Swapping out stock exhaust?

This has probably been asked a dozen times, but I'm fairly new to Kawa's. My 1982 KZ750 has the stock 'long trumbone' mufflers on either side, and I would like to swap out to something smaller that won't adversly effect performance or cost a small fortune. Can I cut down the existing mufflers? Swap to others? What have folks here done? Images? Thanks!

Basically, anything you do to the existing mufflers will effect performance in one way or another.

Cutting them shorter/off will deffinately make them loud, and make a noticable drop in midrange power. Doing so may also require (likely) re-jetting your carburetors.

Swapping to another muffler could work fine, but again, there will be differences in the power delivery.

The stock mufflers are well tuned for the bike.
Without spending the dough for a decent exhaust like a 4-1 V&H, or Kerker, you will likely drop the performance.

Or just pull out the baffles, re-jet, and it will be super loud and have a tall narrow power-band. Better suited for track or dragging. Whatever...:laugh:

Cheers and good luck.

I replaced the stock mufflers on my KZ1100 with a set of 19" turnouts from JC Whitney. I think they were $47 each. They don't have much in the way of baffles so I inserted some 6" baffles wrapped with fiberglass muffler packing. I went up one size in the main jets (120 to 125) and also the pilot jets. I can't tell a difference in the power - it pulls strong all the way through the power band. They sound pretty good, not too loud.

KYKZ1100, yea, I like those. I'm not looking for loudness, just something a little smaller looking. And while I like a broad power range, I'm much more of a cruzer then a racer. can you mention a bit more about how you did the baffling?

If not already done, might consider selling the stock exhaust system to finance purchase of a new aftermarket system.

Stock exhaust systems in good condition often do well on ebay.

Good Luck!

I looked up the baffles I used and I guess they were 4", not 6." I got them at JCW also along with some "fiberglass muffler repack material." I just wrapped the baffles with a layer or two of the repack material and then wrapped it with wire to keep the fiberglass in place, then slid it into the muffler. The muffler has three scoops sticking out about an inch into the internal diameter. The first scoop holds the baffle in place.

KYKZ1100 wrote:

I replaced the stock mufflers on my KZ1100 with a set of 19" turnouts from JC Whitney. I think they were $47 each. They don't have much in the way of baffles so I inserted some 6" baffles wrapped with fiberglass muffler packing. I went up one size in the main jets (120 to 125) and also the pilot jets. I can't tell a difference in the power - it pulls strong all the way through the power band. They sound pretty good, not too loud.

nice looking ride....i had one years ago, wish i still had it...then again i wish i had most of the past rides:laugh: