Cut and Shorten Pipes

[RUDE DOG - Steelers]

I am looking at getting a set of pipes, possibly Cobra 6 into 6.  I am interested in possibly cutting them down and making them shorter.  I am assuming I wouldnt be able to use the baffles then.  Has anyone done this?  What effect if any would it have on performance?  Sound maybe louder?  Thanks.

[Grandude]

I don't have experience with Cobras, but I have shortened other pipes. Straight pipes would sound cool but extremely loud so you'll probably have to quiet them down a little with baffles. LA Choppers makes some universal 1" and 1.5" baffles and some baffle sheet material.

Shortening the pipes, even with baffles, will change the flow restriction (or as some call it "back pressure") so you'll have to check your plugs to see if the engine is running rich or lean. It will most likely be lean so you may have to shim or adjust your main needles or change your jets. If you search the tech archives you'll find some info that should help.

[RUDE DOG - Steelers]

Thanks Grandude.  Anyone here ever done this with Cobras?  This bike is bad and looks something like shortened Cobras.
http://photo.vrccservices.com/displayimage.php?album=33&pos=59

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

The Cobra baffles are 14 inches long. You could measure from the bend ( right behind the driver peg ) back 14 inches and use the baffle. They stay in place with ( 1 ) screw. If you have saddlebags the heat will cook them . I had Jardine's ( shortest factory exhasut I've seen ) on my bike with Corbin Bettlebags and the heat was starting to take a toll.You should also think about the passenger if you have one that heat would fry the feet in short order.I have Cobra 6X6 on all my bikes nothing sounds as good as them on a Valk ...IMO.

[RUDE DOG - Steelers]

Thanks for the reply.  I very rarely have a passenger.  I do have leather bags that have quick release on them and I rarely use them either.  That said, I wouldnt want to have an issue when I do have a passenger or the bags on.  I didnt realize they got the hot.  I guess I could just cut them back to the Jardines length.  I agree on the sound.  For me, I havent heard any other exhaust for the Valk that sounds as good as the Cobras.  I just listened to a set of Dragon Packs on someones bike.  It had 9 inch packs and it sounded very, very good.  It didnt have as much of the raspy pro-stocker sound though.  Still very nice sound.  2nd best Ive heard. 

[Momz]

 I have two Valks, one has Cobra 6 into 6 pipes and the other has Dragon Packs. Both sound awesome, however the Cobras could get a bit loud for a long distance ride. The baffles in the Cobras could be removed and cut down thus making the bike a bit nastier sounding, but removeing the baffles alltogether could result in extremely loud exhaust noise and possibly a small drop in performance.
Yes, I've considered shortening my Cobras too. I would limit my trimming to about where the baffle bolt is. Better to trim a little, than to much!   

[RUDE DOG - Steelers]

What type of Dragon Pack setup do you have?  Stack length? Glasspack length and bore? 

[Momz]

I had Ernie Schuster build mine with 24" glass packs and my stacks come just to the back of my saddlebags. Ernie typically builds his systems with 9, 12, or 18 inch glass packs. He made mine as a special order and did not charge any extra.

I wanted the longer packs as I have an Interstate that my wife and I used to ride two up on, and I didn't need her complaining. However, these pipes have very deep bass tone. Not loud, but very authoritive!

Now my wife has her own bike (Gold Wing) and she wants to hear the exhaust growl on her bike! Sheesh.....never can please her!

[RUDE DOG - Steelers]

Ok.  Got my used set of Cobras.  It took me over 4 hours of work to get the baffles out.  My hands are torn up.  Anyway, what suggestion would you give of how to go about cutting the pipes?  What type of place should I look for to cut them shorter.?  Im not going to take off too much to avoid the problems that were stated above that can be caused.