HarleyTechTalk

Technical Forums => Shovel Head => Topic started by: 76shuvlinoff on August 15, 2009, 06:23:06 AM

Title: Unbaffled exhaust tuning tip from nightrider
Post by: 76shuvlinoff on August 15, 2009, 06:23:06 AM
Shovels and drag pipes just seem to go together or at least end up together. I thought I'd sticky this here for a while.

http://www.nightrider.com/biketech/exhaust.htm (http://www.nightrider.com/biketech/exhaust.htm)

Title: Re: Unbaffled exhaust tuning tip from nightrider
Post by: sparkey on August 16, 2009, 08:10:11 PM
Thanks-Great link
Title: Re: Unbaffled exhaust tuning tip from nightrider
Post by: fx4me2 on August 21, 2009, 12:29:38 PM
I got a tech tip awhile ago that was sort of the same,It was 1 1/4 bolt with 4-5 nuts inside,witch makes it about 1 in.This artical say about 1/2 in.Witch is better? Also on a slash cut pipe wheres the 1 in. from the very end or begining of the slash, mine is about five from the very end ,any difference?
Title: Re: Unbaffled exhaust tuning tip from nightrider
Post by: 76shuvlinoff on August 21, 2009, 04:59:37 PM
As far as bolt placement there might be a difference on a dyno sheet but I am wondering if anyone would actually feel it.
Title: Re: Unbaffled exhaust tuning tip from nightrider
Post by: fx4me2 on August 21, 2009, 05:15:42 PM
thanks. that was a good link
Title: Re: Unbaffled exhaust tuning tip from nightrider
Post by: smoldrn on August 31, 2009, 03:09:50 PM
Hey, I just went to the link and it said that the domain name for Nightrider is expired. :wtf:
Title: Re: Unbaffled exhaust tuning tip from nightrider
Post by: FSG on August 31, 2009, 03:47:03 PM
It's good from here in Oz.  Try  http://www.nightrider.com (http://www.nightrider.com)   
Title: Re: Unbaffled exhaust tuning tip from nightrider
Post by: 76shuvlinoff on September 01, 2009, 06:20:33 AM
both links are working for me at the moment..
Title: Re: Unbaffled exhaust tuning tip from nightrider
Post by: smoldrn on September 02, 2009, 11:16:43 AM
Ah sooo...so solly, sank you berry much. :bf:
Title: Re: Unbaffled exhaust tuning tip from nightrider
Post by: drinner-okc on September 04, 2009, 08:38:18 PM
In 76 I was working at a H-D dealer, riding a 74 XLCH. 38MM Mikuni, 1-3/4 drag pipes & a 16 laced on the rear.
WFO the bike ran great, but around town was bloated & fat. Some of our older mechanics were drag racers, and one offered to wake-up the CH. He basically did exactly what that site recommends. but mad his with a bolt & a larger OD shim or spacer. almost snug to the pipe ID, but with a larger hole. He also slotted the threaded end so you could hold it where you wanted with a screwdriver to fine tune. When I sold the bike, people would test ride it and say the clutch slipped. I'd take
them back and show them they were spinning the tire @ each shift.
So, yes it will make a difference you can feel.

PS: just like a baffle, it will hold heat and cause the pipes to discolor/blue at the washer.
drinner-okc
Title: Re: Unbaffled exhaust tuning tip from nightrider
Post by: MBSKEAM on October 03, 2009, 11:47:06 AM
like this....
(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a96/mbskeam/bike%20parts/DSCF1913.jpg)

(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a96/mbskeam/bike%20parts/028.jpg)

mbskeam
Title: Re: Unbaffled exhaust tuning tip from nightrider
Post by: ricochet on October 08, 2009, 08:53:30 AM
Looking at that last pic makes me think why not just use a 1/4-20 or larger eye bolt?  It effectively does the same thing and allows some flow because the profile is round stock.  No welding required.  Probably been mentioned before.

ricochet
Title: Re: Unbaffled exhaust tuning tip from nightrider
Post by: JamLazyAss on December 04, 2009, 11:44:23 AM
Hard to imagine that little bit of restriction can make such a big change in performance.
Title: Re: Unbaffled exhaust tuning tip from nightrider
Post by: 76shuvlinoff on December 04, 2009, 01:47:31 PM
 Just about anything breaks up the reversion wave, back pressure is a different matter.

