OK... So I'm guessing I'll get some gruff for this one, but here I go...
New HK Hard Krome 3" pipes are finally on their way. Everything else on my 02 R* is stock (as far as I know). Stock air box, filter, jetting, etc... I remember seeing a thread here on RSC that said with this setup, no need to re-jet for just pipes... BUT, I would like to get the benefit of having better pipes out of the bike... I know Barons is the jet kit to have, but... planning on a K&N in the stock airbox in the not too distant future. Do I absolutely have to rejet now, and is it worth it to put the K&N in the bike when I do the exhaust and/or jet kit (wife may not totally understand the expenditure, but that should go without saying - no need to get into details now)? Also, since I am carb stupid, is anyone in the MSP area available to assist with this project? I am the absolute dumbest dumb person when it comes to working on carbs (as I'm sure the guy who bought my '66 Impala can attest). Please keep the ribbing to a minimum, if you could (I'm sure that won't happen - seen some good ribbing here on RSC - it's all in good fun).
Thanks.
Andy

And before you all OG's give me too much grief... I know jetting has been discussed as nauseum... but not so much with mostly a stock setup.

I ran my HK's with the stock filter for awhile until I got the funds to get the K&N. Once I picked up the K&N, I then bought the Barons kits to rejet.

You should be fine just changing out the pipes first.

Thanks Roadierob... I'll give it a try. And I was smart and picked up new Yamaha gaskets today Hopefully all goes well. Any other cautions I should be aware of in taking off stock pipes after 15 years/18K miles? I'm guessing lots of PB Blaster to loosen the nuts...

RockStar wrote:
Thanks Roadierob... I'll give it a try. And I was smart and picked up new Yamaha gaskets today Hopefully all goes well. Any other cautions I should be aware of in taking off stock pipes after 15 years/18K miles? I'm guessing lots of PB Blaster to loosen the nuts...

You may want to use an impact driver so you don't shear the exhaust studs off

http://www.ebay.com/itm/TEKTON-2905-3-8-Inch-Drive-Manual-Hand-Impact-Driver-Set-7-Piece/291857509188?_trksid=p2060778.c100290.m3507&_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20160727114228%26meid%3D20e95ac6dbf84bfa9cb3e3bb88ec8d25%26pid%3D100290%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26mehot%3Dag%26sd%3D291857509188

Plus you do not need to re-jet with just a pipe change

Tug, thanks for verifying the jet issue... if I don't have an impact wrench, any other advice? I do have a long breaker bar and some patience... lol.

RockStar wrote:
Tug, thanks for verifying the jet issue... if I don't have an impact wrench, any other advice? I do have a long breaker bar and some patience... lol.

No problem. Do you have an autozone near you? You can borrow one there. Or buy one, they are cheap and handy to have sometimes. I would try to avoid the breaker bar unless you have no other options. The exhaust studs are a little too mild IMHO.

In the past I've used PB Blaster and given an extension with the socket on the end of the bolt or whatever a couple of wraps with a hammer. Not beating the crap out of it, but just enough to loosen the junk around the threads.

Good luck. Also FYI, your going to find the HK's can be pretty darn loud. I ended up putting Smartpartz Baffles in mine on top of the stock baffles to quite them down a little. Their still pretty loud when you give it handful though.

Enjoy
Rob

Tug, yes I do have AutoZone (and Napa and O'Reily's) nearby... and a few friends that might have an impact wrench... trying to bribe them with a few adult beverages now. Roadierob, I am looking for a fair amount of bark and bite. Not sure the neighbors will agree, but I'd like to be able to hear my bike when I'm riding with my buddies. Currently, it sounds like a sewing machine next to anyone else. If it's too loud, I'll look into the quieter baffles.

I'll try my best not to ham fist the bolts... fingers crossed for a successful change-over.