Exhaust Question
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 114
Likes: 4
From: Sachse, TX
Exhaust Question
I recently took posession of an '84 wide glide. It runs fine (as far as I can tell anyway). I'm pretty sure the engine/air cleaner/exhaust is stock. My question is if I put on some aftermarket pipes, do I need to do anything with the carb? I'm mostly interested in sound.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 692
Likes: 34
From: Texas
Exhaust, fuel and air intake are all part of the same equation. Making changes in your exhaust - say more free flowing - would require improved air flow and fuel flow at the carb (and possibly changes in your timing).
The result will be a smoother, happier engine (and it will sound better, too).
When you do your exhaust, plan on adding a high-flow air breather at the same time. See how it runs.
What type of carb are you using?
The result will be a smoother, happier engine (and it will sound better, too).
When you do your exhaust, plan on adding a high-flow air breather at the same time. See how it runs.
What type of carb are you using?
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 114
Likes: 4
From: Sachse, TX
I'm pretty sure the carb is stock. Forgive my ignorance on this, but the service manual calls it "Keihin Carburetor" (1981 and Later). It gives no model number. That diagram looks like what I have. i can't figure out how to copy and paste it.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 692
Likes: 34
From: Texas
Don't know about the stock carbs. My shovel had a S&S which I promptly swapped out for a CV carb. I was just curious, plus it provides more information for the more knowledgeable on this forum to parse.
The change over to the CV was one of top three upgrades.
Even still, I would imagine if you go to a more open exhaust you will need to re-jet the carb and going to a high-flow air breather is just a wise thing.
The change over to the CV was one of top three upgrades.
Even still, I would imagine if you go to a more open exhaust you will need to re-jet the carb and going to a high-flow air breather is just a wise thing.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2009
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I dont know how your bike is set up but sometimes changeing to a more open or straight pipe on a stock engine you lose back pressure and u have lose of low end tork and power but it will give you a much louder bike. I would do some homework on exhaust before I spent the money
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,106
Likes: 51,387
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Shovels like 40" straight pipes and run rather well with them evo's and twinkies don't , it's all in the flow dynamics . Less restrictive air cleaner is a must and the stock side draft carb with a few simple cheap tweaks can give very good performance on a stock motor , S&S is a want for bragging rights for most guys on a stock bike there is no gain I went through it too . Post the configuration and com combination you want and I'll tell what works best with it , been doing shovels every way you can for a LONG time .
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 114
Likes: 4
From: Sachse, TX
Thanks for the replies. Twizted, I don't know much of anything about what's available for this bike. Based on your experience and knowledge, do you have any personal favorite setups? I'm open to any suggestions.
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Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,106
Likes: 51,387
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Cycle Shack makes about the best performing & fitting pipe for a stock shovel out there , personal favorite is the tapered end pipes over the turnout or slash cuts . Early 80's there where several big name mags did the whole performance pipe showdown for shovels and the Cycle Shack pipes places just a hair behind the 3 or 4 times more expensive big name pipe makers in HP to the ground on real life bikes not the hopped up test queens used today for these things . They make a good deep rumble too out of the box but I have been known to take a long pointed 1/2" or larger rod and open up the baffle holes a bit on them for a bit more bark . 
You can run drags but you'll catch hell for them sooner or later if you out around town much with them , John Q Law is starting to come down on loud pipes around here and they are LOUD your ears won't care for it long either .
The good old teardrop air cleaner / filter looks great and cleans up the side of the bike very nicely and your air flows increased a good percentage too .
Give me an idea of what you really what to do with her and I'll point the way I know works best for the money .
You can run drags but you'll catch hell for them sooner or later if you out around town much with them , John Q Law is starting to come down on loud pipes around here and they are LOUD your ears won't care for it long either .
The good old teardrop air cleaner / filter looks great and cleans up the side of the bike very nicely and your air flows increased a good percentage too .
Give me an idea of what you really what to do with her and I'll point the way I know works best for the money .
Last edited by TwiZted Biker; Aug 9, 2011 at 08:24 PM.
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