Tuning the Roadhouse Exhaust

[kw-retrorider]

Drift1 - glad this is working out. I like to hear the engine and other things on the bike instead of get overblown by the exhaust note. "Throaty" is a good description of the sound....and it does roar as you put the rpm to it. Definitely better than and not the stock sound.

[Drift1]

Didn't realize how much vibration I had , being the pipes were on the bike when purchased from po . It's smooth now with the road house exhaust . Ratman what a big difference with the new grips as well . Think your really going to like these .

[CDNRatMan]

  ok what vibration, with the RH I never had a noticeable vibration, I did have some buzzing from the wind screen and using rubber washers I got rid of the buzz. I also have installed the IOS grips and can not wait to try them on a long ride.

[Drift1]

Very true Ratman . One more thing I forgot to mention , which is a big plus for myself . the vibration is GONE . This along with the new grips , and less noise should be a most comfortable ride this year 

[CDNRatMan]

  I tried the stock system on and it was really quiet,

Tried the Hard Chrome, made my ears bleed, not my style,

RH has that really nice throaty sound which does not bother the rest of the world to hating me....

[Drift1]

KW I'm definitely very pleased with this mod . I'm loving the nice throaty rumble .

[kw-retrorider]

A tad louder?....really?.....man am I getting old!

I guess if you are used to or like open pipes, it's all relative....I was coming up on it the other way from the very quiet stock exhaust.

So I hope that means you are happy you did it....it sure looks good.

[Drift1]

Ratman my exhaust I just replaced with the road house were definitely ear bleed material . I myself would like the roadhouse a tad louder , but am liking the fact I can hear the bike now .

[CDNRatMan]

  I really like the RH pipes compared to the Hard Krome pipes, a lot more then the stock pipes. The RH are like you said throaty and enough to let people know you are there and around, but not enough to cause an ear bleed.

[Drift1]

KW I was finally able to get MA-DEUCE out of hibernation tonight . Man is she throaty , but quite compared to my old pipes . I can actually hear the bike now ... LOL ... Were expecting rain tomorrow morning , but SUPPOSE to clear up so I'll take some pictures and take her for a longer test run as I was only able to get 10 miles in today .

[kw-retrorider]

No problem....who wants the right looking pipes with the wrong sound? It was a problem I unfortunately was forced to solve. So, just presented a few options so you guys can keep your winter work lists full.

BTW, now that I have the dbs where I want them, I can hear those valves again...so that's up next.

[gdrudd13]

Awesome info! Thanks for doing all the hard work for us.

[CDNRatMan]

   kw you are one nice person, thanks for your time and efforts in this endeavour

[kw-retrorider]

So I went back to Smartpartz as a courtesy after two of you told me you had 2 inch stub pipes coming out of your baffles. For info, they gave me this link to their product that fits the 2 inch pipe: http://www.smartpartz.com/SPZCB200DP.html

They confirmed the part size but note the directions on the link show they are marketed for a Cobra 2 inch exhaust.

Again just sharing info.

[CDNRatMan]

  ok let us know what you need and we can help you hunt them down........

[gdrudd13]

now having read the other thread and putting them togather,

so much anger in one so young.......lol....

one of the issues in buying used sometimes you get the other persons mistakes or screwups.

The things I deal with to get the model I want lol. The good news is I still have roadhouse exhaust. Now I just need to find the parts to make it a complete exhaust.

And my temper has gotten slightly better 

[CDNRatMan]

things previous owners do that tick you off

now having read the other thread and putting them togather,

so much anger in one so young.......lol....

one of the issues in buying used sometimes you get the other persons mistakes or screwups.

[gdrudd13]

Great thread. Now I have something else to buy if I can ever find a tip to my roadhouse exhaust (things previous owners do that tick you off...).

[kw-retrorider]

Thanks for the photo Ratman.

It confirms something Chris at Smartpartz told me yesterday. Although the internal baffle pipes are different sizes on the Roadhouse baffles, the exiting pipe stub is the same on all at 2.5 inches. That means their part fits all Roadhouse Exhausts with the 2 into 1 canister.

So the difference between your baffle and mine is the inner pipe on the standard baffle is 2 inch, while the performance baffle is 2.5 inch all the way thru. You can see that by comparing your photo with my RH 1 photo.

[CDNRatMan]

  well if we are showing off tail ends here is mine......

