I purchased some hard saddlebags from a friend and wanted to mount them on my TX500A. However, there was not enough clearance over the pipes and below my flip-up seat.

So I had a local muffler shop put a 10 degree bend in the pipe, about 6 inches forward of the coupling between the exhaust pipe and muffler. (The coupling was frozen on after 26 years)

Next, I fabricated a bracket to attach the muffler back to it's original spot on the frame. I have the first one done (A) but have not made the second one yet. (B)

This whole process dropped the muffler about 8 inches or so. I think it looks a little more sporty. And at 47 years old (I'm looking for a litte more sporty, anywhere I can find it.)

Before --->

After --->

Now I have the hard saddle bags on.

The only down side is that it also dropped my center stand about 2 inches so I scrap going over large bumps or around corners too fast. (But you will notice is seems to have made my bike larger ;)