Shorty Mufflers on my KZ650

650ed wrote: No, you cannot "unbolt" the mufflers because if they are the stock units they are not bolted on to the headers; they are welded on. You can use a hacksaw and cut them off, but don't plan on ever putting them back on unless you can weld pretty well. Take a closer look at them and you will see what I mean. Ed

omg ive come full circle then. Guess I wont be changing them. Im going to wrap the headers this weekend in black wrap and thats about it. Oh and will spend a good amount of time polishing the engine

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JWKZ750 wrote: I just want more noise.

I would replace the whole stock exhaust (and keep it in a box) with an aftermarket 4-1 pipe. These generally have removable baffles and you can play with the packing to get the sound you like. Cheaper brands are Mac and Delkevic. If you have the cash a kerker is always nice. I have a Mac on my Z1R and it works fine and has held up for years.

The seller told me they are lesters. Are they good wheels? Desirable?

Lester mags were a very popular upgrade in the late 70s. My Dad put a set on his '74 Z1 at that time. People still value them as period correct go-fast parts. I was a toddler at the time, so I can't really say, but my impression is that the manufacturers were inspired to switch from spoke wheels to cast wheels because so many people were buying aftermarket Lester and Morris mags.

Lesters are a bit heavy, definitely by modern standards, but they look darn cool.

Why not just leave the exhaust alone? Best option. More noise does no good. My 77 and 78 KZ650s have Kerker headers, and yes they are more noise, Do no good other than that. I hear 1 gazillion cars and motorcycles every day that are loud, and must say all 1 gazillion should be shot and put to rest.

Had crossover "tuned exhaust" 4/2's with Jardene slip on mufflers. One got crushed in the wreck and was sent side drafts by mistake. I hated them. Bought a V/H 4/1 expecting more ponies. Hardly made any difference. I miss the crossovers.
Steve

Lester wheels would explain why the KZ retains its KZ disc brakes.

For shorter mufflers, you could probably install a 750 Ltd or 650-CSR muffler system. you'd have to fab muffler brackets, probably something simple would suffice.

Instead of ruining the stock muffler system, you could use those shorty mufflers from Dimecitycycles with the exhaust manifold from a KZ750 shaft or ZN700 shaft which have the mufflers clamped on.

For a more secure installation the shaft manifold can be bolted to the engine by installing the shaft oil pan. They use the same oil pan gasket, so I'm pretty sure this would work on a KZ650. maybe not worth the trouble, but just throwing it out there.
ZN700 manifold.


Another option. ZR750 Zephyr exhaust manifold. 304 stainless steel

Just do what makes you happy I suppose........ The V&H header was the first thing I bought and never got a bigger thrill on anything else I've ever bought (except a 57 Chevy at age 16)........

12 and a half lbs off (should be a little over 20? lbs off a 1000) and my buddy with his Yamaha 1100 lost over 30 with his Kerker and according to the Cycle article "power pipes" (in the articles section) they pick up 5 (V&H) to 9 hp (Kerker) on a stock 1000. Love the sound and look (comp baffle) not too loud just right for me.