Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Exhaust exhaust

Just drilled two half inch holes in each side of my stock BA exhaust baffle plates. Breaths a little better, not much louder and I could feel a bit more power . Rode about 20 miles today felt good. May not need to change my main jets.

Get a few more miles on it and look at your sparkplugs. They seldom lie about jetting.

Marko, how do you like the new "tone"? Did the holes you made make a difference there? I took out the tube with mikesr's hole saw and wow, it really made a difference and it is NOT too loud, I may even go a little further with holes in teh second baffle this spring when I get a chance to ride it and see what it really sounds like.
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I also drilled 2 half inch holes in my pipes but was dissapointed in the sound. Had a weird put-put-put sound so I finally let go of some cash and ordered the Specialty Spares long slash cuts....Unbelievable difference. They have a low resonant tone thats not too loud when your cruising through the neigborhood but really open up when you get on the throttle! Had to rejet to #130s.

Hey Marko,
I had the short off roads on my bike for a long time. Got tired of the blap,blap,blap sound and missed all that chrome on the rear end. I sprang for a new set of long stock Speedmasters on ebay for 99 cents (+ $20 shipping). I started like you did and drilled a half inch hole in the front baffle plate, then ground out the rear plate and yanked the little tube out from the next plate, and ground out that second plate from the end. I ended up drilling a 3/4 in hole in the remaining four plates (all the way through). They sound really good, and I rejetted up to 138s, now back to 132 mains and stock 42 pilots. Runs out great and and deep throaty rumble (still relatively quiet too). If I can get the money soon, I'll be ordering the SpecialtySpares Long Cannons - I love the sound of "ssjones" bike.

Just got back from 150 mile ride spark plugs light brown/tan ran great. There is a little difference in sound. You can hear the bike from inside the house (i am being told) no balh no pop. Still wants to breath more. I will keep it like this for a while
I used to ride the 72 tiger 650 open pipes. I do miss that sweet sound. Dont know if that old triumph sound can be replacated with the BA. Here in PA state inspection demands some baffle.