[kw-retrorider]

So here's the final tune, with some adjustment left. Probably not for everyone, but worked.

There's a lot of room/space behind the baffle inside the tip, so thought I could tone it down just a little more by reducing the final diameter of the pipe out. For about $3 each, bought 2 reducers.

Photo 1 shows a 2.5 inch to 2 inch reducer, picking up the same set screw holding the Smartpartz baffle, followed by a 2 inch to 1.5 inch reducer slipped on the end - friction fit. So still larger then the 1.25 inch final pipe size in the stock muffler.

Photos 2, 3 and 4 shows it all fits within the tip, so not visible.

Results: Dbs just slightly more than the stock exhaust, but with the deeper tone of the Roadhouse. No whistling wrrrrr of the stock pipes.

Done for me now. For incrementally more sound, I can remove the final 2 inch to 1.5 inch reducer. So diameter plays a part too. Ride on.

[kw-retrorider]

Thanks Guys - I have printed out my share of good threads on things to do and how to do it. I document all this, because I didn't see it anywhere even after I searched. So all the guys who bought these exhausts originally, perhaps had them set up right because there was support when they were still being made and maybe there was nothing to talk about. When you're piecing it together, it's a different process.

This whole evolution has been educational and I dare say a little costly. Probably could have had a custom exhaust made for the amount spent. That said, like Ratman, I'm keeping the machine stock except for the exhaust because it is a hard to find accessory that simply looks right on the Drifter.

Went out for a 35 mile run today....hi temp of 46....getting used to and like the throaty sound...the Drifter needs and deserves it.

Have one more idea to tone it down just a little more....will keep you posted.

[Drift1]

kW I too also filed this very informative information away . This is an excellent thread on the road house exhaust and the research you've provided is outstanding , not to mention the pictures and links to boot . I for one am grateful for the well documented thread and thank you for the time spent achieving the information for others to reference . Kudo's to you KW 

Ratman I would never accuse you of straying away from keeping your bike stock . As much as it HURTS    being nice you've done a fantastic job with Red . Now my bike however , is drifting further and further away from being stock .... LOL 

[CDNRatMan]

 Awesome info, and thanks I have added this to my list of must save items, and the links.

Ratman:...note the front fender treatment on red drifter...similar or like yours in chrome.

Took a close look that would be a 2001 Cardinal Red / Chromed Drifter 800.

The solo seat, clue #1, of course the colour and amount of chrome Clue #2, and look close on the rear fender, Chrome Fender Stay cover, 14091-1319 were not available in the 99 black out, nor in 2000 that I have found stock. clue #3.
When I wanted to do the stay covers, I have to order chrome and from a 2001, never found it for a 99 or anything earlier then 01.
As for the front fender guard, in all my research and looking I could not find that Kawasaki offered a bike standard or stock with front fender guard, engine guard, or sissy bar in North America. That being said I never really checked on the way the European market was set up.
But I did find that there were a number of companies that jumped on the band wagon for after market "stock" parts, to fill this gap for the abovementioned items.  One such company was Custom Wings / Ledrie, based I think in the Netherlands, who have since gone under or closed. They had a huge variety of parts about 3 years ago. They had spot light, light bars, sissy bars, engine guards, luggage and such, in fact I got my sissy bar from them, at a very reasonable price including the shipping to my door step.
Then there is a guy on e bay called motorsloop Guido, in Belgium this guy went out of his way to help with a front engine guard, and my front fender guard. again both shipped and priced better then anyone one in the US. He still has the odd items every so often on ebay.
So with the help of these few people I have managed to keep my bike "stock" or close with parts made for that year and look of the bike. Yes D1 other then the fender stay covers but I like them.....lol....

[kw-retrorider]

Final Notes on Roadhouse and Smartpartz:

See the photo on the Smartpartz box...didn't originally notice this...it's a Drifter, and although I got the part for the Roadhouse 2 into 1, it is clear they are marketing to and have baffles for the other aftermarket pipes.

Ratman:...note the front fender treatment on red drifter...similar or like yours in chrome.

Other: Appreciate the neighbor situation, so came across another article about Roadhouse baffles and necessity to repack them over time, because the packing deteriorates and slowly makes them louder. Again, just for info. See: http://vtwinchic.blogspot.com/2010/05/roadhouse-slip-on-repack.html