I'm seriously considering gutting the stock exhaust but am a bit torn. I like to listen to music while I ride, and obviously, a quieter bike makes that a little easier on the ears. However, a bit of a rumble seems fitting for a Drifter given it's classic cruiser looks and awesome "big" twin profile.
Just looking for feedback from those that have done so to their 800 and any advice that could be offered. From what I've read thus far it seems the mod offers a mild tonal improvement and I'm wondering if it's even worth the effort.
Thoughts?
Thanks a lot 8)
I would buy a roadhouse style exhaust if they where still around, but since I don't really care for the exhaust options available on the market currently, I just modded my stocker.
I had only removed the most rear baffle thingy for awhile, (kind'of a more throaty sound), and it did make it a little bit louder but not enough to warrant not being able to hear music.
and no noticeable differance in performance.
Then I decided to truly remove all baffling from the pipe, as in, when you look in the tail pipe you can see all the way up to the 2 header pipes where they turn up towards the cyinders.
It was a bit of a chore to do it though. I removed the exhaust pipe from the bike and used a really long drill bit to drill several holes right next to the inside wal of the pipe until I could "punch" out each baffling with a 3 foot long half inch diameter steel round stock.
With just a empty pipe now it is alot louder, and would make installing any kind of music player pointless. unless your using in-ears type of listening device. its not louder than alot of chippers and vtwins I ride with though. I personally prefer loud to help other drivers know I'm there. I am not a fan of morons that constantly wrap the throttle and try to be annoying.
it has a nice low-end sounding rumble and imo matches the looks of the bike. I was originally afraid I was going to regret the sound since theres no going back, but I guess I got lucky.
as far as performance there was definetly a noticeable differance after that. I'm almost kinda concerned it may be on the verge of being too lean. guess I better rejet soon and do the intake mod
Thanks a lot for the feedback DarkDrifter.
I'm leaning towards the more conservative stomach stapling approach vs. the full blown disembowelment per your comments on how it might impact listening to music. It was very helpful.
my bike came with the roadhouse exhaust which I thought was the stock one, later I got the stock because the PO had it and called me to pick it up and I swapped them out for a few days, I like the roadhouse a lot more, the stock is really quiet and good if you have really strict neighbours, the roadhouse is not overly loud but does have that rumble that is needed like stated for this bike.
Ratman, et al: Just put a Roadhouse on my 800 and learning a lot....will be the subject of another post all its own....
What size baffle is in your RH, Ratman....2.0 inch standard, 1.5 inch quiet or the 2.5 inch performance. Those diameters equate to the size of the pipe coming out of the 4 inch canister if you took the tip off....or perhaps if you looking into the tip end. Just curious.
All that I could find was the 2.5 inch performance baffle....has the undeniable Roadhouse sound, but is also the loudest...so am working on reducing decibels a little further . More to follow.....and yes it was worth it....and yes it has the corrugated down pipe covers......
QuoteWhat size baffle is in your RH, Ratman....2.0 inch standard, 1.5 inch quiet or the 2.5 inch performance. Those diameters equate to the size of the pipe coming out of the 4 inch canister if you took the tip off....or perhaps if you looking into the tip end. Just curious.
never heard of this, but then I have not been able to find too much info on the pipes for some reason. So I took the tip off and the inside diameter of the muffler is 1.9115 in. so let us say 2.0 inches so standard. Now I have heard the stock, and it is quiet, I have heard V&H long shots on a Vulcan 800, makes my ears bleed they are so loud, but then I am in a residential area were I like my neighbours, and do not want to stand out, so having a semi loud set of pipes is perfect for me. I am really pleased with the sound. and the looks.
I do really like the corrugated heat shields, but could not find a set, Mr. Fitzsimmons was going to get back to me about a set, but after I sent 4 e mails and 3 phone calls later and I have gotten no response from him so I am not going to deal with him, seems my business is not needed.
I found it an easy system to mount, instructions were well printed out and clear, I did use rubber washers to isolate the mounting bracket like I have said and it works really well.
