V&H Baggers - Baffled ? or not ?

[boomerang2120]

I've run with both completely de-baffled (a little louder than I'm comfortable with), then tried fully baffled and packed (a little quieter than I was hoping for). I'm going to try out just using the metal baffles by themselves.

Does anyone else? Thoughts ?

[Jared]

I voted to keep the baffles and packing, but honestly, the Ultimate baffles are better than any of the three options you gave.

IMO completely debaffles is too loud and you loose a lot of back pressure. If you don't use the packing on the baffles they sound too high pitched and have too much of a metal tone.

[Netnorske]

+1 on the custom made V&H "Ultimate Baffles". They are not as loud as straight pipes, but have more roar than wrapped ones. They are very similar in sound to the HD putt-putt. Lots of members here have them and a drawing is available, but you have to have them made by a machinist. They are in a word....AWESOME..... http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif ;)!!!

[Jared]

+1 on the custom made V&H "Ultimate Baffles". They are not as loud as straight pipes, but have more roar than wrapped ones. They are very similar in sound to the HD putt-putt. Lots of members here have them and a drawing is available, but you have to have them made by a machinist. They are in a word....AWESOME..... http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif ;)!!!

I believe Chuckster is now making them too.

[Netnorske]

+1 on the custom made V&H "Ultimate Baffles". They are not as loud as straight pipes, but have more roar than wrapped ones. They are very similar in sound to the HD putt-putt. Lots of members here have them and a drawing is available, but you have to have them made by a machinist. They are in a word....AWESOME..... http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif ;)!!!

I believe Chuckster is now making them too.

That's great! I did not realize that....awesome!

[fubarjohnnyr]

Completely de-baffled. Full on auditory assault ::)

[mac]

I vote for "Ultimate Baffles" too.

[ringadingh]

You need to have some sort of a baffle in there, without anything you don't have any back pressure and the motor has no bottom end power.
Ive heard the Ultimate baffles and they are my favorite as well.
I have my regular V&H baffles wrapped in metal and they sound pretty good as well but not as loud.

[oldbikers]

I took my baffles out and removed the baffles where they step down then welded the to large ends back together and to me they sound like the UB's with out the cost.

[jestephens]

I took my baffles out and removed the baffles where they step down then welded the to large ends back together and to me they sound like the UB's with out the cost.

currently I run a sreamin' eagle muffler with a modified baffle, but regarding the V&H, I did the same thing as oldbiker and it souds great.

Shown here with sheet metal screws, before I had it welded.
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/jestephens/baffles/DSCN2493.jpg

[Jared]

I took my baffles out and removed the baffles where they step down then welded the to large ends back together and to me they sound like the UB's with out the cost.

currently I run a sreamin' eagle muffler with a modified baffle, but regarding the V&H, I did the same thing as oldbiker and it souds great.

Shown here with sheet metal screws, before I had it welded.
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/jestephens/baffles/DSCN2493.jpg

Looking at this, I bet it sound very very similar to the UBs.

[timebandit]

1 more for the ULTIMATE BAFFLES.

I think the names says it http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[jasperboy]

UB's when I'm solo, and packed V&H's when two up. Can't beat the sound from the V&H/UB combination, I get more compliments on that set up, even from HD guys at bike night:) The packed set up makes two up trips much more pleasent as shouting is not needed to communicate. Also note that an all day ride (once did over 450 miles with the UB's and they got a little tiresome) can be a bit much.

[paul]

I like the sound, look, and compliments I get from the UB's, but don't like the loss of torque below 2600 rpm. Right now, the stock VH without any wrap gives me the best of both high and low end power.

[ronnie]

I've got the V&H on my nomad, and had the same problem. To loud naked and to quiet baffeled. Someone on this forum advised me to wrap the baffel with sheet metal, which I did. I've been running like that for 4 years now, and like the way it sounds. It suits me fine. Just my two cents worth.

[Kawhead]

From time to time I've wound up behind d'baffled V&H pies on a charity ride or any ride and it was HORRIBLE! I'd never consider doing that to mine ever knowing how offensive it is. No reflection on the d'baffled folks, but a low rumble is what a lot of people like to hear and we need to do what we can to to have a positive public image as far as noise is concerned.

[Cajunrider]

I keep my UB's in nearly all the time. I will however ride the long trips with the V & H factory wrapped baffles. A little too loud pulling the trailer for long distances. The volume from the ultimate baffles bounces right back at us from the front of the alluminum trailer.

[jestephens]

I like the sound, look, and compliments I get from the UB's, but don't like the loss of torque below 2600 rpm. Right now, the stock VH without any wrap gives me the best of both high and low end power.

I forgot that I had also installed torque cones in the headers. I believe they were less than 10 dollars and don't affect the sound at all, just give some back pressure.

[rayski271]

UBs all the way

[timebandit]

I like the sound, look, and compliments I get from the UB's, but don't like the loss of torque below 2600 rpm. Right now, the stock VH without any wrap gives me the best of both high and low end power.

I forgot that I had also installed torque cones in the headers. I believe they were less than 10 dollars and don't affect the sound at all, just give some back pressure.

Jestephens, where did you get the torque cones?
Can you feel the improvements?

