Droning is gone!

[BF]

Thanks Chillerman.

Any input/feedback to your fellow Valk' addicts on installation?  Example:  did you have to take your stacks off the bike to install?  Also, after enlarging your photo of the pipes, it seems as though you decided to install the retention bolt towards the front of the bike, how come?  Lastly, given the stacks are 4" and the silencers are also 4" what did you use to insert into the stack, mallet with oil, soap?

So many questions, 

Mine are installed in my extensions.  Easier to measure, mark and drilll the mounting hole while their off the bike.  Bolt hole towards the rear......it makes it easier to see the that welded nut when trying to insert bolt.  They just slide right in no problem. 

[Chillerman]

Thanks Chillerman.

Any input/feedback to your fellow Valk' addicts on installation?  Example:  did you have to take your stacks off the bike to install?  Also, after enlarging your photo of the pipes, it seems as though you decided to install the retention bolt towards the front of the bike, how come?  Lastly, given the stacks are 4" and the silencers are also 4" what did you use to insert into the stack, mallet with oil, soap?

So many questions,  

My "stacks" are just extensions that I bought from Airflo. I purchased a 40" stack and cut it in half with a band saw. They just replaced the OEM tips that's why the mounting bolts are where they are. The silencers require a mounting bolt as well so you would have to drill a hole in the extensions.

If you have full length stacks "to the header" it might be easier to leave them on.


Edit: I misunderstood your question. The silencers slip in without any effort. I installed the retaining bolt farther forward to hide it as well as possible.

[SpidyJ]

In preparation for some long trips this summer I switched to my stock pipes to reduce noise and allow me to use my bluetooth headset without blowing out my ears. The only problem is I can't stand the stock look! I decided on a set of Grumpys tips and stack extensions. Unfortunately AirFlo was out of the 18" extensions until June but had 38 and 40" stacks available. So thanks to the advice of a couple of members, I purchased a 40" stack (it was cheaper) and cut it in half. So now I have 2 20" extensions with Grumpys tips  . All good, or so I thought. The sound was terrific but the droning at highway speeds was unbearable and the whole idea was to be able to use my bluetooth headset in the first place! So after doing some research and looking online, I came up with these 4" slip in silencers.



I figured they couldn't possibly restrict the stock exhaust more than the 3 3/4" piggies already do  . Here is the installation.



So now I am very happy with the outcome. The sound is still very nice, better than stock, but the droning is gone  . I took a short trip up the mountain to test them out and stopped at an old gold mine. I am undecided on whether the 20" extensions are too long or not . I can always cut them down to 18".

Did you drill through pipes to install the bolt thru or did you just use the bolt as a set screw to hold the silencer in place inside the pipe?

[Chillerman]

I drilled through the pipes although I probably didn't have to. I didn't want them rattling around if the set screw came loose. Grumpy's tips would have stopped them from falling out but I didn't want to take any chances. Come to think of it Grumpy's tips are held in with set screws 

[mark0341]

Hello, I am the proud owner of a like new 1999 Valk std. With less than 10k on the odo. The pressing issue for me is the drilled out muffler baffles the previous ( originial owner) did with a 1/2" drill to the stock exhaust. Do I have any options to quiet this beast down? I have encountered other Valk riders who commented on how loud my bike is. They weren't riding their Valks at the time so I have no way to compare. Will a Cobra 6 to 6 be quieter with its baffles in place? Should I keep looking for a stock unmolested exhaust? Thanks for any thoughts. Mark in Fairfax VA

[hubcapsc]

Hello, I am the proud owner of a like new 1999 Valk std. With less than 10k on the odo. The pressing issue for me is the drilled out muffler baffles the previous ( originial owner) did with a 1/2" drill to the stock exhaust. Do I have any options to quiet this beast down? I have encountered other Valk riders who commented on how loud my bike is. They weren't riding their Valks at the time so I have no way to compare. Will a Cobra 6 to 6 be quieter with its baffles in place? Should I keep looking for a stock unmolested exhaust? Thanks for any thoughts. Mark in Fairfax VA

You're in the same boat I was in. Look for some good stockers, and/or talk to the
Horseapple Ranch guy who is a vendor here... he has what it takes to replace
piggies and if anyone knows how to plug up the drilled out baffles he does... I
think I heard about people jambing freeze plugs in the drill holes or something.

A guy just posted some $500 pristine never used take-offs on the Classifieds...
I got (a slightly better deal) on some pristine pipes and they're what you want 

Cobras are loud. People get them for looks and sound...

-Mike

[mark0341]

Thanks Mike, I 'll take your advise and keep looking for a decent OEM exhaust.

[Chillerman]

Hello, I am the proud owner of a like new 1999 Valk std. With less than 10k on the odo. The pressing issue for me is the drilled out muffler baffles the previous ( originial owner) did with a 1/2" drill to the stock exhaust. Do I have any options to quiet this beast down? I have encountered other Valk riders who commented on how loud my bike is. They weren't riding their Valks at the time so I have no way to compare. Will a Cobra 6 to 6 be quieter with its baffles in place? Should I keep looking for a stock unmolested exhaust? Thanks for any thoughts. Mark in Fairfax VA

This is an old thread that started with me installing slip in silencers into truck stacks to reduce the droning noise when wearing full faced helmets. These inserts are not what you are looking for.  They will not work with the stock exhaust.  I agree with Mike, find some unmolested OEMs.

[mark0341]

Just took a 500 mile round trip to a little burg near Pittsburgh and bought a near perfect OEM exhaust and have already placed a Craigslist ad for my drilled out ones. On my way back to VA I stopped at the relatively new Honda dealership in Rockville Md and picked up 6 Honda exhaust gaskets ( nice folks ). I'll post to report what happens with the "new" stock system installed.

[mark0341]

I am glad to report that the OEM unmolested exhaust I bought from Carl in PA worked out great! I bought new OEM exhaust gaskets and took care to not to over tighten those exhaust nuts. I am able to go over the exhaust nuts (heating and cool down) without too much trouble so I just used a flexible screw driver with a 10mm socket and feel fairly confident that the crush washers have fully "crushed". So as to the running of the Valkyrie is concerned .......it runs much stronger (seat of the pants feel) and smoother (still have to do a good carb sync) no more gurgling or near popping on rundown. The sound is as expected stock but when I crack it wide open it sounds good (for me anyway). Thanks for the great advise guys!