KW that's good info on the diameter size's = decibel's .... Mine is still at my powder coaters , but will have to check mine as well . The pipes that are on my bike now are LOUD . I mean LOOOUUDD . I'm looking for a nice throaty sound without over doing it . Maybe a little video of the sound your getting out of the 2.5 baffle would be helpful . Hey by the way did you find the baffle on ebay ? I look over the weekend for the other sizes for ya .
Ratman: What you have is the standard RH baffle, since you measured it a 2 inches.
Drift1: The search started when the RH I found had no baffle and was loud and definitely an unturned sound....you know the kind that when you drive by, people stare at you. The baffle I found was from Hellrisers Customs....they had the 2 inch and 2.5 inch listed on line, but when they looked, they only had the 2.5 inch, which as I said is what RH calls the performance baffle...larger diameter, increased flow, more sound. http://hellrisercustoms.com/bikes/12/category/Exhaust/subcat/Baffles#RH-OPT-CORE
Other info including RH literature found on line and the bike....black not my first choice, but you take what you can find. More to follow on final tune...running down a few options:
Ok thanks for the info and it is handy to learn, I have the 1812-0006 tip on mine, I do like it. I also really like the corragated heat sheilds but would like the whole exhaust in chrome, just because, any way it will be what it is and yours will look awesome once you have it on and running.
Ratman: That 0006 is a nice looking tip....they're works of art...as you can see I have the 0005.
Sorry - didn't mean to hijack the thread.....but it was baffle related.
KW keep us updated on your findings . My exhaust is done and will journey on over to pick it up Saturday . I'll let you know what baffle if any is in mine , as I never looked . It came and went all in the same day . I wish you had said something dude I would have gladly traded my Chrome rh for your black . I would of just had it re-ceramic coated if need be . Oh well , to late for that . Any way I left my serrated heat shields chrome foe time being to see if I like the break up of color scheme or not . If not I'll get them done as well .
Drift1: Thanks man, but you know the timing never works out that way.....I didn't have the pipes when you first got yours....or we could have worked something out. On your pipes....if there is a Roadhouse baffle of any type in you canister....meaning it is anything but empty when you take the tip off and look....you will be fine. And if you find it is other than the performance baffle, you know where to get it. Keep me in mind if you have a quieter baffle and are making the switch. Which tip do you have?
I don't mind the black...but you can go too black. Chrome would look better I think, but it is growing on me. It is obviously the original finish, but the canister and tip need some work for a more uniform finish. I don't know what they put on it originally; it is not ceramic; the down pipe covers seem to be a semi-gloss, while the canister and tip have faded to flat....no surprise as those parts see the heat. In any case....it's all good.
May need someone of the younger generation to help with a video, so don't hold your breath...:)
KW I'm excited to see mine and curious of what baffle is in mine so I'll pick the exhaust up tonight after work on give you an update . As for the canister and such you can rattle can paint this with high temp paint , like for barbeque grills . I think the black goes well with your bike , myself .
Drift1: Thanks for your opinion on the look. Was thinking the same thing on paint to start. Let's see a photo when you get it on....maybe we should swap corrugated down pipes. Good luck on picking up the goods...will be watching for your update.
Ok KW my man . I picked up the exhaust and it's in pieces . I'm actually polishing the corrugated heat shields at this moment just took a little break to let the polish sit for a bit . The exhaust is a color called black velvet and looks great imop , of course . I do not have a baffle what's so ever , but have two exhaust tips . At the moment I don't have the codes , but after this post will look and let you know what two tips I posses .
Ok just looked at the codes and I have 5 and 7 tips . Now to look for ratmans install intructions here on the forum to get this thing together ::)
Quote from: kw-retrorider on February 28, 2014, 03:47:37 AM
I don't mind the black...but you can go too black. Chrome would look better I think, but it is growing on me.
