BAFFLED OR NOT??

[BIG--T]

When I first got my Valk a few months ago, the first thing I did was take the baffles out of my Cobras.  Well I loved the sound and now have had enough and put them back in. I don't know if it's all in my head but it seems like I have a little increase in power and even a little better mpg.

I know I have more back pressure now, but is there any truth to what I said or is it all in my head?  

[R J]

It is just your butt dyno.

Probably very little change or any that would be noticeable.

[BIG--T]

It is just your butt dyno.

Probably very little change or any that would be noticeable.

Well my butt dyno says I've got 8.79 more HP!!  

[sandy]

It possible that you have more HP and torque in the lower RPM range. Backpressure affects the torque range. With the baffles removed, the peak HP/T will be the same but in the mid RPM range it'll be lower.

[Hoser]

To quote an old hot rodder from my past commenting on tuned headers vs straight pipes on street cars, "noise ain't horsepower"  Hoser 

[BIG--T]

The way my Cobras look twisted and turned, they kinda look like a header!   I hear people swear by Muzzys Supertrapps?

[BIG--T]

Yeah, it does seem to have more on low end. As far as mpg- if there is no science behind it, it could be better since I'm not rapping on it with my HD buds now and no jack rabbit starts since I can't hear that sweet sound. It might even save me a ticket!

[Beau57]

When I first got my Valk a few months ago, the first thing I did was take the baffles out of my Cobras.  Well I loved the sound and now have had enough and put them back in. I don't know if it's all in my head but it seems like I have a little increase in power and even a little better mpg.

I know I have more back pressure now, but is there any truth to what I said or is it all in my head?  

I  have a 1999 with Cobra pipes and no baffles. I get mixed views from others about the loudness, mostly in favor. Like you I have had enough. They do sound wicked but they are a little anoying on the interstate. I had no baffles with mine when purchased. Do you have Cobra brand baffles or aftermarket? Any help would be appreciated. I have seen some aftermarket very reasonably priced. In the description they say will fit 2" pipes but don't give the OD of the baffle. Baffle pictures?

[Beau57]

I would be happy lowering my sound even just a little. Any experience out there with different baffles with and without fiberglass wrap? JC Whitney has some for about $4 a pop. I'm making a trip soon and do not want to be the guy the police make an example of because I aggressively entered his state, (that's the way they may take it).

[BIG--T]

When I first got my Valk a few months ago, the first thing I did was take the baffles out of my Cobras.  Well I loved the sound and now have had enough and put them back in. I don't know if it's all in my head but it seems like I have a little increase in power and even a little better mpg.

I know I have more back pressure now, but is there any truth to what I said or is it all in my head?  

I  have a 1999 with Cobra pipes and no baffles. I get mixed views from others about the loudness, mostly in favor. Like you I have had enough. They do sound wicked but they are a little anoying on the interstate. I had no baffles with mine when purchased. Do you have Cobra brand baffles or aftermarket? Any help would be appreciated. I have seen some aftermarket very reasonably priced. In the description they say will fit 2" pipes but don't give the OD of the baffle. Baffle pictures?

I bought mine like that but they look factory. You can go to cobrausa.com and ask them, they have an excellent tech support team

[BIG--T]

I would be happy lowering my sound even just a little. Any experience out there with different baffles with and without fiberglass wrap? JC Whitney has some for about $4 a pop. I'm making a trip soon and do not want to be the guy the police make an example of because I aggressively entered his state, (that's the way they may take it).

I wouldn't worry about cops, they don't normally stop bikes because of noise unless you are showing out...around here anyway. I have never had to order baffles but would assume as long the OD of them fit the ID would work and I've heard people wrapping them in fiberglass. Maybe someone that's done that will chime in.

[DFragn]

I would be happy lowering my sound even just a little. Any experience out there with different baffles with and without fiberglass wrap? JC Whitney has some for about $4 a pop. I'm making a trip soon and do not want to be the guy the police make an example of because I aggressively entered his state, (that's the way they may take it).

I'm referencing Viking baffles & fiberglass wrapping as an FYI IMO.
My original fiberglass wraps had started to disintegrate so I removed all remnants of the wrap.

The noise was too much, especially at 65 mph. So i bought some fiberglass wrap from JCWhitney and re-wrapped the two baffles.

There was no discernible difference in sound.
Perhaps I used to much wrap and/or wrapped them too tightly.
Actually, I believe it was too much and too tight. I essentially decommissioned the baffles by choking them off causing pretty much straight thru flow.

Keeps the wraps light and loose!
But not so loose that they'll trail & bind the baffles between their ends and the inside walls of the pipe with insertion or removal.

[olddog1946]

I have the Cobra's and was not too fond of the racket out on the highway, so I got some fiberglass wrap from ebay and added that to the baffles....made a little difference and seemed to actually help with low end torque...mpg seems the same as b4.....sounds sweet in town,,,,but STILL too loud on the road...

[Kylenav]

I have the cobras and ride with the baffles out 95% of the time.  I don't notice much change in power or mpg either way.  I like them out so the FL snow birds can hear me.  Maybe when they go back north for the summer I'll ride with them in.

[Beau57]

I would be happy lowering my sound even just a little. Any experience out there with different baffles with and without fiberglass wrap? JC Whitney has some for about $4 a pop. I'm making a trip soon and do not want to be the guy the police make an example of because I aggressively entered his state, (that's the way they may take it).

I'm referencing Viking baffles & fiberglass wrapping as an FYI IMO.
My original fiberglass wraps had started to disintegrate so I removed all remnants of the wrap.

The noise was too much, especially at 65 mph. So i bought some fiberglass wrap from JCWhitney and re-wrapped the two baffles.

