Complete De-baffling of VN 900 Exhaust

[JRBL1A1]

Originally Posted by 09custom

so my friend and I tackled the project this weekend on my 09' 900 SE. It took us about 2 hours because we tried to do it our own way. Instead of being patient and continuing to just wiggle the baffle back and forth until it snapped, we started using all type of tools, manuevers etc. We ruined drill bits, broke 2 painters poles, drank about 8 beers and had a **** load of metal splinters!

Anyway, the thing is LOUD. haha. It's a really throaty rumble, hard to explain. I barely have any backfire (even when downshifting). I chipped the paint a little bit around the edge of the exhaust but I have to hit it with flat black anyway. All in all, easy to do, just FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS ON PAGE 1.

So no beer then?

I just bought the 3in hole saw blade and am hoping to get to the project this weekend. I am still debating on whether or not to do the three different "stages" (screens only; holes on rear of baffles; then a complete debaffle) to guard against having my 900LT too loud, but we'll see. I just may drink a few of those Hamm's beer I bought from the store for $9/case to help get me brave enough to take the plunge.

[09custom]

Oh there was plenty of beer flowing once we started on the pipe itself. I say just go all out. It's loud but it's still not as loud as some of the exhausts I hear on the road. But if you take it in stages, I guess you can make that decision gradually.

[rokket]

niceee bike looks cool in black with meanie bars yes ?

[NoRegrets78]

Please forgive the noob questions but I just bought an 09 900 and am considering this debaffle business. 2 quick questions...

1. Should I wait till after break-in?

2. Would it be possible instead of using a sawzall, use a metal cutting wheel on a dremel? I don't have the bike in possession yet so its hard to gauge how thick the tubing is on the baffle. I have one of those extender thingys so the dremel doesn't have to fit anywhere tight.

Thanks in advance for your patience with this noob.

[HoopleHead]

I'd think the dremel cutting discs would break pretty easy, but it's possible I guess. Might be worth borrowing a friend's sawzall though.
And I'm no break-in expert, but I see no relation between the debaffle and anything going on at break-in.

[NoRegrets78]

I have a sawzall, just don't trust myself with it on a BRAND NEW bike ya know lol. Afraid I'll slip and scratch something...kinda like my new helmet (put it on to get used to knowing where the vents are, hit my head on the ceiling, small scratch on the top).

[predfan2001]

Originally Posted by NoRegrets78

I have a sawzall, just don't trust myself with it on a BRAND NEW bike ya know lol. Afraid I'll slip and scratch something...kinda like my new helmet (put it on to get used to knowing where the vents are, hit my head on the ceiling, small scratch on the top).

Don't worry, it will end up with scratches all over it before long anyway! But really, use tape...cardboard....wood...whatever you need to protect the pipes. Mine cut like butter from the bottom-up. The saw jumped a bunch when trying to cut from the top.

[joeVulcan]

Originally Posted by predfan2001

Don't worry, it will end up with scratches all over it before long anyway! But really, use tape...cardboard....wood...whatever you need to protect the pipes. Mine cut like butter from the bottom-up. The saw jumped a bunch when trying to cut from the top.

+1
I put A LOT of duct tape all over the outside of the pipes when using the sawzall. Not one ding and I hit that pipe a dozen times when the blade would slip. I even broke one blade and still no dings.

[NoRegrets78]

Thanks for the tips! I'll give it a shot.

[vulcan_dude]

+1 on cutting from the bottom up. I found that way more stable and easier to control than starting from the top - when I tried starting from the top, the saw wanted to go all over the place, from the bottom, it was much more controlled.

[09custom]

I used a crap load of duct tape and cut bottom up. The hardest part was getting the hole saw to catch when cutting the ring out. Even with the pilot holes, that thing would not catch right away.
Another tip, even if you're planning on taking everything out, drill out the 1st screen so you can get the pole in deeper. It will give you more leverage when "wiggling" the pipe back and forth. I'm painting it tonight. Update with pics later tonight or tomorrow.

[HoopleHead]

Exactly right on the cutting from the bottom. Use a good bi-metal blade and take it slow until you have a good bite.

You'll work up a sweat on the "wiggling" phase and it will seem like it gets loose quickly but then just wiggles and wiggles like it's never going to break loose... but suddenly it does, neat as can be.

[vulcaneer]

The hardest part i think is cutting the ring out w/ the hole saw. My saw kept seizing. The rest went very smoothly. I think my pipes are getting louder and louder the longer the baffles have been out.

[smurph]

well after much deliberation I've decided to debaffle the pipes tomorrow after work. Will pick up a case of Sleeman's Honey Brown and there's a bottle of Port in the cabinet and a nice cigar waiting for afterwards. Roads are still covered in gravel so i'll wait another week before taking her to the street.

Have all the tools as I'm a carpenter by trade so i'm hoping it all goes smoothly. If not I have lots of wood filler around.

[NoRegrets78]

Before I bought my 900, I was dead set on the M50 and as such was researching mods for that. Found this on another forum, might interest some debafflers who regret the noise levels, or those who want to change the tone.

M50 fiberglass rebaffle for low $$$ (merged) - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

[dtinz]

I'm ready for a little louder than stock. I'm taking it in stage and so far have only knocked out the first screen with a piece of rebar. Not bad but would like still more. When I put the rebar back in the pipe past the first screen I hit something else. Looks like a second screen? Anybody know if I can punch that out as well? After that I'll consider drilling holes.
Thanks.

[vulcan_dude]

Originally Posted by vulcaneer

The hardest part i think is cutting the ring out w/ the hole saw. My saw kept seizing. The rest went very smoothly. I think my pipes are getting louder and louder the longer the baffles have been out.

Did you use a hole saw made for cutting through metal? Mine went through pretty quickly. I used two hole saws as a combo unit, so I cut the "donut" all at once - worked great. However, I didn't cut out the outside ring (on the outside of the large pipe), I cut it just inside of the large pipe, so there is a tiny lip there, if anything. But can't see it, especially after painting the chrome pipe innards black.

[vulcaneer]

Originally Posted by vulcan_dude

Did you use a hole saw made for cutting through metal? Mine went through pretty quickly. I used two hole saws as a combo unit, so I cut the "donut" all at once - worked great. However, I didn't cut out the outside ring (on the outside of the large pipe), I cut it just inside of the large pipe, so there is a tiny lip there, if anything. But can't see it, especially after painting the chrome pipe innards black.

Yup, used a metal saw. Just the 3"" and the entire ring around baffle came right out . This was the hardest part of a very easy project. Just have a tiny lip on the inside.

[predfan2001]

Originally Posted by vulcaneer

Yup, used a metal saw. Just the 3"" and the entire ring around baffle came right out . This was the hardest part of a very easy project. Just have a tiny lip on the inside.

Great job.....and good pics of the inside.

[vulcaneer]

Originally Posted by predfan2001

Great job.....and good pics of the inside.

Thank You for starting this thread.