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Loud Pipes Save Lives!!

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I am now content with the sound of my Harley.

I put a pair Screaming Eagle II slip-ons on last year, and while it was louder, and performance was OK, I took the advice of a friend who works for Harley in Milwaukee -

"knock the baffles clean out."

So I did. Drilled out the one pop rivet, and out they came.

Nice and loud. Nice crackling when I let off the throttle without backfiring, or that nasty growling like with an S&S carb and straight pipes. And she doesn't hesitate or spit back through the carb like she used to.

The great part is, I set car alarms off in parking lots all the time now!

SWEET!!!!

Easy Does It

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yeah, I have the same pipes on mine and am happy with the sound plus I don't have to worry about cops and muffler checks at rallies or on the way to them. But I do know what sound your talking about and it's SWAAAAAAEEEET;)
"It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required"
Some people dream about flying, I live my dream
SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING

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I'm thinking anti-lock brakes might be more effective.

Like on my Bimmer....

(Caution flamers: Sangiro rides BMW with anti-lock:P)

Plus there's that whole power and handling thing without having to spend a zillion dollars on the aftermarket.

But, yeah, I'll never know the thrill of setting off car alarms with a good revB|. My life is so empty.....B|

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The great part is, I set car alarms off in parking lots all the time now!
_____________________

and piss people off who hate bikes which encourages them to vote for all manner of stupid laws on motorcycles - such as trying to ban all motorcycles in part of downtown chicago a couple of years ago. It didn't last but only because a road that went through it was federal highway and therefor that was not allowed. also, since the number one situation for motorcycle accidents that involved cars was a car turning left in front of a bike, and loud pipes will not save you at all.

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since the number one situation for motorcycle accidents that involved cars was a car turning left in front of a bike, and loud pipes will not save you at all.



(Please note- This is not a personal jab, attack, or anything like that!)

[Dennis Leary mode] That's why I get really defensive when I get on the bike - As soon as I'm in the saddle, I automatically assume everyone in a car/truck/suv/whatever is an asshole hellbent on running my ass over. I love these cagers that say "I didn't see him". My bike weighs 500 pounds, and I'm another 180. That's damn near seven hundred pounds of mass, sparky!! How can you miss that? Maybe if these folks would get the damn cellphone out of thier ear, put down the Times, or whatever they're reading when they're supposed to be watching the road, and remember how to use a frigging turn signal once in a while, folks like me wouldn't have to worry about becoming a hood oranment on some yuppies' Land Rover.
I like loud pipes because they're just that - Loud.
I don't wear a helmet, either. Don't like 'em, and I don't like people who try to protect me from myself. [/Dennis Leary mode]

Gee- That was fun!

Easy Does It

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Loud Pipes Save Lives



ya know what too... speed can save you also... i've almost been merged into like 5 times and all i had to do was hit the throttle and rocket in front of em.... or hit the brakes and watch em go by me.... (with enough clerance in front or back of course) if not i'd drive on the breakdown lane....... the one and only reason i don't like nor will not ever ride a harley is thier sound..... i hate that shit when i'm in my car with the windows rolled up and the radio on and the harley that is 100 ft in front of me can be heard(loudly)... but then again i'm the same way with peoples stereos and the bass they put out......or the moron on a crotch rocket racing his engine at a stop light to red line also... i like to be sociably to others....

______________________________________
"i have no reader's digest version"

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Oh yeah- I've had quite a few people try to merge into my ass. But don't get me wrong - I'll pull into the passing lane when I see some one coming down an entrance ramp - I'm cool that way. But when a two-lane is merging into a single lane, and you've got this one Lexus-driving moron who HAS to get in front of you, no matter what, THOSE guys I show no quater. They can eat the shoulder for driving like that. And I'm a complete highway asshole sometimes - I can't stand that loud thumping bass shit, so I retaliate with loud pipes. I don't wear a helmet on the bike, I wear seatbelts, and a helmet when I jump. I ride wearing jeans and boots, no helmet, and a black t-shirt.
I can't stand crotch rockets - they're just statistics waiting to happen, and some of the worst, irresponsible riders I have ever seen. I think the dumbest thing (now keep in mind helmets are optional here in Illinois-) is a kid on a riceburner, in shorts, a dago-T, sandals, AND A HELMET, riding like he's at Laguna.
That's like the fat lady who orders a triple cheeseburger, double onion rings and diet coke, and says, "I'm on a diet".

Easy Does It

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I can't stand Harley's! Loud, setting off car alarms, scaring little old ladies, snobby bastards won't even wave at other bikes. I think they're like Saturn owners...