When I did this the washers I used filled the drag pipe to about 75% and I turned it back and forth looking for a sweet spot.
Title: Re: Unbaffled exhaust tuning tip from nightrider
Post by: hbkeith on December 22, 2009, 05:27:09 AM
been doin that for 25 years, it works, that idea came from the old honda 305
Title: Re: Unbaffled exhaust tuning tip from nightrider
Post by: FLTRI on February 20, 2010, 07:07:55 PM
Quote from: hbkeith on December 22, 2009, 05:27:09 AM
.... that idea came from the old honda 305
God, I hate to admit I remember that. :embarrassed:
Bob
Title: Re: Unbaffled exhaust tuning tip from nightrider
Post by: Old Crow on February 21, 2010, 03:11:48 AM
I remember the ones with the knob on them that you could open or close...Snuff-or-not's was what we called them.
Had them on a 175 Honda before I ever got the 305.  :smile:
Title: Re: Unbaffled exhaust tuning tip from nightrider
Post by: Reddog74usa on April 08, 2010, 01:48:15 PM
Yep a thumb screw also works very well as you can twist it to tune. Yep you will feel the difference.
Title: Re: Unbaffled exhaust tuning tip from nightrider
Post by: Hillside Motorcycle on October 25, 2010, 11:26:00 AM
Back when every mother's son in 8 county's, was into throwing the biggest pipe on their bike, when those first came to market,(IE 2 1/4", and larger), we manufactured "torque nozzles" from 6061 aluminum bar here.
Slip-fit on the O.D., 1" long, and 1.600" thru hole, with a 10* taper, which faced the front of the pipe, and then, with a 1/4-20 drilled/tapped hole thru, to attach to the pipe.
On the dyno, you could make pulls, and increase the I.D. by .060" at a time, 'till the bottom of the torque curve would just start to fade. Done.
Tried to get Drag to take them on, but they said they'd have 'em made offshore if they were interested. Thank's!!
Submitted them to Zippy's as well. Never heard a peep, as I believe both, probably thought that something that simple, couldn't possibly work.
The bolt/nut works well in 1 3/4" drag pipes, and another thing we had witnessed, is to cut them straight, not a baloney cut.
Scott
Title: Re: Unbaffled exhaust tuning tip from nightrider
Post by: Old Crow on October 25, 2010, 08:43:18 PM
I just a couple of weeks ago cut the baloney ends off the drag pipes on my shovel.  You can definitly tell the difference even without changing anything else(including the washers).  Makes it sound a whole lot nicer too.
Title: Re: Unbaffled exhaust tuning tip from nightrider
Post by: ironman2 on November 09, 2010, 02:46:48 PM
Why bolt on open pipes just to baffle them w/ a bolt and loose ALL the sound of drag pipes,??
Title: Re: Unbaffled exhaust tuning tip from nightrider
Post by: 76shuvlinoff on November 09, 2010, 03:58:42 PM
I think you have to choose between the sound of drag pipes and low end /midrange performance.
Title: Re: Unbaffled exhaust tuning tip from nightrider
Post by: HotRodShovel on November 09, 2010, 04:12:11 PM
Crow...absolutely man. I don't dig the baloney cut and I don't know why they don't make more straight cuts.
Title: Re: Unbaffled exhaust tuning tip from nightrider
Post by: Old Crow on November 10, 2010, 02:29:29 AM
I don't think the washer really cuts down on the sound of the pipes.  I think it just changes the tone a bit.
Sure helps the torque curve, though.
Besides, ever try and find pipes for a rubber mount shovel?  You get 3 choices. 
2 into one(old style, not T-header style),about $200 plus a muffler, true duals, about $300 plus 2 mufflers, or drags, about $100 and done.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, I'm a cheap bastich.
Title: Re: Unbaffled exhaust tuning tip from nightrider
Post by: Dangit_Dave on December 24, 2010, 07:47:54 AM
I have to agree... I run a '80-80" FXWG with 1 7/8" drags, The previous owner replaced the cam with a "top end" cam that I assumed was why it lacked low and mid range torque. I made a set of the washer baffles and was amazed at the difference it made! I now have good low RPM torque even when riddin' two up. Still sounds sweet, too. 

