Complete De-baffling of VN 900 Exhaust

[predfan2001]

Originally Posted by bobkat

I am going to do a baffle removal on my 900 classic LT wish me luck!

Good luck! I'm a Bettie fan too! One day I'd love to get her painted on my tank.

[bobkat]

Well, I done did it! Now my bike sounds like James Earl Jones making motorcycle sounds! I don't think I will have any problems with cement headed drivers not hearing me approach. RUMBLE, this will make it rumble. I used a torch to do some of my cuttin and my sawzall. My pipe was constructed a little differently, the cap was welded to the inner pipe. I had to leave a ring of metal in there, but I don't care. I painted the inside black just like the photos and it works! It definitely made folks jump when I started her up at the gas station last night! Predfan, check out my modified Gretsch guitar named "Bettie"

[joshua.queen]

Planning on debaffleing my 08 VN900 this Sunday, I'll let you know how it turns out. I'm thinking about making a how-to video and hosting it online somewhere, any interest in that?

[Hobo900]

I heard that debaffing can cause engine damadge

[Hobo900]

I might as well get new pipes. Anyone know of some really nice pipes? I don't want to get the typical straights or stagard that everyone has. No offense guys who have them.

[Shifter85]

Debaffled my 08 VN900C about 2 month ago. Followed Predfan's instructions/pics to the T. Came out perfect, much louder. Saved me some bucks until I can afford Cobras or V&H.

Thx again Pred,

Let us know how it turns out J.Q.

Shifter

[bobkat]

Predfan, notice no more bettie? somebody here got offended by my G rated picture! I'll just be nondescript from now on, I won't be able to be myself on this sight. Gee I hope no one else posts a picture from the 50s of a girl in a high waisted bikini, SCANDALOUS!!!

[r00k]

Read somewhere (user manual?) that any modification to the engine or exaust will void the warranty. Is that true?

[bobkat]

NO! I asked my dealer and he said no! If you destroy a part, such as the baffle , then yes you have voided the warranty on that specific part, but not on the whole bike or engine! Debaffling is no different than putting on aftermarket pipes with no baffles, the same effect is represented, loud unabstructed pipes. The big difference is the 1000 buck difference and skinny little aftermarket pipes that make a more brittle cracking noise instead of the deep rumble you get from the stock pipes debaffled. Dealers want to sell you aftermarket stuff, hence the misinformation campaign about warranty, back pressure, and controller modules! Mine are debaffled and I love it!

[sbg8r]

Originally Posted by bobkat

NO! I asked my dealer and he said no! If you destroy a part, such as the baffle , then yes you have voided the warranty on that specific part, but not on the whole bike or engine! Debaffling is no different than putting on aftermarket pipes with no baffles, the same effect is represented, loud unabstructed pipes. The big difference is the 1000 buck difference and skinny little aftermarket pipes that make a more brittle cracking noise instead of the deep rumble you get from the stock pipes debaffled. Dealers want to sell you aftermarket stuff, hence the misinformation campaign about warranty, back pressure, and controller modules! Mine are debaffled and I love it!

+1

[bobkat]

SBG8R, thanks!

[ou8alizzard]

today i thought i would de-baffle my exaust the first thing i did was pull my pipes off the bike and take them into the shop i seperated the pipes and pulled the chrome cover off the first one the drilled out the rivets on the end cover. I then took a grinder to where the muffler and the chrome pipe are wellded this is a easy grind taking 2 mins on each pipe i then lifted my pipe end down and hit it 1 time on a block of wood to break the weld all the way through the outer chrome pipe then was easy to pull away from the muffler. I took the muffler to the chop saw and cut it just behind the welds put the chrome pipe back over what was left of the cat. and welded the pipe back up put the cover back on and went to the next one.. the reason i did this was because i did not like the thought of using a sazall and this only took me 10 mins each side if people want i will try to post photos later.

