Question about header..

[azelhof]

Hi guys, I have an xs400sj 1982 and I just remove my exhaust because I bough new one.
I was wondering if my header was fine, look at the pictures and can you tell my if everything is good.
Thanks

 

[NewHavenMike]

Take the headers off and examine the pipe. Is that tinfoil? I can't really tell what's going on. Just make sure the new exhaust is the right size

 

[azelhof]

Yea the pipe is ok but I am wondering if the space between the tinfoil and the other piece(on the left) is normal?

 

[xschris]

The 80-82 xs400 sohc exhaust mufflers where welded on from the factory. It looks like someone cut off the factory pipe and tried to fit another pipe. Those type head pipes are not good for slip on type mufflers as there is a weep hole at the top of the pipe that will let air in. The 77-79 sohc pipes had a slip on type muffler which works much better and has no weep hole in the head pipe. I would look for a set of them.

 

[azelhof]

So you mean to buy a new set of header 77-79? And there are going to fit on a 1982?

 

[xschris]

SOHC bike yes. I don't think you will find a new set of 77-79 xs400 head pipes tho. I would look for used ones on ebay.
The first three pics are of the 80-82 style exhaust (cut up) that used the crossover type factory mufflers. The last two are the 77-79 type slip on muffler head pipes.

 

[azelhof]

Ok thank you very much, ill check that on ebay. By chance those in the picture are not to sell?

 

[xschris]

The 77-79 ones I have are not. Sorry.

 

[azelhof]

Ok no problem, and last question, can I just cut the extra part(the part before tinfoil on my picture) of my current head pipe and fix the exhaust on them?

 

[xschris]

Like I stated before about the weep hole, you will get air leaks into it. Also the length of the 80-82 pipe cut off where a muffler can be put on will be much shorter than the 77-79 pipes. First pic is where you would need to cut to get a good place to mount a muffler and the second is how the 77-79 pipes length compares. Keep in mind a few things. A real muffler will be much wider than a straight pipe and needs room to clear foot pegs and foot pedals. If you get a 77-79 set make sure you have a left and right sides as they are specific to fitment.