Vance & Hines KZ1000-A Megaphone 4-1 exhaust

Hey everyone, you all are part of a pretty amazing site here.
I have been reading it for a couple weeks now and am in awe of all the great tips and advice there is on here. Amazing to find a resource like this especially for newbies like me, and the bikes/pics some of you have are incredible.
I have been drooling over KZ's since I was 10 yrs old or less (30 plus years ago)and FINALLY I have one to call my own. Been over 15 yrs since I rode or owned a bike but convinced the family to let me grab a shiny new (old) 79' KZ1000 st. It isn't mint and needs some TLC but is in good shape and will be a project to restore for years to come. I ordered a shop manual off E Bay and plan on spending lots of time on bringing this baby back to new like shape. Will cost me some $$ but when it's for something like this it doesn't hurt as bad. I have a big shit eating grin everytime I fire it up so won't get bored soon of it.
Oh yeah...my question.
I want to put on a 4 into 1 exhaust and I think I have 3 options/price ranges.
The $600 Kerker, the $350 ish Vance & Hines, and the $270 ish MAC.
Would love any feedback on these from anyone who has a recommondation?
Also I have heard the MAC does NOT require re-jetting on my carbs but don't know about the Vance Hines or Kerker...anyone know? Also, the research I did says the MAC doesn't block my stand or OIL filter, but once again have nothing on if the VH or Kerker do? Anyone???

OK that`s it, I`ll keep digging on site for an answer and maybe 5 people have already asked same thing.

Thank all, keep this site going forever!

steve

Welcome to the site and congrats on the new purchase. I don't have experience with those particular pipes, but I know the rule of thumb is.... switching to the 4-1 usually requires a jump in main jets by one size (2.5). Figure out what the stock jet sizes are and then whats currently in the carbs.

Just a heads up.......I've been reading about some quality issues with V&H exhaust. Do a search on here and you'll find some more info. Additionally, I highly recommend getting parts from Z1Enterprises. Great resource for parts and excellent customer service. Thats hard to come by.

mac0239 wrote: Hey everyone, you all are part of a pretty amazing site here.
I have been reading it for a couple weeks now and am in awe of all the great tips and advice there is on here. Amazing to find a resource like this especially for newbies like me, and the bikes/pics some of you have are incredible.
I have been drooling over KZ's since I was 10 yrs old or less (30 plus years ago)and FINALLY I have one to call my own. Been over 15 yrs since I rode or owned a bike but convinced the family to let me grab a shiny new (old) 79' KZ1000 st. It isn't mint and needs some TLC but is in good shape and will be a project to restore for years to come. I ordered a shop manual off E Bay and plan on spending lots of time on bringing this baby back to new like shape. Will cost me some $$ but when it's for something like this it doesn't hurt as bad. I have a big shit eating grin everytime I fire it up so won't get bored soon of it.
Oh yeah...my question.
I want to put on a 4 into 1 exhaust and I think I have 3 options/price ranges.
The $600 Kerker, the $350 ish Vance & Hines, and the $270 ish MAC.
Would love any feedback on these from anyone who has a recommondation?
Also I have heard the MAC does NOT require re-jetting on my carbs but don't know about the Vance Hines or Kerker...anyone know? Also, the research I did says the MAC doesn't block my stand or OIL filter, but once again have nothing on if the VH or Kerker do? Anyone???

OK that`s it, I`ll keep digging on site for an answer and maybe 5 people have already asked same thing.

Thank all, keep this site going forever!

steve

Hello, mac0239, and WELCOME to KZr!

Getting the FSM was a good start on this fine motorcycle.

If riding skills are a little rusty, hope a Rider Safety course will be considered.

While there are favorites, likely not go far wrong with any of the exhaust systems.

Each brand has a design whereby oil and filter may be changed without removing the system.

They all sound good and are available with different baffles.

Get the system with the most appeal.

Later re-jetting that may be required is relatively easy and inexpensive.

Good Fortune!

And btw, a good used existing stock exhaust system may be worth more that realized, so would take care of it and not give it away.

Good Fortune!