[Shifter85]

Hey Lizard,

I guess whatever floats your boat. Being a newbie and all, really didn't want to take the pipes off and all that stuff. I guess if someone had a chop saw, welder and could lay a decent bead I guess it could be some fun, but my guess is that the average cat doesn't have a welder to begin with, and certainly doesn't know how to weld.

As my previous post stated, I used Predfan's method & pics to debaffle. This was my first bike and it took me about 1 1/2 hours total to debaffle, without the cutting and welding. Just seems a little easier.

Just curious, you said you used a grinder, drill, chop saw & welder. My question is this; Why is it that you didn't like the thought of a sawzall?

[copper4262]

Hey - This is a really great thread!! Iv been trying to talk my wife into letting me debaffle her bike for awhile now(I tell her its for her but i think its really cause I like riding the 900 more then I will admit to her)

When Im not sneaking rides on my wife's 900classic I usually ride my 1600 (I know, I know, I shouldn't be posting here) I was going to attempt a debaffle project on my own, but when I sat down and looked at the pipes it just seemed like too much work - besides im mechanically inept - So i decided to let my dealer slap on a set of Muzzy's - They added a nice rumble but weren't quite right - so i took an allen wrench to the bolt holding the baffles in and then tugged for a second before the baffles popped right out - Now the bike really rumbles!! anyway- i guess my point is to say to some of the people on this thread asking about commanders etc - i wouldn't get them - The guy that does the work on my bike at the dealership has been real honest with me - he said its not needed - even with putting on a set of aftermarket pipes - He also reccomended taking the baffles out and his only warning was that the gas mileage will go down - Well I guess we will see - Putting the new pipes on didn't decrease my mileage at all. And after I took the baffles out I can tell a difference in the power - I have a feeling that might bring the mileage down a bit -

So anyway- After reading through this thread Im seriously thinking I might have to try the debaffling on my wifes bike - The pics and instructions seemed pretty straighforward - I dunno though - Im kinda all thumbs at stuff like this - I really like the idea of taking the pipes off and doing it that way - but sadly the last time I tried to weld something I caught myself on fire - Ever seen a 250lbs man running around with a burning appron on?? Maybe ill just keep driving it with the lawnmower pipes on it. Besides - if i messed it up im sure my wife would expect me to buy her a new one!

[ou8alizzard]

I did not like the thought of using the sawzall because there was to much risk of hitting the pipes inside or out and doing it the way I did let me cut the inner pipe right after the cat. By doing this it let's the exhaust dump right into the bigger pipe giving it a deeper sound

[bobkat]

Lizzard, you are right. I put a little nick in the end of my pipe with the sawzall. It is tricky, I used the torch to cut half of the cap and used the sawzall to cut around the baffle itself. I would not recommend this unless you have some training with a torch. I went to welding school years ago and do a lot of welding and mechanical work around my little farm, so I have some experience with this kind of work. I tend to forget that not everyone can do this stuff, or has the tools to do it. I like your ideas and wish you would have done it on this forum earlier with pictures. PLease post pictures if you can, Thanks!

[Ciph3r]

Another satisfied customer...I had recently taken my system up to step 3 of Delphi, but I just didn't think it was enough, so I pulled the baffles...WOW, what a difference! I'm happy with the new growl.

[bobkat]

They sound better than a Harley with expensive pipes!

[HoopleHead]

Predfan, here's another satisfied follower! I did the mod this morning and then rode the bike the 66 miles to my VA dr's appt. Very pleased except I got dirty looks from a few people in the small towns I went through. My problem was the same as mentioned before, that my outer ring was either welded or riveted to the outer pipe. I didn't have time to get that out completely but still managed to wiggle the cat and tailpipe enough to break it free. I can do a movie and sound if people still want that.

On the highway, no windshield and wearing my Shoei, the noise is not objectionable. My only worry is that it does mask the engine noise completely, so if I get a knock or something happening I might not hear it.

Thanks for the excellent instructions!

[predfan2001]

Well a small thin ring actually remains in the pipe...at least it did in mine. Other than that, it's gutted.