Mufflers de-cat-ed
wow was going to ride to Edmonton this summer after fires cool down Not now...tanks for that tidbit
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Road Captain
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From: Utopia
I've drilled a 6mm hole through the baffle, using a 400mm long HSS shuttering drill bit. If you want the hole in the middle, I'd suggest inserting a thick-walled pipe first and then drilling through that, otherwise the sharp end of the drill skates around and you can't see/control it. Some people suggest a hole will whistle or hiss, but it doesn't. I think I'll quit now while I'm ahead.
Last edited by bustergut; May 25, 2023 at 03:20 PM.
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2014
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From: Utopia
The de-cat-ed stock H-D mufflers turned out way too quiet for me, so I've gone back to the V&H Straightshots HS #16827. I pounded out the V&H Quiet Baffles #21869/21301 using a vice and a piece of wood.
Beware this guy on YouTube has not been able to get the baffles out of his V&H Big Shots:
I purchased V&H Super Q Quiet Baffles #21912 and installed them with Copaslip high-temperature anti-seize.
The V&H mounting bolt setup shown in my photo above is fiendishly difficult to get back onto the motorcycle. I tried serrated flange bolts and serrated flange nuts, but even that is difficult. So I'm going to try to make 3 of double-nut plates from 45mm x 20mm x 6mm flat bar using a 1/4-20 UNC tap.
I plan to send the de-cat-ed stock H-D mufflers to American Custom Exhaust Systems in CT in July for modification. At present their website has an Out-Of-Office notice until mid-June.
Beware this guy on YouTube has not been able to get the baffles out of his V&H Big Shots:
I purchased V&H Super Q Quiet Baffles #21912 and installed them with Copaslip high-temperature anti-seize.
The V&H mounting bolt setup shown in my photo above is fiendishly difficult to get back onto the motorcycle. I tried serrated flange bolts and serrated flange nuts, but even that is difficult. So I'm going to try to make 3 of double-nut plates from 45mm x 20mm x 6mm flat bar using a 1/4-20 UNC tap.
I plan to send the de-cat-ed stock H-D mufflers to American Custom Exhaust Systems in CT in July for modification. At present their website has an Out-Of-Office notice until mid-June.
Last edited by bustergut; Jun 7, 2023 at 01:19 PM.
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 516
Likes: 109
From: Utopia
I purchased V&H Super Q Quiet Baffles #21912 and installed them with Copaslip high-temperature anti-seize.
The V&H mounting bolt setup shown in my photo above is fiendishly difficult to get back onto the motorcycle. I tried serrated flange bolts and serrated flange nuts, but even that is difficult.
The V&H mounting bolt setup shown in my photo above is fiendishly difficult to get back onto the motorcycle. I tried serrated flange bolts and serrated flange nuts, but even that is difficult.
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2014
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From: Utopia
Nut plates, still to be trimmed. Mufflers bought from auto salvage, their remains are now at metal recycling.
Serrated flange nuts removed and replaced by nut plates. Serrated flange nuts have to be held with a wrench, but nut plates can't turn and therefore you only need one wrench for the bolts. Much easier, especially if your wrench is flexi-head ratchet.
Khrome Werks mufflers come with captive nuts, much more user-friendly than these V&H.
Last edited by bustergut; Jun 16, 2023 at 09:30 AM.
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Road Captain
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From: Utopia
I then drilled through the stock H-D baffles "full bore" using a 25mm holesaw = too loud (surprise surprise). This is looking from the engine end, and it is visible only because I previously removed the cat.
A tuner once told me: "You can't put the s**t back in the dog." but nevertheless I'm trying this: The 25mm screw plugs are from steel electrical conduit. I've drilled a 8mm hole through them. Exhaust pressure is closing, not opening. These have now become my 'tuning plugs'!
Last edited by bustergut; Jun 23, 2023 at 06:58 AM.
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2014
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From: Utopia
It's a work in progress. The hole can be drilled larger, or the plug beaten out with a piece of wood and replaced. 1" = 25mm = full bore with no plug, already tried and a bit too loud for me.
Last edited by bustergut; Jun 25, 2023 at 12:49 AM.
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