baffle packing

[RDKing07]

I purchased a set of wild slipons a few years back for my 07 FLHR and I liked the sound.  They started getting a little loud so I called up the manufacture and they sent me out some baffle packing.  It didn't seem like a lot but mine was all gone so it must be what I need.  Thought it was getting loud again so I pulled out the baffles and the packing was gone again.  where did it go, it's not even 6 months old and it's gone.  The packing wasn't very tight when I put it in (they didn't send that much) so was that the problem?  Is there a wrap that I need to put around it when I put it in so it fits tighter around the baffle? Need some help here or I'm going to stick the factories back on and there go's the dyno tune.  The OL says it to loud and the neighbors are looking also.

[Princess Butt]

The fiberglass packing gets blown out pretty easily. For what most places sell the packing for, they should give us the mufflers for free!

Seriously, the best long-term solution is to get some heavy fiberglass cloth, such as 10 oz. or heavier and wrap the baffles tight.

I used 20 oz. cloth (it cost 10 bucks from Ebay, and about 30 bucks to ship it!) and so far it's performed flawlessly. The bike runs better, it's quiet at speed, and when I crank on it, it sounds great without shattering eardrums. I'm using Kerker mufflers with the original style baffles.

[Gashman]

I have had the same pipes for 4-5 years.
If you use the cheaper fiberglass wrap, you can watch it fly out in pieces when you twist the throttle hard.
I was replacing mine every 2-3 months. I could always tell when it was about gone due to the noise level and the way the bike run. 
I was at harbor freight one day, "buying some disposable tools", and came across a 50ft roll of steel wool. 
a light bulb appeard above my head, (more like a short circuit), anyway, thats what I have been using for years now.  it last alot longer, works well, and by having the 50 ft roll, (approx $9), i can put as little or as much as I want.  With my build and tune, I use about 18 inches wrapped tight in both sides.
Someone may come back and say you shouldn't do this for whatever reason, but I have had good  results doing this for about 3 years now....... 

:beer:Gash

[RedFXR2]

Seriously, the best long-term solution is to get some heavy fiberglass cloth, such as 10 oz. or heavier and wrap the baffles tight.

Right.  I use 12 oz fiberglass cloth from the local marine supply store.  Lasts much longer than the fluffy fiberglass packing.  Wrap it around the baffle, secure with some lightweight copper wire, slide it back into the muffler and youi're good to go for a long time.  It also muffles sound better than the fluffy stuff.

[scoopfraser]

Here's a good article from Joe Minton on this subject.

http://www.americanrider.com/output.cfm?id=2138671

[RedFXR2]

Here's a good article from Joe Minton on this subject.

http://www.americanrider.com/output.cfm?id=2138671

That's where I got the idea.  Joe's right.

[Rags722]

As far as repacking with steel wool, I would suggest that you DON'T do it.  First of all, unless you get the entire muffler up to full temp EVERY time you run the bike, you are going to have moisture in there.  Steel Wool Rusts. Do the math!  Also, I use steel wool for cheap fireworks. Take a wire and wire some steel wool together, hit it with a torch and spin the wire.  You just made a steel wool sparkler.

Now, here is what I have been toying around with when it comes to repacking.  Go to your local wood fireplace shop.  They sell fiberglass rope for door gaskets.  I have been using the low density about 1/2 inch stuff that sells for around $1.00 a foot.  To do a single baffle in a Kerker takes about 20 feet of rope, so it is NOT cheap, but so far it looks like it's going to last a good long while!

[FSG]

I've been using steel wool for years, actually I also used it in my dirt bikes back in the 70's.  The local hardware store stocks rolls of the super duper fine wool that's used for furniture/wood polishing, which is what I use.

[Superheat9]

Interesting thread.  Time to do some shopping.

[RDKing07]

Yeah OK ! So  went down to the auto parts store and bought $17 worth of evercoat fiberglass cloth, heavy stuff. Tightly rapped each wild pig baffle with a crap load of it and then rapped a copper wire down the entire length and tied on both ends.  Put the baffles back in and started it up to hear even louder exhaust than what I had with almost no packing.  Whats up  ?

[Rags722]

My guess would be you have it so tight the exhaust is forced to go right out the pipe rather than get muffled by the packing.  That was the reasoning I used when I purchased the low density stove gasket rope rather than the high density.  I actually WANTED some of the exhaust flow to leak through the holes in the baffle and into the rope gasket.

[glens]

The packing absorbs sound energy by vibrating and turning it into heat (and sacrificing itself over time).  It's got to be able to move.

[RDKing07]

Yeah I went back out and took the baffles apart and used about half of what I had which is still plenty.   Loosened it up and wired only on the ends and it is much better, sounds great and it doesn't have the pop on decel as it did.  I questioned this on the forum before and most said that baffle packing wouldn't make a difference, but if you lose the packing it changes the tune and could result in decel popping. Just a thought, but the bike does seem to be a little rich at idle now compared to when there was a lack of baffle packing.  I had added fuel to the zero throttle from 1750 up to 6000 RPM and changed idle from a -15 to a -10 on the PCIII.  I will go back to the original settings and see what happens.   
Thanks to everyone on your ideas and help.
Mike