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homemade headers/exhaust
- fische
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I'm looking for some stories so I can get a sense of how difficult it will be and what kind of performance I can expect. It seems to me it can't be that expensive to build a set of pipes yourself and if those idiots(not to say i don't like them) on OCC can do it I figure i can to.
I'm also looking for more theory behind the whole design of headers and exhaust systems, so if anyone as any knowledge they wish imparting or recommended reads I'm all ears. I'm currently reading 'Four-Stroke Performance Tuning' and I love it, I definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to know more about the theory of how an engine works and how all the parts and pieces fit in the big picture.
happy tuning and riding
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- Mark Wing
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Mark
Jesus loves you Everyone else thinks your an ***
77 KZ650 C1 with ZX7 forks, GPZ mono rear, wider 18 police wheels and Yoshimura motor.
Yorba Linda Cal.
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- BSKZ650
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tube size is also a issue, along with heat transfer, and you do need to keep the tubes the same length.
one good way to think about air flow , is to picture water in your mind, air and water flow the same way they dont like to bend, so you want to keep the bends equal and smooth
77 kz650, owned for over 25 years
77 ltd1000, current rider
76 kz900, just waiting
73 z1,, gonna restore this one
piglet, leggero harley davidson
SR, Ride captian, S.E.Texas Patriot Guard Riders.. AKA KawaBob
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- pyxen
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84 KZ550-F2 LTD
93 ZR550-B4
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- kzwolfsr
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1979 KZ SR650, stock candy persimmon red and crossover pipes
1981 KZ 1000LTD with non stock and more comfortable handle bars and 4 into one V&H
Original man of the Caribbean
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- pyxen
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84 KZ550-F2 LTD
93 ZR550-B4
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- pstrbrc
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- '81 GPz 1100 project
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#1. The material you use is very important. No, aluminum won't work. Cast aluminum might, but that's only because there would be enough mass to act as a heatsink and dissipate enough heat so that you don't burn a hole in it. But even the steel tubing you use matters. Header manufacturers have a lot of experience in choosing the material, and every so often THEY get it wrong.
#2. Tube bending for exhaust headers either takes a very expensive machine, or true artistry. bending it badly is very easy, and will be so detrimental as to waste everything else you can do.
#3. welding is not just required, you really need to be a GOOD welder to not muck it up. Sorry.
All in all, I don't recommend trying this. Spend your energy on something you can do. Like building your own fuel injection system. Really.
\'81 GPz 1100 project
Elkhart, Kansas USA
\"Man does not control his own fate. The women in his life do that for him.\" Groucho Marx
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- kzwolfsr
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1979 KZ SR650, stock candy persimmon red and crossover pipes
1981 KZ 1000LTD with non stock and more comfortable handle bars and 4 into one V&H
Original man of the Caribbean
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- pstrbrc
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- '81 GPz 1100 project
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Thanks for that useful piece of info pstrbrc, that was more than 2 cents worth. I think I will try your electrolysis thingamajig
:blink: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:
OOOOOH!!!! Dang! That one ZZZZZZinged!!!!!
\'81 GPz 1100 project
Elkhart, Kansas USA
\"Man does not control his own fate. The women in his life do that for him.\" Groucho Marx
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- AR15Ron
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I imagine you could make the header without welding, it's where the 4 tubes come together that I can't see any way around welding. If you could actually find all the materials, bend all the tubes yourself it probably wouldnt cost much to have someone weld it all together for you. Sounds like a lot of work to me .
Ron
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- indykaw77
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On the up side....I DID save myself 300+ dollars for replacing.
If you were to do one up from scratch.......well, all I can do is wish you luck.
Kawasaki Motorcycles...because cars lean th wrong way!
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- wireman
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