TOPIC:

Bike looks great! In reading your thread it sounds like the exhaust system that failed wasn't actually the stock system since there appears to be no way for the baffle to fall out (unless maybe there was severe rust or maybe a PO modified it?). Can you post a picture of the problem area on the old exhaust? Just curious.

Here's how the original mufflers are constructed. Ed

Your observation is right Ed. The pipe had the stock header, crossover cut out and welded. The cans on there are not reverse cone and were also welded on. The baffle that broke out was a single tube center position baffle. I will take some pics. My thought is to die grind out the baffles and find an aftermarket baffle insert that fits, 2 1/2" canisters. I would like to have the 2-1 stock look, but we'll see. the Delkevic performs well and I like the look so this will not be an imminent project, but perhaps re-chromed or blasted and black might be a good preservation idea. R

The folks at the link below sell mufflers that look very much like stock KZ650 ones (see 3rd row up from bottom; right side). However, I don't know how much they charge or what the shipping difficulties might be since I believe they are in Buenos Aires, Argentina. They may not even ship to the US, but it seems like that would cut out most of their market. Ed

www.escapesfantin.com.ar/kawa.html

rrsmsw9999 wrote: There are two dimensional problems with the guard. The top of the bar bolt to down tubes with u clamps. No chnage there of course.

1. The Delkevic header is about 1.5" forward over stock.

2. The Delkevic header is also in a different bend than stock and routing the clutch cable in the holder is very tight on bolt sides of header pipe #2.

....

Maybe use a couple of extra frame clips for the clutch cable. ???
Also, if your bike doesn't have a clutch cable guide, some models have one at the upper triple. I've seen a couple of different types for the KZs. I installed a guide on the right side for the brake line n stuff.

I had a bit of difficulty installing it, but I LOVE the tone of the thing! VERRY snarly! Hopefully, this crappy video will upload...just a quick rip outta town...I taped a paint stir stick to the back of my phone so it would poke up out of my breast pocket, LOL! edit: well it would not upload...perhaps a facebook link will work!! Hmmm okay...Well, That didn't workI will try to upload vid to photobucket...

I mocked up several positions. the best solution is going to be welding extra length "1.5" to the bottom mount arms. Where they attach the frame is black, so I do not think a bit of burnt chrome, painted black will be a big eyesore. Used a variety of hardware options and needing space for bolts and lay the offset flat doesn't cut it IMHO. R

dom2570, yes, do yourself a favor & get the Delkevic pipe ....you cant beat stainless steel for the price, the quality of the Vance & Hynes is really not as good as they used to be, I bought a new V&H header in 2012, & have only gotten caught in the rain 3 or 4 times since then, & I'm already getting some surface rust between the pipes where the 4 header pipes meet up, back in 2012 you couldn't get a S.S. pipe for less than 600.00, or I would've gotten one
Pete

Pete, same damn thing here! A few late-season (post salted roads) rides, & BAM! my one year old V&H looked like ass...pretty much surface crap, (in the exact same area as yours) and could have kept running it I guess, but it ticked me off enough to buy the Delk...frigging GREAT price for completely non-ferrous S/S....I lined mine with VHT...no bluing yet, but turning Gold...still, I love it! Soo damn snarly, AND rustproof! Overall, I highly recommend them!

I have a set of V&H pipes for my KZ1000.... they were rusting badly right at the junction of the baffle to the collector and especially in the inside area where they are gathered and starting to go under the engine... very rusty.
I soaked them in a mix of water and Oxalic acid....
That took almost all the rust off but the cheap shit chrome, in all of the areas we are all complaining about, all turned a milky white. Like
unpolished moly-chrome.
UGLY
That took forever to polish back and to be honest, the chrome is so thin, polishing by hand removed most of it... JUNK!

Well, that sums it out VH is out of the question, I am not a fan of the MAC and I don't have a money tree so kerker is out of the question.

Will this exhaust allow you to keep the center stand?

YUP!

Yes side stand stays and it's quite a slick install. The bumper plate (included) moves to the right side of the frame, completely cleaning up the left side passenger peg and old SS stopper. The hardware was very good quality and easy to install, You do not reuse the stock exhaust collars and keepers. There are no "instructions" so go slow and take your time on install. The exhaust gaskets that came with the pipes were a larger thickness and slightly over diameter. I used Kawasaki stock Kaw ones that I bought from Z1 enterprises. Bought extras so I would have them on the shelf if needed. Also used a thin bit of exhaust past on each side of the 4-1 collector pieces. Spring holder attachment was easy but awkward from the left side, the provide a basic spring tool for install, it works. Also before starting the first time wipe down pipes and canister with a non-abrasive cloth and rubbing alcohol to remove grease and finger prints. If not you will need abrasive polish to get the hand prints off the pipes. Good luck, I like the Delkevic pipe set, sounds good, looks good. R