There was no discernible difference in sound.
Perhaps I used to much wrap and/or wrapped them too tightly.
Actually, I believe it was too much and too tight. I essentially decommissioned the baffles by choking them off causing pretty much straight thru flow.

Keeps the wraps light and loose!
But not so loose that they'll trail & bind the baffles between their ends and the inside walls of the pipe with insertion or removal.

On a previous bike with 4-1 Kerker exhaust (it had no baffle either), I took a piece of I believe 2" 6061 T-6 aluminum tubing and drilled a zillion holes in it, I then wrapped it with fiberglass cloth and tied it on with stainless steel wire. I capped the inserted end of the baffle forcing the exhaust to go through the cloth. Used it for 3-4 years before re-wrapping. Worked great and great sound. Of course the Kerker end cap was recessed for a 2" (I believe) pipe.

[2qmedic]

I would be happy lowering my sound even just a little. Any experience out there with different baffles with and without fiberglass wrap? JC Whitney has some for about $4 a pop. I'm making a trip soon and do not want to be the guy the police make an example of because I aggressively entered his state, (that's the way they may take it).

OK, here ya go.
I bought 12 (2 per pipe) stainless steel scouring pads from the Dollar store. They are wound up like a dounut.
Pull a baffle and stretch 2 scouring pads over it. Wrap some stainless steel wire around the scouring pads to hold them in place when they are reinstalled into the pipe.
Take a baffle to the auto store and buy freeze plugs that will fit.
Drill a 3/4" hole (size of the piggie) and bolt/weld or what ever to secure it to the back end of the baffle.
Each of the two steps will lessen the sound level. It still sounds great, but just will not wake up the entire neighborhood now.
Cheers

[Tropic traveler]

Bought the '99 with unbaffled Cobras on. LOUD!!!!
P.O. gave me the baffles {don't think they are the original Cobras} & in they went right away. Butt dyno says more low & mid range power, head & ears say much better. 
Got some 00 steel wool & I will try the baffle wrapping thing while I have it down for tires and rear service. The 00 steel wool trick worked pretty good quieting down the Roadhouse 65's I put on Kim's Spirit 750 with similar style baffles.
We'll see.

[BIG--T]

Bought the '99 with unbaffled Cobras on. LOUD!!!!
P.O. gave me the baffles {don't think they are the original Cobras} & in they went right away. Butt dyno says more low & mid range power, head & ears say much better. 
Got some 00 steel wool & I will try the baffle wrapping thing while I have it down for tires and rear service. The 00 steel wool trick worked pretty good quieting down the Roadhouse 65's I put on Kim's Spirit 750 with similar style baffles.
We'll see.

Hey Bert,

Did you sell the trike kit?

[Tropic traveler]

X guy, you must be confusing me with Bert who lives here in Ocala. He has Tom's {sealskiner} '98 Valk with the Voyager kit & a matching trailer for sale.
He hangs out mainly on the Florida board. I don't think he has sold it yet. Nobody around here has any $$$ I guess.

Is this the bike you are referring to??


 

[BIG--T]

X guy, you must be confusing me with Bert who lives here in Ocala. He has Tom's {sealskiner} '98 Valk with the Voyager kit & a matching trailer for sale.
He hangs out mainly on the Florida board. I don't think he has sold it yet. Nobody around here has any $$$ I guess.

Is this the bike you are referring to??


 

Yeah sorry about the confusion and that is the trike. I bought seats from him and his wife has a bike too. Nice guy- do you know his handle?

Thanks, Tony

[Beau57]

These are the baffles I spoke of;
http://www.jcwhitney.com/bikers-choice-exhaust-pipe-baffles/p2027298.jcwx?filterid=c14658o20j3
The Cobra brand are like $30+ each. I talked with a sales person at JC Whitney and they could not confirm the outside diameter. Key to working is a good fit, preferably no space around them. The wall thickness of the 2" OD Cobra's dictates the inner thickness. I would hate to spend an extra $100 for something I may not like anyway.

[Tundra]

Ain't that the truth  

To quote an old hot rodder from my past commenting on tuned headers vs straight pipes on street cars, "noise ain't horsepower"  Hoser 

[Tropic traveler]

X-GUY, he goes by Bert. He & Sherrie have sold their bikes, they both have back issues & riding had become too uncomfortable for them.
He was close to Tom & Tom's widow turned to him to sell off the Valkyrie & all the Valk stuff that Tom had accumulated over the years. He's done a great job but it seems like any big ticket item is a hard sell these days. Bert & Sherrie have a nice place in the woods with plenty of safe storage area for Tom's Valk until a lucky person comes along & buys it. 
Contact him, he may seperate the Voyager kit & trailer from the bike. Tom was a very meticulous fellow, all his things are beautiful & top notch.

[BIG--T]

X-GUY, he goes by Bert. He & Sherrie have sold their bikes, they both have back issues & riding had become too uncomfortable for them.
He was close to Tom & Tom's widow turned to him to sell off the Valkyrie & all the Valk stuff that Tom had accumulated over the years. He's done a great job but it seems like any big ticket item is a hard sell these days. Bert & Sherrie have a nice place in the woods with plenty of safe storage area for Tom's Valk until a lucky person comes along & buys it.  
Contact him, he may seperate the Voyager kit & trailer from the bike. Tom was a very meticulous fellow, all his things are beautiful & top notch.

Thanks for the information. I bought his Ultimates and talked to him on the phone. He seems to be a real nice guy and I believe he said Sherrie had a Shadow and a pink Valk. Sorry to hear about the back issues. Yes he has a nice place in the country I told him I'd like to buy!  Lol