Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Exhaust removal of 1st baffle factory exhaust

I have read that a few guys have removed the first baffle I assume this is in the front of the exhaust pipe,correct?
also is this an easy way to increase power without sacrificing low end torque?how easy is this. I just bought a 2007 america "sweet"

I "gutted" all three stages of baffle on my '06 America. The added power response is shocking. I didn't even re-jet. I took the stock muffler and cut it in half, popped out all three baffles. Then, I removed about 8" of the main muffled pipe and clamped the stock muffler tip end back with a stainless strap from a trucking company. It is just so good to me. I like the volume, and the added power. I plan more changes, and I look to save money, always.

First baffle when going in from the rear of the pipe (looking in from as if you were standing behind it. If you choose to remove them all be sure to leave the reducer cone in the header end, you need that for back pressure.

i just removed 1st baffle on both pipes today, took about 1.5-2 hrs.It is baffle at end of pipe take hole saw drill around inner tube, push tube to side and go around using long screwdriver as chisel and free tube from inner bracket, pull out tube and chisel around plate but only go 2-3 mm from edge of bracket because you can damage mesh inside. Easy i had triumph short offroads pipes, i like the sound of this better

oh yeah sounds good but not annoyingly loud

Hmmmm, lemme get this straight,
I get a hole saw big enough to fit over the little tube at the end of my stock pipe. Then use a cold chisel or somthing and start whacking and smacking until I can remove a big enough piece of somthing and now I say I've
got the first baffle out. I'm a little hesitant to start banging on my new bike with a hammer so tell me a little more please,
A baffle looks like a soup can with holes in it right?
Does it come out in one piece?
Does loose packing stuff come out with it?
Is it welded in there?
I can take out one now and more later if I like?
You do take the pipes off the bike to this?
Sounds simple enough, what could go wrong? Think of a long haired redneck holding a hammer.

The early way of doing it was using the Hole Saw that was being shipped around by then mikesr (I think he changed his name though) Drilled right around the first baffle at the end of the muffle (rear) with an 1.5" hole saw. I personally then drilled 3 1/2" holes in the second baffle plate. This left me with a very nice sound. 12,000 miles later it sounds sweet.

Made alterations in the air box to accommodate the modification of the exhaust.

Did my Speedy today. Couldn't find a hole saw long enough to fit over the the small pipe (I assume it's the baffle). I just used a 1/4 inch drill bit and drilled holes all around it as close together as I could. I placed the holes about half way between the baffle and the exhaust wall. Then I took a pliers to the baffle and rocked it back and forth until it broke free. I then used a circular rasp to enlarge the hole and make it smooth.

I bought the circular rasp at Home depot. It's round, about the size of a wine cork with rough edges like a file. It has a shaft like a drill bit. Put it in your drill and go to town. Took about an hour total.

I just took out the first baffle and it sounded fine to me. I think I will ride it awhile before I consider removing any more.

The whole thing was much easier then I imagined so go to it.

more info, correct you drill around tube until your thru. there is a plate on inside about 6 inches or so down the other end where it is welded to in 2 spots. You can wiggle, wiggle until it comes free or that is when i took long screwdriver and hit it through bracket around tube to break it free. After tube is removed the rest of bracket is still there minus center, so i took screwdriver and went around edges about 2-3 mm from edge so i dont hit screen inside. it is very easy job,Even a caveman can do it

Any cavemen in the Cleveland Ohio area that might have done it? All this banging, drilling, and hammering makes me nervous.

If possible could someone post a step by step picture guide for removing the baffle process. I really am a see then do kind of student. just can't wrap my brain around only reading about the process.

I'm with wildman - I'd like to do this as well, but having just had my bike for about a month I'm a bit hesitant to start whacking at things.

Anyone out here in SoCal that might be able to help?
I've been told by the local dealer that they're no longer installing aftermarket pipes b/c of emissions issues - they're not allowed to do it anymore.

Guys - got any pictures you can post on these mods? Hard to picture it in mind just reading text... 1000 words and all.

About to get a new Triumph as first timer, and looking into good, simple mods. Your posts sound good.

THANKS

I should do this to the pipes on both sides of my TBA, correct?

YES, never do one side differently than the other, you would have different back pressure on each side throwing off performance.

Question: is "re-jetting" necessary with just the first baffle removed? (Honestly I don't even know what re-jetting is...)

I didnt re-jet after removing the first baffle, the bike ran fine still. I'm gonna re-jet my bike this weekend cos i've got the freak and some TOR's to put on.

To be honest, i didnt notice much change after removing the first baffle and drilling the second (a little bit noisier).

Crikey....PT you are making me feel like I know what I'm talking about.....

I've taken out the rear most baffle on both my bikes, I work far too late at night to have anything much louder than that. Didn't even take the pipes off to do it. And neither are re-jetted. And run perfectly fine in my opinion.
Re-jetting means changing the jets in the carbs. Change the jets = change the amount of fuel that gets through. Put really simply of course...

Oh and for those who have no idea...

Read this. This is Matt's (Sandmann) page and helped me to understand what's in an exhaust. All I did was take out the last baffle, he talks about having other mods to the stock pipes.

Hi Guys, I am new to this blogging deal and have had my America for 8 months and thoroughly enjoying it.
Just completed removal of the 1st baffle, thanks to all the advice you guys post on this site. Now I have an America that sound like a Trumpy instead of a sewing machine.

Uh you know there is another baffle, right? I probably could have saved some money if I had done the same thing. Don't like the long pipe look though. Good luck o you next mod.

Well, I'm right in the middle of this, and it's true, this is a lot easier than it seems. I got a 1.5" hole saw, but it was just a bit too big. The 1-3/8" I bought seemed to fit a lot better. But now I'm trying to figure out how to get the baffle out. I don't seem to have a screw driver long enough to get all the way down. Does anyone know how far in I have to go to make contact with the plate? The longest screwdriver I have is just about 6" and it doesn't seem to be contacting anything.Thanks for all the tips so far. If you have any more for chiseling the baffle out, please post them.

Danny

You should rejet after removing 1 baffle or at least keep an eye on the bike for a bit depending on your location. These bikes come lean from the factory and should at the very least be re-adjusted right out of the box.

I used an inch and three quarter metal hole drill straight through the rearmost baffle on my shortie TORs.
Literally takes a few seconds per side.
Pull out the wadding inside.
No re-jetting required, sounds nice without p!ssing too many people off.

I used a normal dril, and made a series of holes to take out the baffle, then dremmels out the rest.

No re jetting needed on either bike. And MOT passable too.

A dangerously lean bike will run great but not for long or as long as a properly jetted bike.