Naked jugs - dePAIRing the M50

[Angusdog]

Once I realised the chrome blob on the left hand side of the motor was the PAIR (Pulsed AIR) valve, it had to go. It injects air into the exhaust on the overrun to "improve" the emissions. I don't believe it has much overall effect other than tricking the emissions 'sniffer', and I don't like the faux-chrome plastic.

The theory is blanking off the air delivery tubes for each cylinder, remove the chrome tubes and hoses, plug the hole where one hose went into the airbox, and zip-tie the solenoid out of harms way. Full instructions here. The Volusia, C50, C90 are all a little different but the basic method is the same.

So I ordered a depairing kit from Moccasin Mike in the States. About NZ$27 and included the various gaskets, bolts and plates required. You could easily make them yourself, but for the price (which includes postage and took less than a week to arrive), it's the easier and much quicker solution.

The front air delivery tube is very fiddly. I had to loosen the radiator and horn to get to it, and spilt about 100ml of coolant on the driveway, but was all done and dusted within a hour.

And I have a lovely, clean bike with naked jugs!

Incidentally, the faux-chrome tank badges came off in 10 minutes with a piece of dental floss, and 1/2 an hour cleaning the glue residue. I kept them in case I ever sold the bike.

So it's now dePAIRed, debadged and has V&H pipes and a Cobra FI manager.

[Angusdog]

A couple more pics showing the pipes and the additional baffle in the pipes.

[Eurodave]

Lookin good there, Oh how I detest jap plastic chrome baubles & geegaws, were the pipes a bit tooooo [harley] loud or are you a just a considerate neighbour? [yeah right]

[Colapop]

Looks good. Have you thought about straight bars? Might make it uncomfortable? Thought it would look a little better...?

[Angusdog]

The pipes were what I considered to be crazy loud. I couldn't wind it out without thinking of how many people I was pissing off. The guys at the shop thought they were fine, but it wasn't "good citizenship" to keep them like that. They're still loud, much louder than stock with a nice raspy roar when I open it up, but not offensively so.

I have considered flatter bars, for that drag look, but not sure about which ones would work best. They're cheap enough I guess. The M50's bars are the same diameter as Harleys, I think.

And I too really hate the plastic chrome. The tank 'console' is plastic but not much I can do about that. The air cleaner is too, but might look at a Kuryakyn Hi Five or similar air cleaner. The stocker is too large, but I suspect the stock air cleaner / PAIR valve and exhausts are the best performers. The stock items have the right volume (capacity) for the engine to perform at it's best, although the air intake is about 50mm in diameter - possible room for improvement?

[jafar]

Looks good. Have you thought about straight bars? Might make it uncomfortable? Thought it would look a little better...?

I've looked into straight bars for the mighty X , the ones they sent me were 605mm drag bars, would be great in a straight line , corners would be an issue though

[Toaster]

Looking good mate, looking good... nice and aggressive.

[07fatboy]

well done chap!!!...stay safe

[hang0ver]

Lookin' greaaat, love the style of the M50...

_-H-_

[heyjoe]

hey there Angusdog,

The bike looks good man. The de-badging looks good. Can I ask what you used to clean off the glue?

[Angusdog]

I tried automotive thinners, but had better results with "Goof Off", sort of a specialised glue remover that seems readily available. You have to soak the gum a bit, and let the solvent do its stuff. Takes a while to work, but easy it you're patient.

To get the badges off, I used dental floss - just get it behind a corner and use it like a saw to slice the foam / glue behind the badge. Doesn't damage the badge so you can stick it back on if you want.

[heyjoe]

Thanks for the info. Much appreciated.

[markl]

A couple more pics showing the pipes and the additional baffle in the pipes.

I like what you've done to the bike! I've just purchased an M50 and would like to put some throatier pipes on but don't want them to be too extreme. I'm also looking at straight bars but haven't found any i particulary like at the mo.

Can you explain how the extra baffle works with the V&H Cruzers. Where did you order the baffle and how easy is it to add?

[Angusdog]

Wgtn M/Cs took out the V&H baffles which have a huge straight-through diameter (60mm or so) and put a single tube in, mounted centrally with one 'flute' in it, and put the baffle back into the exhaust pipes. The Cruzers have easily removed baffles, only one screw retains each baffle. Cost about $160 from memory, but made them much more sociable while retaining a fantastic bark when I open the throttle. It's a shame you're in Auckland as you could have checked them out. It's feasible to do yourself if you have access to a MIG welder.

Some people (like the previous owner of my bike) drill holes in the stock exhaust, between the outlet and the outer chrome skin of the exhaust, so I don't really know how quiet the stock bike is. Even with those holes (6 x 8mm holes), it's still sort of 'underwater' compared to the Cruzers, with no bark. Some guys on the M50 forum drill out the entire stock baffle, which makes a big difference apparently - haven't heard a bike modded like that. Also you can then whack out another plate further up the pipe to make them completely open, but it's a real hillbilly mod, in my opinion. The stock pipes are way too big anyway. The Cruzers barely go past the rear axle, the stockers go way past the rear tyre. One issue is the O2 sensor, which I haven't resolved yet. I want to put it back on so have the corresponding nut which, if I trust my own welding skills, I will weld on just beneath the exhaust port of the rear pipe and touch up with heat resistant grey paint. Should be more or less invisible on the bike.

When looking for handlebars, look for Harley ones. The M50 and hogs have 1 inch bars, not 7/8 like most japanese bikes so there's a reasonable range. I like the look of these ones on trade me but still thinking about them and how it would change the riding position. The M50 is my first cruiser, so the laid-back position is still growing on me. A lot of guys fit forward controls, but with the drag bars, I'd want to move the controls back which would be difficult.