Exhaust

After my first thread yesterday and the great responses, I have decided I will learn to do more of my own wrenching. So with "renewed vigor", my next question.

I bought my xj 550 with a 4 into one manifold configuration done in black. The carb was "apparently" cleaned by "pros" and re-jetted. So now I am gonna go back to Carb Church myself and hopefully clean clean clean.

I like the original look of the original chrome 4 into 2 and I would like to return to that. Is re-jetting necessary when I change the exhaust? Maybe I should do it anyway just in case.
I searched several parts stores online and couldn't find the exhaust system for my bike. Where can I get them and at what cost?
Thank you

 

I don't believe any body makes a stock style 4 into 2 exhaust. You will have to go for a used stock exhaust, finding one without rust damage may be a challenge. eBay, Craigslist, for sale forum on this site, or a local motorcycle junk yard would be good places to check.

If the " pro's" did reject for the 4 into 1 exhaust, and you do go back to stock then the Jets will need to be returned to stock. Another reason to crack open those carbs is to see what jets are in there and record for future reference.

 

Thanks BigT. I had hoped that something would be available. I keep looking. The used ones I have seen so far are quite expensive and show attempts to hide the rust. Recently, I seen a set of carbs go for $150 and the pipes go for $200. I was expecting the carbs to go for a lot more. Unfortunately it was too far away for me to have a close look.
I don't want to look at rejetting until I am sure I am gonna get the pipes. First thing I am trying to do is check the valve clearance. I don't have the tool to change the shims and am hoping I will find one. Maybe Chacal has one.

 

Chacal does sell the tool. I found using the zip tie method works perfectly. Just takes practice.
I used a piece of 14 gauge electrical wire and had no issues.
It's included in those links from the other thread.
Chacal also has replacement shims.
-EM

 

I agree, go with a heavy piece of *INSULATED* wire . The thing about the tool is that to remove it you need to turn the engine backwards, which is just another risk IMHO.

 

Sorry I forgot to mention insulated.
And I also find using the wire was faster than having to mount and unmount the tool.
-EM

 

Well, insulated wire is my specialty. Being a renovator, I have lots of it hanging around. Especially 14 gauge. I am gonna check out the clearance this weekend and then hopefully order what I need in shims, if I need. Thanks for the tips.

 

if you want to go back to the stock exhaust ,take your time. you will be able to search ebay and find all the components. you may have to buy one muffler at a time , the collector box and the front pipes seperatly but you will over time be able to get all good looking no hole, rust or dent parts. and it will cost 2 or 3 hundred dollars. i just installed a mac 4 to 1 exhaust 2 months ago and am currently picking up a part here and there to get back to oem. i went 4 to 1 (299$) becase all the full systems at the time were dented had holes or badly rusted. for around 200$
i picked up pipe 2 and 3 for 20$ each no rust or dents and had the flanges as well.
I had a kerker on it but the headers were rusted through at the collector to much to repair.
I am going to see if the kerker muffler will fit the mac header. it fits the bike better than the mac exhaust.
by the way the mac exhaust allows center stand to be on bike but you have to put the long L shaped bracket on the left side exhaust mount hole to keep the center stand from hitting the muffler and chain.
had to make a bracket for the muffler from rear foot peg to muffler mounting bracket on muffler because it was way back under the shock bolt. the mac mounting bracket was only long enough to mount to the lower shock bolt which would be a bad place to mount it because of the flex of the swing arm. i have seen brackets that go from the top shock bolt down to the muffler. big disapointment .

 

While not exactly like stock, there are 4-2 exhausts available (expensively).

http://en.marving.com/xj-550-(tutti...mium-plated-silenced-not-homologated-890.html

http://exactrep.com/acatalog/Yamaha2.html