Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Exhaust toning down.... don't wanna, but

Well, as mentioned in the Valpo thread for upcoming rides I went yesterday and had a great time with the boys even though the show kinda sucked. Coming back though was a bit of a pain. Just outside of the downtown area I smell rain, and see the lightening... uh oh, caught in a downpour. Traffic is stop and go and I'm getting soaked so I exit as soon as possible and get downtown under a overpass, um by the Greyhound station no less... that's another story in itself, interesting group of people those bus travelers. Anyway, hang out for awhile, had a smoke or two waiting for the rain to pass. After about 45 minutes things look good so I start it up and head out.... two minutes later I got the blue lights on behind me. You guys ever ride between skyscrapers in a basically deserted downtown? The sound bounces off EVERYTHING and then multiplies by ten it would seem. Thus the being pulled over, after checking all my papers and listening to my story it would seem I was fortunate enough to have been stopped by one of the few decent cops and he let me go with a warning. Seems there is a bit of action going on in the city to do away with loud pipes. Personally I don't think it is really going to be enforceable but while they're trying I need to figure out someway to tone the pipes down. I have straight through drags with a built in baffle as such to create some backpressure. Problem is my pipes are double-walled and even though I could push a baffle into the inner pipe I don't have a way to attach it. I suppose I could reach down in there and throw a tack weld on the edges but not sure I wanna do that. I'm not even sure one of those aftermarket baffles would even do the trick. Anyone recommend any specific baffle that they know works? Longer ones better than shorter ones? If they fit tight will cured RTV hold them in? Any suggestions?
I guess another option would be different pipes, even though the Epcos and Bubs are loud I'd have to say they are definitely quieter than my drag pipes. Anybody got a set they want to let go for a good deal.... maybe even do a trade of some kind?
Oh on a good note, got home, wet and dirty but as FedEx said there was my windshield sitting at the front door. NOW it shows up!....lol

what drag pipes on what bike?

If you decide to sell them (if you get some SS or something) I'll buy/trade you for them ... let me know

Hi Glazer,
There is some decent temporary help. Get some stainless steel scrub buds (like brillo pads, but not like steel wool). Maybe copper ones will work too, but they are both cheap. You can get 6 at WalMart for a couple bucks.
Shove 3 into each pipe and secure with something like a spring hose clamp that will fit inside your pipes. The scrub buds will blow to the rear of your pipes under hard acceleration, but keeping the trottle moderate they should stay in place. When you aren't in the city, run a small rod up your pipe with a slight hook on the end to slide them out. I have two in each of my pipes to tone them down a little and provide a little back pressure.
Ride Safe,
Dennis

I thought steel woll was flamable when heat is applied?

Ben

Yeah Ben, run of the mill steel wool will go POOF in a heartbeat.... Dennis was talking about stainless steel scrubbies or even copper ones. Think if I go that route I will definitely put the Bic lighter to one first to see what it does. Interesting idea Dennis.... thanks! You did give me an idea though. If I can find a long baffle that I can put a wrap of fiberglass on then one of those snap ring/retainer clips type things might hold it in. Either that or the next time some azz is parked on my tail at the light I can blip the throttle hard and shoot 'em through his grill.....lol

what about buy some insulation at home depot, the fibre glass stuff and wrap it with say chicken wire and create your own baffle?

I found myself in downtown Charlotte NC round 9pm last week. I was thinking that I may get some blue lights in response to my Sceptres bouncing off the concrete mountains too. Whew. I didn't but I know where you are coming from. Good luck with it and keep us posted as others would like to know about a non-invasive soultion. Maybe even, hum, member Biker too?! Hey Ed, can you hear me now? Cause I sure can hear you!

I would not worry about it.You will probably never get stopped again.If you see a police just short shift it. Al

Quote:

---

I would not worry about it.You will probably never get stopped again.If you see a police just short shift it.

---

You have no idea how OFTEN I do that...lol I can't go to or from work without crossing paths with at least a dozen patrol cars. I work in a very industrial area of the city. Alot of buildings that were vacated by manufacturers have been turned into very high end lofts, so these people and the ones that live downtown are apparently hounding their aldermen to do something about not just the loud pipes but the cars with subwoofers from hell as well.
Anyway, my pipes have a 1 5/8" inner pipe so I couldn't find any ready made baffles to fit. Went to several muffler shops..... lord, I even drew pictures and could not get anyone to cop onto what it is I wanted made. The only one that seemed to have a clue wanted to redesign my entire exhaust system. Soooooo, I ended up making my own. Cut a couple of pieces of 1 1/4" pipe 12" long. Took the plasma cutter to them and cut horseshoe shapes into them and pounded them inward. Cut the ends like you would a pizza, and then flared them out to just slightly larger than my exhaust pipes. Bought a 8 dollar package of fiberglass, wrapped it around them and pounded them into the ends of the mufflers. Huge difference, really took the edge off the sound. I can idle down my street without car alarms blipping at me but if I jump on it it still rattles all the windows for blocks....lol

I was just looking at your pics in the gallery and those pipes look great. What brand are those?

Thanks Jim, hmmm, no "brand" really. I bought them on Ebay from a guy (actually lives in your neck of the woods, Bay Shore, NY) that makes them. He does a really nice job with them and can configure them anyway you want. Mine have no baffles in them, only a "star" configuration to provide some back pressure. The no baffle situation ended up giving me a bit of a prob with local noise cops, but got that taken care of. I know he can make them with removable baffles and if I was to do it over again that is the way I would go.
Anyway his name is Frank, wife is Delores and they told me to feel free and put their number out there for people to contact them. Real nice people and I wouldn't hesitate for a minute to buy from them again. Their number is 631-666-2632.

Frank,
Thanks for the info. Does he have a web address? If not what name does he go under on E-bay?
Again great lookin pipes.

BTW- what did you do to tone them down?