KW: My 800 has the identical original paint that yours does. Yours looks great. I agree with your opinion, that I might prefer the pipe being chrome, but it's a mild preference - It really looks great in black. I like it.
greenbarn: Thanks...like I said, it's growing on me. Once I get the baffle situation where I want it and clean up the canister and tip finish....I think it is a keeper.
Drift1: Did you get those pipes on my man?
Just holding 45 degrees here and about 2 hours from rain, then "wintry" mix....just went for a 35 mile run with the new RH and the performance baffle. Pitch, sound and tone nice...only a few too many decibels, so working on that. But....long enough run for everything to be properly warmed up....no popping or stray noises....just a little louder than I'd like.
Ordered a smartpartz "hard core" quite baffle insert that is supposed to run it down 6 db at idle and 12 db at 2000 rpm (not that we can tell w/o a tach). So I am happy with the roadhouse and just need to quite it down a tad.
Ratman: I can tell you that with this 2.5 inch baffle, you aren't sensitive to valve noise....way under the radar. Decided that when I get the exhaust sorted out, I'm getting the valves done (because I think they have never been done...18,300 on the clock now)....did you ever do yours?
kw, never did get the valves done yet, seems that Dave the guy who was going to help me with has vanished and went down south, not sure of the story yet just found out yesterday, but I do know that last fall he said that they sounded fine and everything was good, but I am still wanting to have them checked, so going to look about and see if I can find a reputable mech. to lend me a hand with this project.
as per sound from the RH standard as that is what I have, I have only had one neighbour complain about the sound from the bike at 0600 as I leave for work, but I start the bike, go close the shed door, put my helmet on an then close the choke and away I go, no worse then her dogs barking when people pull into their driveway and go for like 20 mins. afterwards.
I really like the sound of the RH as it is an will keep it as such. If it is not broken why mess with it.
KW pipes are complete brother . I had to do a few minor adjustments to the heat shield to get it close to the serrated shields first thing this morning . All and all I'm liking the look . Ordered up the baffle from Hell risers as per your recommendation as well first thing this morning . Glad to hear you were able to take a little ride today to diagnose and feel out your new exhaust , man that's sweet 8)
Well being the bike is still in the basement here's the best pic I can get of the " new to me " roadhouse exhaust installed
Drift1: That really looks nice. Could have gone either way with the down pipes, but really looks good.
So I know it's in the basement, but are you telling me, you didn't fire it up just once to hear those pipes......
KW thanks man , once your able to see the whole bike you'll get a better picture of why I left the serrated shields chrome . Being I repainted the bike over the winter there's still no gas in the tank so no I still haven't fired up the bike to hear what it even sounds like . It's killing me , though ::)
Looking really good there, D1. Can't wait to see all the rest of the pics.
man it is in the basement, go for it, it is your castle, you own it fire it up and listen to the sound.......
Thanks GB , I'll post pictures as soon as this dam weather breaks and am able to get the bike out doors . It's 0600 and hailing like crazy as I'm on my way to work . As troll would say , " weather guessers " are calling for rain all week long .
Ratman like you even I draw the line running the bike in doors .
OH dude in the basement I would be running the engine every chance I got, a chunk of dryer vent hose and open the windows......bingo, but in the living room right next to the bedroom no not going to happen......
I bought my 04 800 used on ebay. When I started it up it was to quite. I took a look at the end of the pipe. I can see where someone ran something through the pipe, but can't tell how extensive the mod was. I joined my local CMA chapter and went riding with a bunch of Harleys. While riding behind and in between them, I could not hear my exhaust and just felt for the shift points. I found a Road Burner exhaust made by Hard Chrome, on ebay for somewhere around $350.00 I think. I put them on, Grampsized the air cleaner, jetted the carb, and man what a difference in sound and performance. It depends on what you are looking for, but my modified 2-into-1 pipes were just to quite for me. I Traded up from riding a custom hardtail chopper, and a Road king to the 800 Drifter. Now it sounds just as good as it looks. I will take some pics with the mods and send them in the near future.