Exhaust Mod Question

[Special K]

I recently cut my piggies and drilled 1/2 inch holes through my first set of baffles in my exhaust as per the article "Pipes 101" in the Shop Talk section of this board.  My Valk definitely sounds better but I wanted to take it to the next step.   

At the point where the article started talking about drilling the second set of baffles there's an edit that says, "After some research, it is recommended to proceed with the next step in the other page, the "Ragnar Cut", before this drilling the front baffles."   I'm not finding that "other page" that talks about the "Ragnar Cut".   Anyone know what that is?  Should I not drill my second set of baffles?

Thanks!  Special K

[9Ball]

It's a shame to butcher stock pipes...the Ragnar cut is VERY drastic.  I'm sure someone will give you all the details.

At some point you might want to consider going to the glaspak mod....especially since your current modifications are no longer fully reversible.  In my opinion you will then get a nicer tone to the exhaust and not something that will be annoying on long rides.

Good luck with your changes....

[Special K]

Thanks for the response.  It turned out that the first owner had already cut the piggies.  I was surprised when I removed the covers.  I drilled the holes in the baffles.

With the baffles drilled out I can hardly tell the difference at cruising speed.  It's more noticeable when accelerating - but still not a huge difference.

I've heard a bike with the glaspak mod and it sounded great.  I looked at it and it seemed a bit over my head for the work involved.  I seem to remember there was welding.

[BF]

Answers to your questions.....

http://luiscajiga.com/Exhaustm.htm

http://luiscajiga.com/Exhaustm2.htm

[Special K]

Thank you for the links, BF!

[BF]

This is my Valk after I cut the pigs and drilled the rear baffles. 

Honda Valkyrie - Lighting modifications	powered by Aeva

This is after I did the Ragnar Cut.

Honda Valkyrie - after Ragnar Cut	powered by Aeva

After you do the Ragnar Cut and the drone starts to get to you, come back and read this thread.....

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,40398.0.html

[9Ball]

Thanks for the response.  It turned out that the first owner had already cut the piggies.  I was surprised when I removed the covers.  I drilled the holes in the baffles.

With the baffles drilled out I can hardly tell the difference at cruising speed.  It's more noticeable when accelerating - but still not a huge difference.

I've heard a bike with the glaspak mod and it sounded great.  I looked at it and it seemed a bit over my head for the work involved.  I seem to remember there was welding.

Take a look at MarkT's website horseapple.com

His mild to wild pipes are hard to beat.  If your headers are pristine they might be good candidates for the conversion.  If your shields are in great shape they can be re-used or you can go with the truck stacks.

A few options for modified pipes....

[Special K]

More options than I ever expected...  Now to decide what to do.  Thanks for all the help and opinions are also always welcome. 

Special K

[Mr Whiskey]

Gotta throw one more in the mix! I've done alot of mods to my oem exhaust.
Cut pigs, not loud enough.
Drilled rear baffles 3/4 in. not loud enough.
Ragnar'd, took 1.5 in. keyhole saw & removed rear baffles, not loud enough.
Decided I didn't really like the glasspack sound & didn't wanna add the extra weight so...........
Jus' bought 36 in. slashcut truckstacks, cut them down to 33.5 in. from front, & removed the rear half of oem exhaust can, meaning I cut 7.5 inches off the factory cans. Notched the truckstacks to fit over the factory exhaust hangers & drove them over the shortened factory cans.
I have unmodified front baffles, & open truckstack from there back.
This is exactly the sound I was lookin' for! Good clean performance. Seemed to "free" her up alittle, (was too restricted IMHO) & sound's like a Dragon's 'posed to! I love it!
Now this mod is directly related to what kinda helmet you wear, if any. I'm in a helmet law state but I wear non DOT. If you're wear'n full face, or 3/4 helmet you will have drone! Some people caint stand it. I'm fine with it cause I never wear a helmet that covers my ears.
Sound is subjective. Take it slow & one step at a time. Took me 3 years to get what I was lookin' for!
Good luck with your mods!
Peace, Whiskey.

P.S. Here's a vid of this sound, (not mine). This helped me decide to "go all the way".

Honda Valkyrie 4 inch Truck Stack Exhaust Mod silencers removed	powered by Aeva

[Special K]

Interesting.  I was thinking about going with the Ragnar but was worried about the "drone" because of an earlier post.  I usually wear a Skid Lid, which is DOT but as minimal as DOT will get.  In the winter I wear a 3/4. 

Did you have to mess with your carbs?

[Mr Whiskey]

Haven't touched the carbs but I was alittle rich to begin with. Don't smell as much as she used to. Seems to be runnin' perfect. Actually better than ever!
Glad I did it, but time will tell. Don't have too many miles on this mod yet.
She sure sounds sexy though!!
Peace, Whiskey.