How do you muffler guys live with yourselves???
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,193
Likes: 494
From: Richmond, VA
How do you muffler guys live with yourselves???
I just couldn't take it any more! I recently swapped out my drag pipes for a 2 into 1 system and couldn't decide what pipe to finish it off with. I chose the shark tail muffler in my Sig pic. But even after knocking the stuffing out of the thing, it was just TOO QUIET! I see so many of you guys running big mufflers and I commend you for your choice, but man O man, I just couldn't take it. I had to ditch the thing and install a straight through fishtail. I choose the extra long 36 inch pipe and because I did even the straight pipe seems almost too quiet...lol. I wonder if all those years as a bass player in a crappy high school band has killed my hearing, because I just couldn't deal with a bike with mufflers. All I can say is you guys are more than welcome to your 3-5 horsepower, I have to have a bike that makes noise. Oh, I'm a state troopers dream.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUHxcSqijlI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUHxcSqijlI
Club Member
Joined: May 2006
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From: the 50s & the 60s
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,382
Likes: 4
From: Kennewick, WA
I just couldn't take it any more! I recently swapped out my drag pipes for a 2 into 1 system and couldn't decide what pipe to finish it off with. I chose the shark tail muffler in my Sig pic. But even after knocking the stuffing out of the thing, it was just TOO QUIET! I see so many of you guys running big mufflers and I commend you for your choice, but man O man, I just couldn't take it. I had to ditch the thing and install a straight through fishtail. I choose the extra long 36 inch pipe and because I did even the straight pipe seems almost too quiet...lol. I wonder if all those years as a bass player in a crappy high school band has killed my hearing, because I just couldn't deal with a bike with mufflers. All I can say is you guys are more than welcome to your 3-5 horsepower, I have to have a bike that makes noise. Oh, I'm a state troopers dream.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUHxcSqijlI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUHxcSqijlI
I just couldn't take it any more! I recently swapped out my drag pipes for a 2 into 1 system and couldn't decide what pipe to finish it off with. I chose the shark tail muffler in my Sig pic. But even after knocking the stuffing out of the thing, it was just TOO QUIET! I see so many of you guys running big mufflers and I commend you for your choice, but man O man, I just couldn't take it. I had to ditch the thing and install a straight through fishtail. I choose the extra long 36 inch pipe and because I did even the straight pipe seems almost too quiet...lol. I wonder if all those years as a bass player in a crappy high school band has killed my hearing, because I just couldn't deal with a bike with mufflers. All I can say is you guys are more than welcome to your 3-5 horsepower, I have to have a bike that makes noise. Oh, I'm a state troopers dream.
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 334
Likes: 3
From: Romeo, MI
I just couldn't take it any more! I recently swapped out my drag pipes for a 2 into 1 system and couldn't decide what pipe to finish it off with. I chose the shark tail muffler in my Sig pic. But even after knocking the stuffing out of the thing, it was just TOO QUIET! I see so many of you guys running big mufflers and I commend you for your choice, but man O man, I just couldn't take it. I had to ditch the thing and install a straight through fishtail...... I'm a state troopers dream....
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
It could be an age thing. I rode with drags for over thirty years then about ten years ago the noise just started getting on my nerves, especially riding around town. Nowadays I prefer a lower freq. rumble as opposed to the high freq. "blat" of drags.
I have no desire however to support any ruling that would force riders to a maximum db level but I fear that as the numbers grow the non-riding public may insist on it and, if history is any indicator, it will be a PITA for most of us.
I have no desire however to support any ruling that would force riders to a maximum db level but I fear that as the numbers grow the non-riding public may insist on it and, if history is any indicator, it will be a PITA for most of us.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,013
Likes: 1
From: New Brunswick, C-eh-n-eh-d-eh
my 883custom has screamin eagle slip ons. They were on it when I bought it. Baffles had been removed. I upgraded the breather, rejetted the carb which added a bit more volume. I get compliments on the Harley sound. I think it is borderline on the scale of "just right-obnoxious". I have heard louder on other bikes, some dare I say that are not even Harleys!!! It is just right for me and music to my ears. I have test ridden new models and they are super quiet. Not for me.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Out on Deranged
dude It is your bike and your pocketbook! I have to opt for the fine line between deep hungry sound and and not scareing people as I ride down a street! My bub 7 2/1 is now equipped with a Q-baffle which I knocked a 3/8ths hole in the center of. Most people love it, however when @ idle is quite tame.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,919
Likes: 23
From: Seattle, WA
Neil - I like the sound of the fishtail ...!
* * *
For a while I was using a modded exhaust that sounded pretty good at idle ... but really ratcheted up the volume as the throttle grip was twisted .... Got to be problematic for me when cruising at freeway speed ... gave me a freakin' headache anytime I would ride for any distance at 70+ MPH .... [Felt like I was risking hearing damage when I forgot to put in my ear plugs ....]
After installing my big bore kit, and installing the Paughco 22" goose cut muffler (which doesn't muffle a whole lot) ... it seemed to have more 'presence' at idle and lower RPMs ... but, also does not irritate me at higher RPMs now ... best of both worlds ....
I think the comment about increasing the motor's throughput is spot on ... as far as putting out a little more volume at baseline/idle ....
R/
'Chop
* * *
For a while I was using a modded exhaust that sounded pretty good at idle ... but really ratcheted up the volume as the throttle grip was twisted .... Got to be problematic for me when cruising at freeway speed ... gave me a freakin' headache anytime I would ride for any distance at 70+ MPH .... [Felt like I was risking hearing damage when I forgot to put in my ear plugs ....]
After installing my big bore kit, and installing the Paughco 22" goose cut muffler (which doesn't muffle a whole lot) ... it seemed to have more 'presence' at idle and lower RPMs ... but, also does not irritate me at higher RPMs now ... best of both worlds ....
I think the comment about increasing the motor's throughput is spot on ... as far as putting out a little more volume at baseline/idle ....
R/
'Chop
Last edited by SURFOR Chop; Feb 1, 2011 at 08:28 AM.
