DIY Cheap Mods
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 35
Likes: 1
From:
RE: DIY Cheap Mods
OK, here's my easy way to make performance exhaust with your stock muffles. \\; I have an 07 Night Train and was shopping for aftermarket exhaust upgrade because I just didn't have the sound and performance I wanted...from a Harley.
 \\;
I started by taking my mufflers off and punching the center baffle disk out...sounded good but didn't make the rumble I was looking for.
 \\;
After studing the construction of the muffler, I took a dremel and cutter wheel, from the aft end of the pipe, I cut around about 1/4 to 3/8 inch forward from the aft tip. \\; Then I took a punch bar, stuck it in the forward end and gave it a couple of taps and the whole baffle assembly slid right out the back. \\; Installed them back on the bike and cranked her up and blew the fiber glass out.
 \\;
I got the deep throaty sound I was looking for and I've ran her for about 750 miles and have noticable throttle reaction when I get on it and the fuel economy and engine running seem to be fine. \\; It doesn't miss, spit or backfire.
 \\;
Ride on
 \\;
I started by taking my mufflers off and punching the center baffle disk out...sounded good but didn't make the rumble I was looking for.
 \\;
After studing the construction of the muffler, I took a dremel and cutter wheel, from the aft end of the pipe, I cut around about 1/4 to 3/8 inch forward from the aft tip. \\; Then I took a punch bar, stuck it in the forward end and gave it a couple of taps and the whole baffle assembly slid right out the back. \\; Installed them back on the bike and cranked her up and blew the fiber glass out.
 \\;
I got the deep throaty sound I was looking for and I've ran her for about 750 miles and have noticable throttle reaction when I get on it and the fuel economy and engine running seem to be fine. \\; It doesn't miss, spit or backfire.
 \\;
Ride on
Advanced
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: Williamsville, IL
RE: DIY Cheap Mods
Anyone have any good ideas on how to decrease friction between my grip and handlebars? \\; I have chrome spike grips that look great but the metal of the grips and the handlebars don't allow for a smooth throttle action. \\; Kinda noisy too, when the grips starts squeaking. \\; I've looked at the roller bearing kits that stick in the end of the handlebar, but they require cutting .5" of the bar off. \\; Just wondering if there are any better ways to tackle the issue. \\; Thanks.
Thread Starter
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May our Moderator Rest in Peace
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,386
Likes: 35
From: Rochester, NY
RE: DIY Cheap Mods
You might try to find some Teflon sheet, Teflon coated plastic sheet material or even nylon sheets.
You could slip a piece of that rolled to fit inside the grip and get it to stop sticking and making rattling noises.
You could slip a piece of that rolled to fit inside the grip and get it to stop sticking and making rattling noises.
Intermediate
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
RE: DIY Cheap Mods
Any one got a suggestions for making the ugly stock bolts all over the bike look better particularly the ones on the engine.
 \\;
I was thinking about getting some Black hottoppers, but a. they are expensive, and b. the look to be a gloss black from what I can tell and want them to match the wrinkle black paint on the engine case that is on the (07 FXSTC and I assume many others), that way they kind of disappear. Then do some kind of chrome look to the ones that bolt on chrome parts.
 \\;
 \\;
I was thinking about getting some Black hottoppers, but a. they are expensive, and b. the look to be a gloss black from what I can tell and want them to match the wrinkle black paint on the engine case that is on the (07 FXSTC and I assume many others), that way they kind of disappear. Then do some kind of chrome look to the ones that bolt on chrome parts.
 \\;
Thread Starter
|
May our Moderator Rest in Peace
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,386
Likes: 35
From: Rochester, NY
RE: DIY Cheap Mods
Have you considered trying some Rust-O-Leum wrinkle black paint?
Be simple and cheap, might not match perfectly, but be a lot better than the cad plated junk that's on there now.
Be simple and cheap, might not match perfectly, but be a lot better than the cad plated junk that's on there now.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,797
Likes: 0
From: NH
RE: DIY Cheap Mods
ORIGINAL: HD32
Anyone have any good ideas on how to decrease friction between my grip and handlebars? \\;\\\\\\; I have chrome spike grips that look great but the metal of the grips and the handlebars don't allow for a smooth throttle action. \\;\\\\\\; Kinda noisy too, when the grips starts squeaking. \\;\\\\\\; I've looked at the roller bearing kits that stick in the end of the handlebar, but they require cutting .5" of the bar off. \\;\\\\\\; Just wondering if there are any better ways to tackle the issue. \\;\\\\\\; Thanks.
Anyone have any good ideas on how to decrease friction between my grip and handlebars? \\;\\\\\\; I have chrome spike grips that look great but the metal of the grips and the handlebars don't allow for a smooth throttle action. \\;\\\\\\; Kinda noisy too, when the grips starts squeaking. \\;\\\\\\; I've looked at the roller bearing kits that stick in the end of the handlebar, but they require cutting .5" of the bar off. \\;\\\\\\; Just wondering if there are any better ways to tackle the issue. \\;\\\\\\; Thanks.
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 253
Likes: 3
RE: DIY Cheap Mods
I've got one if you have a tombstone light out back. \\; I hated the way the liscense plate just stood straight up, especially when I put on the solo seat and had a bare rear fender. \\; A piece of aluminum flat stock from Home Depot and some bolts were all the supplies I needed to make a new bracket for mounting the plate. \\; I just bent it to the angle I liked, drilled some holes, and installed it. \\; I'll probably get around at some point to ordering the nice chrome piece that they sell to do the same job, but for now it's doing the job...
