.

[@nearkolob]

I have a 96 Fireblade with a stock header. I ordered an unused muffler that was off a 98 model bike (I think). It is stamped Sankei 2361 (HM MAS F2). It fits perfectly on my stock header pipe. I believe all the dimensions for the exhaust are identical from 94-99. At lease all the mounting points should match perfectly. That muffler could be from a 954 when they made essentially a new bike from the ground up. 92-99 had incremental upgrades even within generations but much remained the same. There are many parts that are interchangeable from 95 to 99. Have a look at the other number on that muffler. I am guessing you put that number into google and it will come up as a later model CBR like a sc44, sc50. As far as I can tell all Fireblades had a 2361 series Sankei muffler from the factory. Even if I am wrong, I do know that any SC33 generation bike has an interchangeable muffler. That is 96 to 99.

[@SPANNERRASH]

This is very interesting and I am going to have another look at Fireblad cans, what you are telling me isn't what I found. As you can see in the video the muffler I had was marked 2361 and did not fit (now sold on as fitting a 929, and not returned to me) . The bore where it connects to the header was too big, making the holes for the fixings too far apart, as well as the bracket to connect to the foot rest being in the wrong place. I have just watched my video back and it is exactly as I remembered and I read out the 2361. I really don't know why our experiences are different, looking on forums there seems to be lots of conflicting information, I can only go with what I found while making the video. If anybody reading this has a 93 - 99 blade with a standard can, please comment the model and the number stamped on the can to try to throw some light on this.

[@nearkolob]

@@SPANNERRASH There is another number stamped on the muffler. I don't think 2361 is a part number. I think it might be a series number. You should see another number with this format: HM MAS F2 (mine). I believe this is the part number that identifies the muffler specific to a year. Yes, that was a 929 muffler. All evidence points to 2361 not being a part umber but a series number. And that makes perfect sense if it was the same series muffler because it looked just like the 919 mufflers. Have a look at a 919 pipe compared to a 929 pipe. The 929 flares out before it connects to the muffler.

[@DebbieWinterson]

Hi Interesting video. Something I plan to do with my 1999 RRX. Just one question - I note that immediately below the exhaust ports are small milled holes about 1mm in diameter. Do you know purpose these serve? Thanks in advance Debbie

[@SPANNERRASH]

Sorry Debbie but I haven't got a clue, and if you watch to the end of the play list you will see why I can't go to have a look. :) Next time I am next to a blade I will have to see if I can spot them.

[@vincemarshall8550]

im not sure they are stainless mate ,some of the rot you see on them suggests they are mild steel with a nice coating ,my s1000rr has stainless ones with surface rust but not the serious decay ive seen on some of these. hmmm

[@SPANNERRASH]

I think that there are varying grades of stainless, and some of the fittings will be in mild steel. I think they are a thinner guage than the none "stainless" ones. They were much better than the ones being replaced.

[@1234567marks]

Hi Les, I had the No3 header clamping plate rot through on mine, therefore it lost all clamping force and header 3 leaked, I got all of the nuts off except 1, no amount of heat/penetrating oil helped, eventually I had the grind through one side of the nut and then eventually it unscrewed, I fitted black widow headers and I’m not happy with them, no amount of changing jets/needle position seems to get the smooth running flat spot free engine I had before, do you still have the headers that you removed, the clamping plates looked ok as far as I could tell in the video?, if you still have it I’d be interested in buying it from you, cheers Mark.

[@SPANNERRASH]

Hi Mark. Sorry but they've already gone to a new home. The headers can be a real nuisance. They always seem to rot somewhere. I was lucky when I was changing mine. Good luck with finding another good set.

[@1234567marks]

@@SPANNERRASH ok Les, no worries, I may even repair my original set, the Black Widow system has no internal baffling so it’s proving too difficult to set up correctly, I’ve had the carbs off 6 times now changing jets etc and I’ve had enough!! 😂, the last time I put them back to the original settings in readiness for fitting a stock set of headers back, I wish I’d seen the Delkevic set as they appear to have faithfully replicated the originals, oh well stock set to come and black widow s on eBay 😄

[@1234567marks]

Great video as always, I’ve got a leak on No3 header on my RRV, the clamps are rusted to hell on mine as are the nuts, so I doubt I’ll have the luck you had removing them, but you never know, I think I’ll replace mine with a black widow header, wish me luck!

[@SPANNERRASH]

Thanks Mark, I do hope they come out for you without too much of a fight. Soak them in plenty of penetrating oil like Plusgas, and give the engine a warm through before you start attacking them to give yourself the best chance of winning. :)

[@1234567marks]

@@SPANNERRASH will do, I’ll make some plasticine reservoirs to hold the penetrating oil in contact with the fixings for a few days ,,even so I’ve got a sneaky feeling I’ll get a snapper!, all part of the fun though eh!😄

[@SPANNERRASH]

@@1234567marks Sounds like a good trick there. I've got my fingers crossed for you mate.

[@denyB18]

Any carb adjustment after replacing headers?

[@SPANNERRASH]

The headers were from a slightly later SC33 Blade, the main difference being that they are mostly stainless steel, but otherwise pretty much the same so I didn't even consider changing the jetting. I was intending to go to a standard end can, but ended up staying with the Micron which came with the bike. I have never had the carbs apart so I don't know if the jets were changed for the pipe, but the bike ran well, and the plugs looked fine when I changed them during the service.

[@denyB18]

@@SPANNERRASH aha OK I see... Thank you for the quick response. Stay safe

[@apriliaguy4life198]

Will the 98/99 header fit the 92/93?

[@SPANNERRASH]

I believe that they will. The issues may be; where it mounts at the back I have heard that the brackets may need adjusting; and the muffler mounts on the OE are in a different place, but if you are using a muffler with a strap it doesn't matter. I hope this helps.

[@apriliaguy4life198]

@@SPANNERRASH Thanks