you have to cut the ends of the stock sp1 header and weld it onto the sp2 header.

 

you may have issues with the sp1 swingarm and the exhaust

 

Is there any other way around that? Some people seem to have got around this issue without welding the SP1 ends onto the SP2.
I have seen one solution where they have used the SP1 headers but cut and welded the X - link exhaust exit of the SP2 but I'd rather not go down that route.

 

Is there any other way around that? Some people seem to have got around this issue without welding the SP1 ends onto the SP2.
I have seen one solution where they have used the SP1 headers but cut and welded the X - link exhaust exit of the SP2 but I'd rather not go down that route.

That was me. Still running that header.

Did you check to see if the front header flange was actually mating up correctly to the exhaust port of the cylinder head?
Unless you filed of a bit of material from the header flange, I don't think it quite fits.
This may help. (Shamelessly plagiarized from Speedzilla )






Some differences between SP1 and SP2 headers - Speedzilla Motorcycle Message Forums

 

you're gonna have to cut and weld one way or another, unless you swap the heads on the bike to sp2 which is way more work.

 

i just used the inlets off of the sp1 header on the sp2 header so that it eliminated the second slip joint on the rear cylinder. Please keep in mind you will most likely have clearance issues with the swingarm if you are running sp2 exhaust on a sp1 with an sp1 swingarm.

 

hey man I might buy that sp2 stuff off of you and you could buy the right shit just saying... also I have a 2 to 1 jardine system thatll fit a sp1 PM me if you wanna talk about this.

-Brian

 

i would take bpw up on his offer, or hit up simon to see what he can get you for an sp1

 

I've had 6 different sets of slip-ons and no swingarm clearance issues at all with the SP2 header and SP1 swingarm.
OEM, Ladybird, 2 sets of Sato's, Yosh's and some other garage built ones.

 

Yeah plan is to get a manual, main problem with the bike is that the previous owner didn't take care of the bike. Screws are missing or mismatched. Other screws are stripped making it super difficult to remove. Taking the side fairing off for example is a chore, compared to my other bike which are a 5 minute job.
Good thing its a RC51 and I just love the sound and look of them.

 

Quick update. I'll post pics. Need the post count to do so though.

 

>Ok update. I tried to put the SP2 headers on it didn't work properly. I can get them on only if I don't use the gasket that joins the rear header. I tried with the gasket and it doesn't allow enough movement to join up the front and rear exhaust headers.

I measured the SP2 and SP1 headers and the ports look the same size. See attached image.


SP1 exhaust flange fitting onto SP1 engine


SP1 exhaust flange compared to SP2 exhaust flange. They seem to be the same diameter.


SP2 vs possible aftermarket SP1 header


SP2 header on SP1 engine, seems to mate up nice and snug


Rear SP2 exhaust fitting onto SP1 engine, again seems to fit nice and snug.


SP2 header on SP1 rear

Shows the exhaust all put together but missing the rear gasket.

 

So i need to figure out a way to match them up with the gasket attached. Currently as it stands the exhaust are all in place and I don't have any clearance issues. The exhaust does touch the belly pan but I reckon if I file it a tad then it wont touch the belly pan.
But without the gasket then I'm back at square one.



Any further ideas? :crying:

 

I used my SP1 2 piece for the rear cylinder to mate to the SP2 header. I remember having flexibility issues too.

 

Is that when you cut up the SP1 piece and welded it onto the SP2 header?
I'm thinking of just cutting and welding but I'm afraid I'll get it wrong. Need to be sure that I get me measurements all correct.

The aftermarket header is from a full Akrapovic system

Thanks for that, how did you know its a Akrapovic header?

 

The aftermarket header is from a full Akrapovic system

 

Thanks for that, how did you know its a Akrapovic header?[/QUOTE]

Because i have 3 Akra header sets in my garage

 

RC51p are you talking about using your akra header with the x pipe from a stock sp2 header?

 

Yeah taking the Akra SP1 headers and combining them with the SP2 headers.

Using the SP1 header, flange and all of that and just using the exit ports of the SP2 header to get the correct angle to match the exhaust.

Might be a challenge as I think the Akra system has a larger diameter than the stock SP2 header.

 

I wouldn't cut up the akra header. Sell it and get s stock sp1 header to cut up.

 

Is that akra Ti or stainless?

 

Akra ti headers are rarer than rocking horse shit, they never sold them to the public, maybe a couple of top race teams had them.

 

I'll check when I get home. Magnet check, I guess will tell me.

Looks like, I have to either buy another SP1 header or SP1 exhaust cans. Don't seem to be any name brand SP1 exhausts out there, all seem to be stuff out the UK (Hawk, IXIL, Screaming Demon) and if the exhaust cans are made to suit a standard SP1 header that means that my larger diameter headers might not work either.

 

When you are doing your magnet check remember that a magnet won't attract stainless

 

Any easy way of checking to see what material it is?

 

You can hit it with an angle grinder 😀 Ti gives distinctive white sparks
Your headers will have some rust, just very fine surface corrosion from the small ferrous content of the stainless, ti won't rust, also you get the rainbow coloured effect on Ti

 

Thanks Jondog9, I will give it another go again this weekend. Been pretty busy with other projects so the RC51 is taking the back seat.

 

Quick update. Managed with some elbow grease to move the headers into place. I had to wiggle the rear cylinder link and push it further into the rear header.
I expanded the opening of the link pipe and moved the gasket a bit lower, this then allowed me to push the 2nd cylinder exiting link pipe lower into the header.

Tightened it all up and run it for a few minutes and using hood leak test (soap water) couldn't detect any exhaust leak. I haven't had the chance to run it more than a few minutes as have a lot on and with my schedule will be at least 1 month before I can take it out for a ride to see how it all fairs.