Hitchcocks Forum

Hi all.

Whatever happened to Mr Hitchcock's stainless exhaust system? I've been searching for a replacement to my rusty system without any luck. Armours don't do one for the standard Indian iron barrel and I've been quoted over £600 for a bespoke stainless system, which seems very pricey as the bike is probably only worth twice that!

Andy

Why not get a chrome one then? Used regularly you should get at least ten years out of one if not twenty.

Have you tried www.osmc.co.uk? I haven't used them, but there are many favourable comments on the Guzzi owners website.

Have you tried www.osmc.co.uk? I haven't used them, but there are many favourable comments on the Guzzi owners website.

Was there not a stainless downpipe available at one time? That would help.

Cheers gents. I'll have a perusal of www.osmc.co.uk. Is there a secret to keeping chrome in good condition or is it simply a case of cleaning thoroughly after every ride? I have to keep my bullet outside under a bike cover rather than tucked up in a garage so would this affect the longevity of the chrome?

Andy

It's largely dependent on the quality of the chroming. I've just had mine re done and after a big moan to the Platers they put a decent amount of chrome on which means that it isn't so prone to rust. They don't use copper on exhaust pipes as it tends to craze the chrome when it gets hot so the nickel is very important. A good quality muffler should not spot with rust straight away though chrome is supposed to be a protective coating not just a decorative one.

Simon,
Don't forget these poor buggers have to put up with salt on the roads as well, can't get much worse than that