Tuning the Roadhouse Exhaust

[CDNRatMan]

   Very informative, will file this away for reference. Like I have said only one person has ever made comments about how "loud" my system is. and that is normally at 0630 on a work morning.
I push the bike from the shed, park it on the end of the driveway the exhaust pointing east, start the bike on half choke, (PO said it always needs choke to start when cold), start it, walk back to shed lock it up, grab helmet and put it on, get on bike, adjust helmet, put gloves on, take choke off, shoulder check, and pull off.
Female neighbour (she always has something to bitch about) living to the west of me say's my exhaust is too loud. No one else has ever said it is overly loud. Everyone has said it has a really nice sound to it.
Most importantly I like it, I think the sound suits the bike and the looks of the bike, so it will remain as is. I need to learn to make a sound vid of it and post it.
Even with my pot helmets, I do not find the sound loud and hard on the ears.

SIDENOTE:
got a couple of lads with V&H longshots to ride past one day as she was sitting outside.......since then no real comments of how "loud" my pipes are anymore.

[kw-retrorider]

Drift1: Thanks. FYI, shipping from Hell Risers was a little slow. Use the tracking link and you can see where your package is. Patience my man.

If you blow up the one photo with the box from smartpartz, you'll see the instructions, or go to the link on-line. You have to drill a 1/4 hole in the 2/5 inch stub coming out of the baffle and then put in a set screw.

Other:
- Just want to point out that Jim at Hell Risers and Chris at Smartpartz were very responsive and helpful ahead of the decision to buy. Several rounds of emails and good discussion.
- Smartpartz makes their baffle for lots of applications, in cast anyone with Long Shots or other aftermarkets you have need a little taming.

So all that's left is be next to Ratman and see how it compares to the Roadhouse with the standard 2 inch baffle.

Anyone have the Roadhouse Quiet Baffle?

[Drift1]

KW man this is a great write up  See you been busy searching around for that specific sound you wanted to achieve . Now am I understanding correctly , the smart partz baffle is added to the road house " performance " baffle for added decrease in db's ? How does this bolt up or is it meant to just slip on the road house baffle and bolted to the tube as 1 unit ?

I'm still waiting on my performance baffle to arrive . I'm going to give them a call this morning to see if in fact it has been shipped . It was in stock so I honestly thought I would have received it by now . I'm anxious in getting the bike back together .

Kw I'm glad you finally have that road house exhaust we both have searched countless hours for and now have it tuned to your likings 

[kw-retrorider]

Fellow Drifters and Roadhouse Seekers - Worked thru this interesting exhaust situation to come up with a happy ending, so thought I'd share the results.

The story starts with finding a Roadhouse exhaust from a fellow Drifter Forum member and closing the deal. Upon receipt, it was obvious the 4 inch canister had nothing in it by way of a baffle.
Result 1: It changed the sound of the engine alright...to a deep hollow unturned roar that just too much for me.

Looking around the web, I found an original advertisement for Roadhouse Exhausts that I posted on the forum, noting that the marketing indicated "removable baffles" and showed a picture of one. On that same link was a list of  part numbers. From my research, there is a standard baffle, a quiet baffle and a performance baffle. Further looking resulted in finding a source with a few Roadhouse baffles left. You can find it here:
http://hellrisercustoms.com/bikes/12/category/Exhaust/subcat/Baffles#RH-OPT-CORE
When I finally ordered, all they actually had was the 2.5 inch performance baffle, so I jumped on it.

Photo RH 1 is the 2.5 inch baffle in the 4 inch canister.

The baffle came with substantial fiberglass wrapped around it. I installed it all in haste, but is was tight. Drift 1: Suggest you unwrap some of the fiberglass to reduce the outside diameter so you can freely move the baffle in and out.

Result 2: This quieted the low rumble some and changed the sound to a tuned growl, especially where it pops at shifting speeds. Now it sounded like a Roadhouse as you hear on all the U-tube videos. So, moving in the right direction, but still too many dbs both at idle and at speed, not to mention the neighbors.

Looking around the web again, I came up with another company making baffles for the baffle - Smartpartz HardKore Quiet Baffles and they make one for the 4 inch Roadhouse two into one.  Here is the link to the baffle require: http://www.smartpartz.com/SPZRH4002N1SO.html

This was the quote from Chris at Smartpartz: "The baffle significantly reduce the decibel output (approx. 4-6 decibels at idle and 10-12 decibels at 2,000rpm)  and increase engine back pressure resulting in a stronger mid-range - they also tidy up the sound on deceleration."

Photo RH 2 shows the Roadhouse Baffle pulled out for install; Photo RH 3 shows what you get from smartpartz and Photo RH 4 shows it installed. Interesting is that what they only sell one part and it is specifically designed for the 2.5 inch performance baffle

Result 3: The smartpartz baffle did what it said. It lowered the dbs further as advertised, took the edge off the growl where it pops when you shift and overall retained the tuned rumble. I am happy with the results. Make no mistake, there is still plenty of sound, but now instead of the higher pitched, almost whistling sound of the stock exhaust, the engine sounds like what a single crankpin V-twin should.

Thought you guys should know.
Drift 1 - If you are used to straight pipes, I think you will be happy with the 2.5 inch roadhouse baffle by itself. Let us know when you get it in.

Last observation - stock  engine and intake. With this exhaust all baffled up, don't hear any unusual sounds, popping or otherwise. Performance is unaltered. So no adjustments yet. Plan is to have it sniffed when I take it in for valve adjustment, then decide on re-jetting if needed. My gut says not needed, but have no proof yet. To continue.