And really! All those dentists going through a midlife crisis... paying twice as much for somthing to last half as long, and then having to spend half their paycheck every week on Hardly Branded material. And most of them ride around with their loafers, kahki shorts, and a wife-beater on - they look ridiculous! Oh, and don't forget the required Harley tatoo - that just screams "I'm a badass!" And I'm pretty sure it's against some sacred oath to wear a helmet on a Harely - I think it's because they want everyone to see exactly who this bad ass is.... and wearing a helmet just wouldn't be 'cool' and any other type of protective gear would just default the whole badass image -- and that's the only real reason to own a harely, is for the look.
it's like incest - you're substituting convenience for quality

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not to be a dick, but for years that was countrered with "load pipes risk rights" ( I believe pretty much all 2001 issues of AMA had that campaign slogan ) ...

Don't take me wrong, loud pipes rule, but just like some of the other posts, I prefer better tires, ABS, and other BMW ameneties :)

peace

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Around here, the quote is "loud pipes get removed".



around here trying to remove someone's pipes might get your head removed...



Yeah, here too. Never a lack of excitement. Watched a massive street brawl between a group of Irish and group of blacks last night down in S. Philly. No shots fired, I was suprised.

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While "simply knocking the baffles" out of your slip-ons will certainly make your skoot louder, you pay the price by losing a ton of bottom-end torque. Smarter business would be to buy a REAL set of pipes that sound good AND give you more power. I guess it all depends what you want your motorcycle to do. I laugh at the masses who waste their money on fat Samson pipes and especially old "fifty dollar drag pipes." Pulling the baffles out of fat drag pipes is incredibly stupid on the performance side; your bike NEEDS back pressure.

Personally, I have been running Bubs "Bad Dogs" two into two performance pipes for the past seven years. They rule in terms of real power production. Vance and Hines Pro Pipes make equal power, but they are incredibly ungainly and drag on everything when you turn right. Hooker makes a totally tunable two into one that makes great power as well, but I am still a total ThunderHeader fan when it comes to two into one pipes. Incredible sound AND fantastic performance.

My sled:
87 FXLR, boyce Pro Street engine offset kit and wide swingarm, currently running a 190 out back, 10,000 pound Tsubaki racing chain cause I ain't no poseur with a fat tire and a skinny belt. Still only a 30-over 80-incher, but Tilley heads shaved .070, Manley Black Diamond valves, Keith Black 10,5:1's up top. Super E with a Thunderjet, Crane Hi-4 race ignition, Bub Bad Dogs, Andrews first and third gears, Barnett Brute Force clutch with steel hub, M6 tensioner. I ain't sucking. Very, very low; quite long with a 38 degree rake and a 2001 springer front end; very fast.

Chuck

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The great part is, I set car alarms off in parking lots all the time now!



:S Why is there no eye-rolling smiley?

As for loud pipes...whatever. I'm in the "they piss non-bikers off enough to hate all motorcyclists so they try to take away our rights" camp.

s'okay, though, I'm sure you'll appreciate your loud pipes when you're broken down on the side of the road and I pass you at 120.... ;););)

And loud pipes are no match for good defensive driving skills.

Shit, people on cell phones in their hermetically-sealed SUVs can't hear trains at crossings, what makes you think they'll hear you?

Man, I sure had a great time last weekend, walking down Cannery Row in Monterey and seeing nothing but sport bikes lining both sides of the street. A sort of "anti-Daytona", if you will. One guy rode down the street on his Harley with loud pipes, and all he got were disdainful looks. :ph34r:

Gimme the growl of a Ducati over loud Harley pipes any day!
Never meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup!

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Just remember to take it in and have it Dyno tested so they can make sure the air fuel ratio is correct or you may cause problems in the future (yes I know what I am talking about). The carb may need to be re-jetted again(I assume you did that when you put the pipes on the first time). and Congrats...nothing sounds better than a Harley when it's running right

Don´t belive the hype

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My sled:
87 FXLR, boyce Pro Street engine offset kit and wide swingarm, currently running a 190 out back, 10,000 pound Tsubaki racing chain cause I ain't no poseur with a fat tire and a skinny belt.
_________________________________

Chuck, I don't think anyone here thinks you're a poseur. Although I have been to a number of Harley rallies awhile ago, and there were plenty there.

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I'm thinking anti-lock brakes might be more effective.

Like on my Bimmer....

(Caution flamers: Sangiro rides BMW with anti-lockTongue)

Plus there's that whole power and handling thing without having to spend a zillion dollars on the aftermarket.
_____________________________

Yup, those ABS do come in handy, I've got a Bimmer too, R1150 GS. Decent power and great handling.

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setting off car alarms was & is one of my favorite past times... full Jardine exhaust = really really loud


you can see a good mile of sound when you do a 3rd gear poweband rip up the road..

Accelerate hard to get them looking, then slam on the fronts and rollright beside the car, hanging the back wheel at eye level for a few seconds. Guaranteed reaction- Dave Sonsky

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