According to the diagram there appears to be "2" crossover pipes: one at the front and one that must connect just ahead of the mufflers. Is this accurate for all years?
I'm asking because my '87 was a California model and has a catalytic converter that I want to get rid of and replace with new headers, but all the ones I've found just come with a single crossover at the front.
Which one is correct and does it matter if there is only one?
Not to me it doesn't. My 1983 R65 had some nasty header pies and ghetto clamped x-overs where the OEM pinch-clamps
used to be. Rusted away they were.
I got out my metal cutting tools and removed the x-over tubes completely. Cut and ground away the stubby tubes on the headers. Used the x-over tubing to cut and shape patches that were then TIG welded onto the header pipes. A little gentle touch up with a grinder and I called it done. Ultimately, I added EMGO Dunstall repop mufflers and used a tan fiberglas heat wrap material and stainless zipties to cover the ugly headers.
No difference in performance at all. I've heard and read so many different and usually unsubstantiated reasons for the single and/or dual cross-over pipes that I quit worrying about it.