Mac vs Vance and Hines

Jeff.Saunders wrote: The thing I don't like on most of the MAC pipes are their cheap and flimsy exhaust flange 'plates' permanently afixed to the header pipes. They bend too easily causing exhaust leaks and broken studs.

:ohmy:
Jeff...have you no shame?

I will also be in the market for a header for my 77' KZ1000A. How the access to the oil drain plug and oil filter with both Vance & Hines and Kerker? Years ago when I had a new 73' Z1, I had purchased a Hooker Header for it and remember having to remove the exhaust to gain access to the oil drains.

Depends on which kerker you get, some have to be removed will others dont.
As far as vance and hines theyre junk, ill never buy another one.
Ive had more fitment and dragging issues with vance and hines than I ever have with kerker.
Everybody seems to forget that mac was the manufacturer for yoshimura pipes back in the day, an old yosh is still my favorite pipe besides a turbo with a banana pipe.

Plummen, My mane concern is Fit and Finish and the mostly Clearance for oil changes. DO NOT want to have to remove exhaust to accommodate that! I didn't even know that Kerker even made 2 different types? Had a couple of Mac headers on my Honda CB550's, inexpensively made and didn't really care for the exhaust note.

On my 80 LTD 1000, I can change oil & filter without removing My Vance & Hines 4 into 1 Header
Pete

Pete, Does your V & H exhaust curve around the oil filter plate to allow easy access? I wonder if an 80' LTD is different in exhaust application than a 77' KZ?

Vance & Hines curves around to the right of the oil filter, you just have to remove at an anglewhen it drops down close to the pipe & same with installation.
I have a Kerker on my 76 LTD 900, & it makes a sharp turn around the left of the filter, couldn't get a pic of the Kerker, too

dark in the back of garage
but here is a pic of the Vance & Hines on the 1000
Pete

V & H give you more, good power after having the engine tuned to the pipe
A good retro look
Easy oiling etc
Performance in in the design

Much appreciated on the picture Pete ! Kerker would of been interesting to see too. But can clearly see filter plate shouldn't be a problem to remove and certainly not drain plug. Jimmybon has a good theory about the V & H collector design. Don't know if it helps or not, but looks good? So seems with the Vance & Hines, there's a lot of good compliments on the header.

Borrowed pictures from greg z,2 different sty;es of the old yosh pipe.
Anybody whos ever heard a yosh pipe without a baffle knows what mac was capable of doing back in the day.
Vance and hines made good stuff back in the day,now its just a name.
The new owners of ance and hines should stick with cake and ketchup! :woohoo:

kzdcw wrote: Much appreciated on the picture Pete ! Kerker would of been interesting to see too. But can clearly see filter plate shouldn't be a problem to remove and certainly not drain plug. Jimmybon has a good theory about the V & H collector design. Don't know if it helps or not, but looks good? So seems with the Vance & Hines, there's a lot of good compliments on the header.

I drain the pan with the bike on the center-stand, then down to the side-stand lean for the oil filter-cover/bolt, to keep oil off the header pipes.

You can easily change baffles with the V&H too...a real-nice option.

Definitely could see with that Yosh pipe on that 73' Z1 there would be a ground clearance issue. Not having seen a Vance & Hines pipe on a KZ in person, I couldn't say on the Fit and Finish. Just have to rely on Forum members who have the experience with them. And I greatly appreciate that from all the members who have responded to this post.