NEED 1978 kz1000a2 EXHAUST DUE TO SMOKEM

The current exhaust on my standard 'a2' model (not the LTD) 1978 kz1000 is a 'Kawasaki by Kerker' exhaust.

Has a huge hole in the bottom of one of the headers due to rust through.

It's a BIG hole, if a mouse family became aware of that one there'd be a big mouse family living inside and getting smoked on when it runs.

The muffler section is sound.

So -- I CAN'T FIND a replacement Kerker set of headers.
I will NOT be paying $200-$500 anytime soon for a new set as this bike is a cosmetically decrepit (yet highly respected!) machine.

The shop manuals say only the 1977 and 1978 bikes share the same exhaust.

I don't care about 'model correctness' I have an old bike and just want a used Kerker header or a used kz1000 or kz900 system that FITS the chassis and motor.

In other words -- I am *suspicious* that the exhausts for later models of the kz1000, say-- 1979 through 198? and maybe even the police bikes well into the 90s and 2000s for all I know -- I am *suspicious* they will fit as the frame mounts and motor didn't change much.

What other year stock or aftermarket systems will fit onto my 1978 kz1000? Going crazy with sheet metal patches, potential evictions of mouse families and whatnot.

weld a patch on it.

mach1charlie wrote:

weld a patch on it.

Cheapest welder I found wanted $60. Besides, I don't want the patch because:

- the Kerker muffler cosmetically looks almost brand new
- but the Kerker header pipes are near death. I don't get the dichotomy but there it is. I'd have $60 into it when I could twist my own arm and buy a new or good used Kerker (headers only) for twice that.....

I appreciate the suggestion, Thanks!

Other thing though is the remaining metal down there is as thin as the ex-mafia dude sleeping under the Empire State Building. Just rust-rust-rust. Really not enough remaining good metal to hold up for a quality arc or gas weld job.

There are lots of kz1000 pipes on ebay fairly cheap just wrong model year.

ANYONE EVER FIT A KZ1000 EXHAUST FROM 1979 OR THE 1980s kz1000's on a stock 1978 kz1000-A2 standard model?

Vance & Hines makes a chrome 4 into 1 street header with a removable baffle that will fit your bike. They sell for around 350.00 Try Schnitz Racing or Star Racing they both should have one.

73-80 900-1000 81-84 1000-1100j/gpz with minimal work

PLUMMEN wrote:

73-80 900-1000 81-84 1000-1100j/gpz with minimal work

Thanks Plummen, I was hoping to hear from an experienced kz afficionado!

I find lots of 1979-1984 or so pipes.
In your experience will any of the stock pipes require any welding, like for brackets or stuff?