KZ 550 exhaust header and system for KB2TT

I have a Bimota KB2TT. If you don't know they bike, it was built in the '80s by Bimota of Rimini, Italy around the KZ500/550 engine. Many years ago the exhaust developed multiple stress cracks, probably the material was just a bit too thin. I tried to get a local pipe maker to build a new one, he procrastinated and my calls became fewer and farther between. Eventually I went to retrieve the system to go elsewhere, but was informed he had forgotten what it was and thrown it out.

So I am stuck without an exhaust system. Bimota has been in and out of business a few times since, I don't believe they can supply a new one. I have the equipment and skills to build one, but I think it would be a little easier to start with a header and modify it. At this moment I don't even know what sizes the primary tubes where or should be. The only header I can find is the Mac, I would prefer something in SS. Does anyone know of a 550 header still being made in SS? Does anyone know the pipe sizes used for the 550, primary, collector, midpipe, etc?

Go here, they say they have all the specs
www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&...PBtAU2AuYQtcTSMdy-WA
Pete

I'll try them, but most of the information they have seems to be on the current models.

Hoping to find a US sourced header, as importing one from Europe will be quite expensive.

So what are you doing about this guy?
Steve

What model/year, 550, do you think your motor is based on?

I'm hating him in my own way, but it was a long time ago and water under the bridge now. Couldn't believe it when he told me he'd thrown it out.

This is the only picture I have of the exhaust, not very helpful for constructing a new one .

The bike is an '84, not sure the year and model will make any difference. When I bought it used in Rome (a whole story in itself) it had a 500 motor (498 actually) as that was the Italian version to get under the 500cc tax break. When I put it back together here in the states, I got a 550 motor, not real sure what year at this point. I used the same exhaust system. I notice that the aftermarket suppliers seem to supply the same system from 500 to 600, any year.

The project has been on the back burner for many years, but it is in my way now and I'm trying to get it running again.

You might have better luck with your answer, if you go to a Ducati forum
Pete

eebbaayy or eebbaayy.uk
search terms: KZ550 Z550 ZR550 Zephyr 550 motad marving bimota exhaust mufflers headers head pipes silencers.
note: in case you find something for the ZR550, I'm assuming it has the same exhaust port spacing.

Z550 Motad --- chrome

Z550 Motad --- black

ZR550 Motad --- chrome

Z 550 ZR550A Marving --- chrome

ZR550 mufflers

You're looking for a exact replacement? The black one martin posted is pretty close. Maybe get a header and find a can that looks like the one you had.
There's always YELP to give him a little grief. Maybe a settlement. :whistle: The Vons gas station I Yelped on is closed down. :evil:
Steve

Here's a Bimota forum, that might be able to help you
www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&...MEpCP95UhBisDiRN_KQA
Pete

An exact replacement is far too much to hope for. Something that fits some standard Kawasaki 550 will need to be heavily modified, but might provide a good starting place. Chromed ones are not too good for modification, chrome has to be ground off for TIG welding. SS is preferred because it is easily welded and finished.

The suggestions are helpful and I am looking at all of them. I originally searched for "Kawasaki KZ550 exhaust header" and didn't get much, loosening the search gets more but still looking for the elusive SS version. One of the German ones has black chromed SS downtubes, never tried to work with black chromed SS though. Burns Stainless Steel in LA supplies SS collectors and bends etc, but mostly for cars so the sizes are I think too large. Is there anyone supplying parts like that for motorcycles? I'm guessing the downpipe size for a 550 is probably 1" or 1 1/4?. To build from scratch I would need tubes and mandrel bends in the right size. Also the collector is difficult to fabricate without some tooling.

I'm not sure the Ducati people would be of much help, the version of Bimota that built this bike predated the Ducati connection.