2012 Connie, 2006/07 ZX14 Headers, Two Brothers Dual Slipons - HELP

[Glennn]

Well folks, things aren't going to plan, and they had been going oh so well too...

Basically I have installed the above components, the headers were bolted up nice and snug using new crush gaskets, but the slip-ons are giving me a world of grief.

The left side exhaust I have pretty much got on ok, it's damn close to the bag (too close IMO), but at least I can get the bag on.

The right side on the other hand, no matter how much I jam and twist and pull down on the mid-pipe (with the tail of the header supported by a trolley jack), the tip of the exhaust is angled up and there is no way I can get the right hand bag on with the rear mounting latch sitting clear by a good inch or two.

What the hell have I done wrong, or missed, because everything I have read about ZX14 headers and associated slip-ons say they are a straight bolt up.

Really hoping someone who has done the same mod themselves can give me some guidance here.

Edit: updated thread, pipes now bent.

[Glennn]

Photos of the right, this is with the slip-on not fully bolted to the mid pipe

Photo one shows the bag sitting on top of the slip-on

Photo two shows the unbolted midpipe, if I tighten this up it pulls the tip of the slip-on up even further.

[jamiemac]

Looks like the hanger for the can is too short. Fab up a longer hanger, and You should be good. Got a picture of the hanger?

[Glennn]

Looks like the hanger for the can is too short. Fab up a longer hanger, and You should be good. Got a picture of the hanger?

Hi Jamie,

The lower the exhaust is from the hanger, the more that gap will open up in pic two and the muffler won't pull into midpipe squarely 

[Glennn]

Damn I think you are on to something, Jamie.

Just went and had another look at the left side and even if it did all line up perfectly the exhaust is uncomfortably close to the pannier, would have to use some come of heat reflective material under there.

Then I had a look at youtube vids of people's slip-ons just for the stock pipe, and they all have a offset/lower hanger to give heaps of clearance from the bags.

But even if I did that (make an offset hanger) then where will be no way that the exhausts would line up properly with the headers without some seriously fenangling around with trying to bend the mid pipes - ability I don't have.

 

[jamiemac]

Almost everyone that uses ZX exhaust, has to bend the midpipe. It is evidently, not difficult to do. Look around on the forum, and I'm sure there is a post on here about people doing it, with the pipe already installed on the bike.

[gPink]

I tightened the headers, then the muffler hangers (1 1/2" longer), then the muffler to midpipe, finally the midpipe to header connection. This was with zx headers and muzzy duals on an '08. I found that the donut gasket at the midpipe to header was thick enough to flex to allow clearance when tightened in this order.

[Glennn]

Almost everyone that uses ZX exhaust, has to bend the midpipe. It is evidently, not difficult to do. Look around on the forum, and I'm sure there is a post on here about people doing it, with the pipe already installed on the bike.

Yeah this is killing me, I have looked and looked for months and it all seemed a breeze.  Will try some more forum searches to see what I can come up with.

I tightened the headers, then the muffler hangers (1 1/2" longer), then the muffler to midpipe, finally the midpipe to header connection. This was with zx headers and muzzy duals on an '08. I found that the donut gasket at the midpipe to header was thick enough to flex to allow clearance when tightened in this order.

Unfortunately the Two Bros exhausts are straight pipe on pipe, no gasket between midpipe and header.  Looks like if I want to keep them a custom hanger extension is a must, so I will try your method tomorrow after a trip to the hardware store but I don't think I will experience any joy unless I can bend that midpipe without snapping the whole header off the block.

[gPink]

Looks like a exhaust shop with a bender is in your future. Good luck.

[MGvaleri]

For me, you have to turn the fitting of the final anti-clockwise, and so will lower the final fitting ..


http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=12076.0;attach=13735;image


MGvalerio.

[Glennn]

For me, you have to turn the fitting of the final anti-clockwise, and so will lower the final fitting ..

Hi MGvalerio,

Unfortunately twisting the exhaust out in any fashion changes it's orientation away from the hanger.  No, I have come to the conclusion that my only option is to bend the mid pipe down.

 

[Cheesecake]

Sounds to me like the headers were from a wrecked bike and are bent. I put 06 ZX14 headers on mine, already had the Two Brothers slip on installed before.  I didn't have this issue.

[Glennn]

Sounds to me like the headers were from a wrecked bike and are bent. I put 06 ZX14 headers on mine, already had the Two Brothers slip on installed before.  I didn't have this issue.

Yeah I have been wondering similar myself.  Bought them off eBay 11 months ago, so who fricken knows.

Did you use Two Bros mufflers on your ZX14 headers, or something else?

[Cheesecake]

I use one, just on the right side. I capped off the other side. Not really into modifying the center stand or fabricating brackets. It sounds awesome and not too loud.

[Glennn]

Ahh cool.

Well for now after having much rage in my heart, my darling and ever practical wife convinced me to just install them as is and sans panniers.  She theorised I don't ride with the panniers most of the time, and I have a top box if I need carrying space.  Told me just to enjoy them for a while and when I'm ready take the mid pipes to an exhaust shop and have them bent.

I actually have a sense I could probably force them lower through brute strength because the mufflers themselves only need to drop an inch.  But that will be an adventure for another day.

[jamiemac]

When You get ready to bend the mid pipes down, get a 3ft piece of pipe that snugly fits over the midpipe in place of the mufflers, then use that pipe as a lever. Place a jack under the pipe at the joint where it meets the collector, and use a piece of wood with a half moon cut out of it as support. Then slowly bend the pipe down, and test. Repeat as necessary until You get it where You want it.
 I worked in the exhaust business for many years, and can tell you that an industrial exhaust bender will not bend the tubing in our Connie's exhaust, without damaging it. Much too thin of tubing.

[Glennn]

Thanks so much for the advice, Jamie. 

[pistole]

.

[Glennn]

Thanks for that image, was going to put a call out for some dimensions.  Do you have a rough distance between hole centres?
 

[43616]

I'm debating about what I'm going to do with my exhaust.  Just wondering which two bros pipes were ordered.  I'm assuming they were the zx14 duals, but which year bike?