This may be a stupid question, but will removing the baffles from the muffler do any damage to the engine? Mine were gone when I bought my drifter, just wondering.....
No... doesn't help performance and may be a fuel/air mix problem.
No, will not damage the engine.
I didn't think so, but wasn't sure. I always pulled the baffle out of my enduro bikes, but this is a totally different situation! LOL I have to keep the choke pulled out a tiny bit to keep a strong idle even after the bike is warmed up.....any suggestions? Thanks for the replies.
Have a look at this topic:
http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/index.php?topic=1952.msg8010#msg8010 (http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/index.php?topic=1952.msg8010#msg8010)
All you are doing is increasing the fast idle. If you need it after warm up... you need to adjust the idle itself (little knob under the right side air box). Assuming you have a 1500...
I've got a 2003 800....sorry about that Chief, guess I should of mentioned that.
Removing the baffles in the exhaust will cause a lean condition. Very important in cooler weather, and with a carbureted engine. Rejetting is the only solution short of reinstalling the baffles, to restore driveability. Fuel mileage will likely suffer, as the mixture will have to be enrichened, mainly in the mid range, to compensate for the increased air flow. Case in point, a change of one baffle plate in a supertrapp system will change the power band. All engines, require a certain amount of exhaust back pressure to prevent over scavenging. 2 stroke engines had expansion chambers and very small exhaust openings. 4 stroke engines have baffled exhaust. Noise is not the only reason to have a muffler. Excessive lean running may cause detonation piston damage. Back in the old days, when gasoline could be had with as much as a 102 octane rating at the corner station, it was less of an issue. Hot rodding just isn't what it used to be.
Yeah, the model helps.... but in this case the 800 still has a little idle speed knob to adjust the idle. Let the engine warm up and adjust the idle... see if that helps. If not, rejetting as Troll indicates is the next choice.
We've added bike model to the profile info, so I've updated yours to show 800...
Duffy, Troll, and Chief- Thank You so much for the information, I appreciate the feedback. Sounds like some minor adjustments will do the trick. Now if only the weather would cooperate! Can't wait for Spring....