Cross or not?

[WulfgartheBlack]

OK, from the first XS400 in '77 through the '79's the header pipes and mufflers were seperate and had no connection between left and right. But from '80 to the end of XS400's in '83 [US] they all had one or two cross-connections left-to-right.
Now my question:
When the rust gets too bad and I have to replace my factory pipes ['81 XS400 Special], do I need to bother with the cross-connect? I'm guessing it's there to equalize back pressure and flow but how really needed or useful is it?
I like the twin pipe look so would rather not go 2-into-1 and see several of you have gone to aftermarket [unconnected] twins. Any notes or cautions?
Or do I need to just quit sweating and do it?

 

[xschris]

No problem going to a 2-2 pipe set up you just might have to rejet the carbs depending on how much flow your "new" exhaust will have.

 

[eric123]

Go for it...Personally I like the early pipes myself with the mufflers separate...

 

[HoughMade]

I like my stock '79 pipes separate.

 

[xschris]

Hough, do you know what brand mufflers that are on your bike? I have seen that stile on a few different bikes and was just wondering.

 

[robertmcw]

I am looking at these: http://www.siriusconinc.com/pro-detail.php?product_id=218

And you can look at fleabay.

Robert

 

[xschris]

They look good to me.

 

[HoughMade]

Hough, do you know what brand mufflers that are on your bike? I have seen that stile on a few different bikes and was just wondering.

I don't. They were on it when I got it. They have a nice healthy....loud....sound.

 

[xschris]

Loud is always good

 

[drewpy]

they look like dunstall copies to me. sound amazing I bet too!