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KZ 550 exhaust header and system for KB2TT
- KB2TT
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11 Dec 2015 06:51 #702700
by KB2TT
KZ 550 exhaust header and system for KB2TT was created by 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?
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?
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- pete greek1
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11 Dec 2015 06:58 #702702
by pete greek1
1980 LTD 1000..,1976 LTD 900, have the 1000&900 now. the rest are previous= 1978 KZ 650 B.., 1980 Yamaha XT 500..,1978 Yamaha DT 400.., 1977 Yamaha yz 80..,Honda trail ct 70.., Honda QA 50...5-1/2 hp brigs & straton CAT chopper mini bike...3-1/2 hp mini bike (WHEN GAS WAS ABOUT 45 CENTS A GALLON)!!!!
Replied by pete greek1 on topic KZ 550 exhaust header and system for KB2TT
Go here, they say they have all the specs
www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&...PBtAU2AuYQtcTSMdy-WA
Pete
www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&...PBtAU2AuYQtcTSMdy-WA
Pete
1980 LTD 1000..,1976 LTD 900, have the 1000&900 now. the rest are previous= 1978 KZ 650 B.., 1980 Yamaha XT 500..,1978 Yamaha DT 400.., 1977 Yamaha yz 80..,Honda trail ct 70.., Honda QA 50...5-1/2 hp brigs & straton CAT chopper mini bike...3-1/2 hp mini bike (WHEN GAS WAS ABOUT 45 CENTS A GALLON)!!!!
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11 Dec 2015 07:21 #702704
by KB2TT
Replied by KB2TT on topic KZ 550 exhaust header and system for KB2TT
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.
Hoping to find a US sourced header, as importing one from Europe will be quite expensive.
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- SWest
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11 Dec 2015 07:23 #702705
by SWest
Replied by SWest on topic KZ 550 exhaust header and system for KB2TT
So what are you doing about this guy?
Steve
Steve
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11 Dec 2015 07:30 #702706
by pete greek1
1980 LTD 1000..,1976 LTD 900, have the 1000&900 now. the rest are previous= 1978 KZ 650 B.., 1980 Yamaha XT 500..,1978 Yamaha DT 400.., 1977 Yamaha yz 80..,Honda trail ct 70.., Honda QA 50...5-1/2 hp brigs & straton CAT chopper mini bike...3-1/2 hp mini bike (WHEN GAS WAS ABOUT 45 CENTS A GALLON)!!!!
Replied by pete greek1 on topic KZ 550 exhaust header and system for KB2TT
What model/year, 550, do you think your motor is based on?
1980 LTD 1000..,1976 LTD 900, have the 1000&900 now. the rest are previous= 1978 KZ 650 B.., 1980 Yamaha XT 500..,1978 Yamaha DT 400.., 1977 Yamaha yz 80..,Honda trail ct 70.., Honda QA 50...5-1/2 hp brigs & straton CAT chopper mini bike...3-1/2 hp mini bike (WHEN GAS WAS ABOUT 45 CENTS A GALLON)!!!!
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11 Dec 2015 07:35 #702707
by KB2TT
Replied by KB2TT on topic KZ 550 exhaust header and system for KB2TT
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11 Dec 2015 07:40 #702708
by KB2TT
Replied by KB2TT on topic KZ 550 exhaust header and system for KB2TT
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.
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.
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11 Dec 2015 07:41 #702709
by pete greek1
1980 LTD 1000..,1976 LTD 900, have the 1000&900 now. the rest are previous= 1978 KZ 650 B.., 1980 Yamaha XT 500..,1978 Yamaha DT 400.., 1977 Yamaha yz 80..,Honda trail ct 70.., Honda QA 50...5-1/2 hp brigs & straton CAT chopper mini bike...3-1/2 hp mini bike (WHEN GAS WAS ABOUT 45 CENTS A GALLON)!!!!
Replied by pete greek1 on topic KZ 550 exhaust header and system for KB2TT
You might have better luck with your answer, if you go to a Ducati forum
Pete
Pete
1980 LTD 1000..,1976 LTD 900, have the 1000&900 now. the rest are previous= 1978 KZ 650 B.., 1980 Yamaha XT 500..,1978 Yamaha DT 400.., 1977 Yamaha yz 80..,Honda trail ct 70.., Honda QA 50...5-1/2 hp brigs & straton CAT chopper mini bike...3-1/2 hp mini bike (WHEN GAS WAS ABOUT 45 CENTS A GALLON)!!!!
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11 Dec 2015 07:50 - 11 Dec 2015 08:02 #702710
by martin_csr
Replied by martin_csr on topic KZ 550 exhaust header and system for KB2TT
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
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
Last edit: 11 Dec 2015 08:02 by martin_csr.
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11 Dec 2015 08:07 #702711
by SWest
Replied by SWest on topic KZ 550 exhaust header and system for KB2TT
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
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
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11 Dec 2015 08:26 #702712
by pete greek1
1980 LTD 1000..,1976 LTD 900, have the 1000&900 now. the rest are previous= 1978 KZ 650 B.., 1980 Yamaha XT 500..,1978 Yamaha DT 400.., 1977 Yamaha yz 80..,Honda trail ct 70.., Honda QA 50...5-1/2 hp brigs & straton CAT chopper mini bike...3-1/2 hp mini bike (WHEN GAS WAS ABOUT 45 CENTS A GALLON)!!!!
Replied by pete greek1 on topic KZ 550 exhaust header and system for KB2TT
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
www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&...MEpCP95UhBisDiRN_KQA
Pete
1980 LTD 1000..,1976 LTD 900, have the 1000&900 now. the rest are previous= 1978 KZ 650 B.., 1980 Yamaha XT 500..,1978 Yamaha DT 400.., 1977 Yamaha yz 80..,Honda trail ct 70.., Honda QA 50...5-1/2 hp brigs & straton CAT chopper mini bike...3-1/2 hp mini bike (WHEN GAS WAS ABOUT 45 CENTS A GALLON)!!!!
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11 Dec 2015 08:30 #702713
by KB2TT
Replied by KB2TT on topic KZ 550 exhaust header and system for KB2TT
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.
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.
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