French Red Tape

[Jet]

I ride a 1976 Z1000A1 and I moved to France the roads are ace but the weather is just the same as UK this year any way I waffle. I am trying to register my Z to get a cute little French number plate, I have had all the work done to get it too conform but alas my Marshall Exhaust does not conform its too loud the rules are 91db at 4000rpm is the max and the marshall puts out 95db. Does any one have any ideas that may help as I think my only option is too change the exhaust for an origional to me that like trying to find the illusive needle in the haystack. I have tried everything I can think of! ! ! ! HELP HELP
Blonde and desperate in France
Jet

[Bill Newman]

Hi jet - assuming the Marshall to be 4 into 1, I got over the same problem at a noise restricted track day by buying a baffle that fits onto the end of the can using a self tapper. This supressed the level down to 95db at 5000revs...and was removed about 1 minute later!!!
Cost about ?12 to buy. Let me know if you want some more details and I'll see what I can do.

[Garn 1]

Jet, to be able to use your Marshall 4 into 1, you will have to be able to remove the baffle. It should be removable, albeit, with some difficulty.

Once removed, you simply wrap some insulating wool around the baffle tube, tie it with wire and re-assemble. I have heard of someone using Stainless Steel wool. Should last the distance.

RegardZ.

[Jet]

Thanks for that, I rang Kawasaki yesterday and he told me that the only exhaust that conforms to French requirements is an origional one so I think I am stuffed, I had thought of repacking my Harris but it doesnt conform if I could only find an origional to use for 2 weeks then I could get all the tests and paperwork done and re-fit the marshall but some how I dont think thats going to happen. The only option to me is to sell the Z and get something else, but I will be dead before that happens as I love my Z to bits and any other bike just does not come close. I also like the fact that not many blonde birds ride Z's as its a heavy old lump and girlies cant handle it.

[bunnysZ]

theres an original z1r 4-1 on german ebay at the moment , mega money though

[chrisNI]

I still think if you get enough baffling material stuffed into a Marshall it should be quiet enough. Who has the noise meter?

[Garn 1]

Jet, I agree with ChrisN, my only problem was the dismantling of the baffle on the 'Marshall'. So, what about repacking the 'Harris' you mentioned? You will, of course, loose performance. however, it's only a temporary solution! ..... RegardZ.

[Rich]

Buy a cheap Neta stick it on for two weeks and then hang it in the garage / shed until needed again.

[Jet]

As I said the only pipe that conforms is an origional one and the Marshall will never conform even if it was as quiet as my mates new FZ600 and you cant hear that. A mate came yesterday and lit a candle at the end of the preverbeal tunnel apparently as of 1.1.08 I can register the old Z as a classic and it does not have to conform to all this stupid red tape so if I cant find an origional pipe before then that I can afford I will wait till 2008 and do it the easy way.
Thanks for all your replies and suggestions for which I am grateful.
Ride safe and with stlye on your Zed's
Jet

[Jet]

Just thought I would post this incase it helps anyone else in the future. I have just been in touch with another departement of the french vehicle licensing and it turns out that if I download the form from the net, get a free piece of paper from the local tax office, photocopy my UK registration, take two nice piccy's of my lovely Z and send this off with a cheque for 50 euros I will receive back an attestation which means I can the go to the registration office and get my registration document for another 80 euro's of course pay pay pay JOB DONE. I will add I am disgusted with Kawasaki France as they took 100euros from me for a certificate of conformity and new damn well my bike would never conform, so guess who is going to be receiving a letter very soon.
It is cheaper and far easier in the UK but the roads are not as good.

Take care and have fun

[Surfdeneige]

Glad its all worked out. Just like to say that unless you have travelled all the UK roads then I would argue that the French roads aren't better. We have a lot of roads up here in north of Scotland that are amoung the best in the world.

[Davy Doherty]

The roads if France are ace and the drivers are very biker friendly and know what lane to drive in unlike England,

[Surfdeneige]

Yeah but scotland aint England, has 800 years of the Irish struggle taught you nothing!

[Davy Doherty]

Just like to say that unless you have travelled all the UK roads

. You said it not me!!! And you don't know me so don't lecture me about Irish politics..

[spiny]

Caught napping by the SNP there Davy.....