MK3 balanced pipes on a MK2a

kommando · May 17, 2017

I currently run unbalanced pipes on a MK2A with peashooters, had to as the old balanced system rusted away, but it never split and I miss the low end grunt (real or imaginary) so wondered if the MK3 balanced pipes with peashooters would work but do not know if they run differently especially on the primary side with the different primary case.

grandpaul · May 17, 2017

Alignment will interfere with kickstarter, resulting in a nice scratched arc in the right side muffler.

kommando · May 17, 2017

I will be fitting a T160 RGM type kicker at the same time which will remove that problem.

I have kept all the previous fittings ie spherical seats etc, just need to change the collets to the MK3 style and that is the head side sorted.

grandpaul · May 17, 2017

The pipes should clear the primary case with no issues.

Matchless · May 17, 2017

Kommando,
What you are saying about more low end grunt is interesting. Does anyone actually know if this is real or imagined. I had always believed that the balance pipe was to help reduce exhaust noise, but it would be worth fitting if it really did increase low end torque.
Martyn.

grandpaul · May 17, 2017

"Only the dyno knows for sure"

I'd like to see an actual dyno chart...

kommando · May 17, 2017

All I can say is I noticed a difference but it was a winter job so Sept with then a gap until Apr without, was it real ? only a dyno would tell but I definitely thought for the same road I was needing to work the gearbox more in the tight bits. I also noticed the louder exhaust note and I had used the same silencers as they had been new the year before, could be that tricks the senses.

Off to buy a set to try and will leave a smaller gap this time as I will do the change during the summer. But no dyno runs booked.

GP, thanks for the info.

Esmerela · May 17, 2017

whose balanced pipes were you going to fit ?

I was recently collecting some parts from AN, and I noticed that their MK3 had a set of prototype balanced pipes fitted,may be worth a call to see when they will be available as a stock item, RGM may make a excellent kick start :|

B+Bogus · May 19, 2017

My second 850 had balanced pipes and the fit wasn't as good as the non-balanced, but they went on OK-ish.
My greatest reservation is the reduced thread engagement of the shorter exhaust roses. I've yet to see an 850 head which hasn't had or needed the threads repaired.
Performance-wise... not sure! I think the bike ran smoother with them, but it may have been for a number of reasons.

baz · May 19, 2017

The only difference I noticed when I went from a balanced system to separate down pipes was the noise level went up,the bike felt the same to me

Danno · May 19, 2017

B+Bogus said:
My second 850 had balanced pipes and the fit wasn't as good as the non-balanced, but they went on OK-ish.
My greatest reservation is the reduced thread engagement of the shorter exhaust roses. I've yet to see an 850 head which hasn't had or needed the threads repaired.
Performance-wise... not sure! I think the bike ran smoother with them, but it may have been for a number of reasons.

Here's a first for ya. This head has had multiple different exhausts over the years, gets the roses loosened and re-tightened multiple times on a regular basis and has had no thread repairs. I use the spherical seats, not crush washers.

MK3 balanced pipes on a MK2a

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