LOUD PIPES SAVE LIVES!
Title: Re: Unbaffled exhaust tuning tip from nightrider
Post by: messed up on April 19, 2012, 07:50:27 PM
Used to put them in Honda 305 scrambler headers, had a knob and spring so you could close the washer and quiet them down when you got to town. I'm sure some here might remember how they went together.
Title: Re: Unbaffled exhaust tuning tip from nightrider
Post by: acoolmf on March 26, 2013, 12:40:25 PM
I put an eye bolt in my drag pipes when I had a sporty 1200. I dyno it first and had a lag or saddle in the torque and Hp on the dyno sheet. An old guy who raced Harleys told me to do the bolt instead of cones or baffels and it worked great. While dynoing the bike I used a 2x4 to determine how much restiction I need and a single bolt was not enough. When I went to the eye bolt, Hp and torque went from a drop in the midrange in both to a linear curve and I could smoke the tires no problem
Title: Re: Unbaffled exhaust tuning tip from nightrider
Post by: Hotrodjohn71 on June 02, 2013, 09:04:17 PM
I did EXACTLY what MBSKEAM did in his photos.
I first installed the washer/bolt setups in the holes that held the original baffels  which were about 6-8 inches from the end of the pipe. Then I saw a thread from a guy who dynoed his bike and showed heat progression in the pipes in a thermal image. He said 1 1/2" from the end of the pipe was best so I plugged the hole for the stock baffles and drilled holes 1 1/2" and turned the lollipops about 45 degrees and it sounds good and runs good too.
Title: Re: Unbaffled exhaust tuning tip from nightrider
Post by: ARBY on December 12, 2013, 06:19:58 PM
Quote from: Hillsidecyclecom on October 25, 2010, 11:26:00 AM
Back when every mother's son in 8 county's, was into throwing the biggest pipe on their bike, when those first came to market,(IE 2 1/4", and larger), we manufactured "torque nozzles" from 6061 aluminum bar here.
Slip-fit on the O.D., 1" long, and 1.600" thru hole, with a 10* taper, which faced the front of the pipe, and then, with a 1/4-20 drilled/tapped hole thru, to attach to the pipe.
On the dyno, you could make pulls, and increase the I.D. by .060" at a time, 'till the bottom of the torque curve would just start to fade. Done.
Tried to get Drag to take them on, but they said they'd have 'em made offshore if they were interested. Thank's!!
Submitted them to Zippy's as well. Never heard a peep, as I believe both, probably thought that something that simple, couldn't possibly work.
The bolt/nut works well in 1 3/4" drag pipes, and another thing we had witnessed, is to cut them straight, not a baloney cut.
Scott

Do you have any pics of those torque nozzles?
Title: Re: Unbaffled exhaust tuning tip from nightrider
Post by: Burnout on July 05, 2016, 04:27:51 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjKUKhHQLHg (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjKUKhHQLHg)


I always laugh at slash cut drag pipes...

Fashion is smashin!

Denial is not a river in egypt.
Title: Re: Unbaffled exhaust tuning tip from nightrider
Post by: Hossamania on September 14, 2016, 03:57:48 PM
Slash cut drags are the best sounding pipe on a Shovel. Best looking too!
Title: Re: Unbaffled exhaust tuning tip from nightrider
Post by: Jako1 on October 02, 2016, 08:31:13 AM
Slash cut drags are the best sounding pipe on a Shovel. Best looking too!
:emoGroan:
Title: Re: Unbaffled exhaust tuning tip from nightrider
Post by: HotRodShovel on December 07, 2016, 05:19:57 AM
This is an outstanding video by S&S about tuning pipes specifically drag pipes.  Well worth the look.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjKUKhHQLHg (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjKUKhHQLHg)