Well ok fox, I have had to bend tabs at times, both on pro circuit, and fmf, I havent given up on them there good pipes, My herd of k5's are not perfect, 86 87 88 89 92 94 99 02 and 04, But there all in pretty good shape. I've installed pipes (mounts) and some times the bolt distance center to center (hole in dampner) is different, (mount hole in frame) sometimes to short, sometimes to long. and yes I've played with these K5's for quite a few years. Thats how I've got a herd of them. JUst because manufactures dont make things absolutely perfect, doesnt mean I give up on them. I've bought after market sub frames, brand new and the ends were to fat, to go into the mounts on the frame, I had to grind them, and make them thinner to fit. I just make it work, and most of the time better then factory. Shoot I've been building exhaust mounts for years twice as strong and adjustable for manufacteries defects and crashes. I've swaped sub frames from old style to new style, swings arms the same,wheels, rear brakes, front fork, small dia to large. cylinders swaped back and forth. old style to new style, new style to old style. on on on on , Yes i've played with these old bikes, quite a few years. I ride them even more though, usually 4 times a week. tuesdays thursday sat sun. All year long, winter to. 15 degrees is chilly on a 500, note might consider rejetting at those temps. The bike gets pretty pingee at those temp. I really dont sweat the small stuff like you do, I just make it work. O did I forget to mention, I'm installing a 05 artic cat king cat 900 twin cylinder two stroke motor in a 200 k5 frame hillclimbing bike. 150hp stock. Whole new drive train, with jack shafts. Like I said I just make s**t work. And work well. I do not break down on my k5's, Where I ride its way up canyons. It would take all day to walk out. Here in Wyoming. Yep ive played with these old bikes. thanks