X2 a good /decent /fair condition stock set of pipes is a great thing to have..

post some pics of the bike when you get time...

the were quite a few model changes from 73-80 and the mounting brackets moved around on some runs of pipes and not on others..you may be looking at a pipe that was for a 73?---76---78---ect and really all would fit the engine and route back towards the passenger peg...but the pegs were moved around a bit from 73-80 and you might have to make a little bracket to "hang" the pipe..patton has some good pics of how to route a hanger...

that said...you are never limited by only new...while Z1-enterprises.com will for sure get you the best deal and back and issues 100% even with the pipe co themselves...you also can search the for sale ads here on kzr or post a wanted ad...there are many great condition headers around online and here that may suit your tastes and also widen the brand selection some...

welcome

quote="Patton" post=442906]And btw, a good used existing stock exhaust system may be worth more that realized, so would take care of it and not give it away.

Good Fortune! [/quote]

Welcome... went through the same thing a couple years ago. Have a 1976 KZ900 A4 and for me it was back to what I remembered so I had no option but the Kerker 4 into 1. Put a competition baffle in her and she sounds just like what I remembered lusting after in the 70's.

Side note on V&H. You will notice that Z1 no longer carry's the V&H product and it was not due to lack of availability, but they do sell Kerker.

Enjoy the restoration journey and let's see some pics

I gotta tell ya, I love your avatar, Mac0239. You didn't just beat Anorexia, you murderized it. Too funny! By the way, good luck on the bike.

really you can't go wrong with any of the above choices... i have a mac 4-1 on my 76kz,did use a v/h competition baffle in it.. having it black chromed now.. my 76ltd has a black kerker on it.. and like it really well... but want to go chrome 4-1 on the ltd... if you decide you like the kerker option but don't want to go 600.00. mine is in the 4-sale section with a pic.. feel free to make an offer if you like..

vernons wrote: really you can't go wrong with any of the above choices... i have a mac 4-1 on my 76kz,did use a v/h competition baffle in it.. having it black chromed now.. my 76ltd has a black kerker on it.. and like it really well... but want to go chrome 4-1 on the ltd... if you decide you like the kerker option but don't want to go 600.00. mine is in the 4-sale section with a pic.. feel free to make an offer if you like..

How does the V&H baffle fit into your MAC and how does it sound? I have a MAC canister exhaust.. The baffle is removable, and i would love to fit a comp baffle in it, but was unaware this was possible (MAC doesn't make any aftermarket baffles that I know of). Many people say MAC sucks I know, but I just love the way that canister exhaust looks, but would love to get a better sound out of it. Thanks for any help guys

:EDIT: Wow, do I ever feel stupid.. Just checked the MAC website and guess what I found... Does anyone have any experience with their replacement baffles? Yay..nay?

yes!! i bought there competition baffle and didn't much care for it!!! but i bought the vance and hines competition baffle.. had to shorten it a bit.. and took the wrapping off. sounds really great in my opinion!! deep tone and not tinny... mine has the megaphone and not the cannister style... it was a snug fit!!! i love the mac on my kz!! having it black chrome ceramic coated as we speak... supposedly mac use to private label the yoshimura pipes?? so they can't be too bad.... if you have any more questions just pm me... actually the v/h baffle is cheaper also...

FYI - I took a MAC baffle off an old CB550 header and used it with my Kerker megaphone on my KZ1000. The fit was almost perfect. All I had to do is drill a new hole in the Kerker to line up the bolt in the baffle that holds it in place.

The MAC baffle is reasonably quiet and has no fiberglass to blow out.

Thanks !!!, appreciate everyone`s feedback.
It`s like having a bunch of brothers that have the answers to everything one could ask.
Will post some pics as soon as I snap some...(soon).
I will for sure spend many years to come restoring my new baby to it`s original glory as I find bits and pieces along the way.
In the meantime I know the sound of these beauts with a 4 into 1 is like nothing else on earth and it needs the piece of the puzzle to really satisfy me for sure.
Will keep my eyes peeled for deals and grab one soon.
I want something that has that `Z- sound`, but it doesn`t need to be so loud it gives everyone a headache. Will let ya`s know what I end up with.
Doesn`t need to be the absolute best...just something that sounds great and will last a while.
Ha Ha, my picture for ID is not real BTW, just a pic I stumbled across that made me shit laughing.
thanks again guys,

macd