Questions about my new bike.

[BigS]

Hey,
I've been watching this forum for a few weeks, since I bought my 1984 Kawasaki 700LTD. It's my first bike and I love it. Scored it for a good price and it runs well.
The previous owner had drilled three pencil sized holes in the back end of each exhaust to give it a little more sound. An older fellow who has a similar bike told me to drill three or four more holes. I was wondering if this is going to affect performance. Someone told me if I mess with the exhaust too much, I may have to make adjustments to the carbs. Also does anyone know where I can find aftermarket exhaust for this?
Any recommendations on brand or model of tires for this bike, the front tire is word down pretty well and has some cracks between the tread. There is a Cheng Shin tire on the rear in good condition, any comments on these?

Thanks
Steve

[73_F7E_175]

drilling holes in the back of the exhaust is BAAADDDD. If you want it to sound cool, dont drill, its a good way to NOT make friends. Any brand of tire will work but I would recommend scoping around for a set with high marks from other people. I'm not a tire specialist, so I can't help much there. Performance-wise, drilling doesn't do much, just lets the exhaust get out faster, sometimes adding HP, or the contrary. Any aftermarket muffler installation will usually cause you to jet or rejet.

[73_F7E_175]

Drilling holes in the back of the exhaust is BAAADDDD. If you want it to sound cool, dont drill, its a good way to NOT make friends. Any brand of tire will work but I would recommend scoping around for a set with high marks from other people. I'm not a tire specialist, so I can't help much there. Performance-wise, drilling doesn't do much, just lets the exhaust get out faster, sometimes adding HP, or the contrary. Any aftermarket muffler installation will usually cause you to jet or rejet.

Experiment with different exhausts.

[cudaosix]

Yes, altering your current exhaust further could effect performance, an aftermarket exhaust is a good idea. Vance and Hines make good exhaust systems, reasonably priced, its what I'm useing now and I'm happy with it. Some people swear by Kerker but from what I'v seen their about a buck fifty more then V&H. Mac is probably the cheapest but I'v heard some negative things from MAC owners. Either way you go you'll need to rejet your carbs. I'll post a link to whear you might be able to find a V&H exhaust for your bike, you'll need to call and talk to Jeff, mabey he can locate what you need. Tires, I'm useing Dunlop GT501, sofar I like them. they stick to the blacktop well.

Call this place, mabey they can locate a V&H for your model
http://www.z1enterprises.com/
or
Use this to find what model you need and search e-bay
http://www.vanceandhines.com/