[jestephens]

I got mine at an HD speed shop. I originally installed them with no baffles, and it made all the diff in the world. :)

I may not have remembered the price accurately either??

This is what I found in 1 google search:
http://www.jpcycles.com/product/441-729?utm_source=googleproducts&utm_medium=cse

[fubarjohnnyr]

I forgot that I had also installed torque cones in the headers. I believe they were less than 10 dollars and don't affect the sound at all, just give some back pressure.

Jestephens, where did you get the torque cones?
Can you feel the improvements?

Any cones for 1 3/4" pipe should work. These (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360315010042&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWNX:IT#ht_500wt_937) on ebay may suite just fine as well.

[cocheese72]

Can anyone who has tried all the mods compare:

Stock V&H with Fiberglass
V&H Baffles, no fiberglass
V&H Baffles, with stove rope
V&H Baffles, with flashing

What is the deepest? What is the loudest? What is most quiet? Is there a big difference between the three?

[Blueraven]

Can some one explain in great detail, what a "WRAPPED BAFFLE" is and a "PACKED" exhaust. I am new to all this and I have the V&H with the PowerCommander. I don't want to screw things up. I want the power and the some what quietness. I want it ALL....lol

[ringadingh]

Can anyone who has tried all the mods compare:

Stock V&H with Fiberglass
V&H Baffles, no fiberglass
V&H Baffles, with stove rope
V&H Baffles, with flashing

What is the deepest? What is the loudest? What is most quiet? Is there a big difference between the three?
I have tried them all except for the stove rope which I don't think would be much different over the fiberglass wrapped baffle, a little too quiet for my liking. I am using the baffles wrapped in sheet metal and thay have a deeper tone to them and are not real loud unless you start twisting the throttle pretty good. The baffles with no fiberglass wrap are loader than without but don't have the deeper tone to them and don't sound right to me, you have to have something around the baffles.
The best sound Is the Ultimate Baffles for that nice deep rumble, followed by the sheet metal wrapped, and then the fiberglass and stove rope would tone it down the most.

[ringadingh]

Can some one explain in great detail, what a "WRAPPED BAFFLE" is and a "PACKED" exhaust. I am new to all this and I have the V&H with the PowerCommander. I don't want to screw things up. I want the power and the some what quietness. I want it ALL....lol

We are talking about the Vance & Hines pipes here, they have a removeable baffle that comes wrapped in fiberglass batting. Some guys replace the fibreglass with sheet metal and hold it in place with a couple rad clamps. Others have replaced the fiberglass with stove rope wrap that you buy at the hardware store. Others yet have installed Ultimate baffles that they made or purchased, or cut down the original baffle to about 4"-5" and reinstalled them.
With stock oem pipes you can do a debaffle which is explained on another post here. It is basically drilling out the baffle and running without one. A little loader over stock, but not unerving.

[Blueraven]

Thanks for that explanation. One of these days I will try the StoveWrap. But for know, the sound will have to do.

[nomad561]

Wrapped V&H are too quiet for me,the unwrapped baffles are OK but sound "tinny" to me,I haven't tried wrapping the baffles in sheet metal yet.
I usually run with my UB in but ,as Cajunrider noted, the UB tend to get a little loud on long trips pulling my trailer so I run V&H unwrapped with that setup.

[cocheese72]

Can anyone who has tried all the mods compare:

Stock V&H with Fiberglass
V&H Baffles, no fiberglass
V&H Baffles, with stove rope
V&H Baffles, with flashing

What is the deepest? What is the loudest? What is most quiet? Is there a big difference between the three?
I have tried them all except for the stove rope which I don't think would be much different over the fiberglass wrapped baffle, a little too quiet for my liking. I am using the baffles wrapped in sheet metal and thay have a deeper tone to them and are not real loud unless you start twisting the throttle pretty good. The baffles with no fiberglass wrap are loader than without but don't have the deeper tone to them and don't sound right to me, you have to have something around the baffles.
The best sound Is the Ultimate Baffles for that nice deep rumble, followed by the sheet metal wrapped, and then the fiberglass and stove rope would tone it down the most.

Thank you.

[socwkbiker]

Completely de-baffled and loud as all outdoors!

[boomerang2120]

For the sheet metal wrapped - do you just use something like roof flashing and wire or hose clamps to keep it in place ?

[ringadingh]

Roof flashing would be perfect, fasten it with 2-3 rad gear clamps.

[cocheese72]

I put on some flashing around them this weekend. It has a nice sound at idle and it is not really loud rolling on either. I need to park next to someone with Ultimates for a listen. I have heard dk dixies, but it has been a while.

[badnomad08]

I like the sound of my flashing wrapped baffles, but it still isn't the sound I was hoping for. I would really like it to have a lower tone. I want to buy a set of UB's, but can't seem to come across anyone making them on a regular basis. Is there anyone marketing these at this time or do we have to go to a machine shop??? Thanks in advance... Ride Safe!!!

P.S.- I checked Chuckster's web site, but did not see them on the products list...

[cocheese72]

Chuckster does, call him.

[ringadingh]

Joe makes them as mentioned, and there is a print of them on the Tech board if you want to make your own.

[ndbigfish]

I have tried several things with the V&H exhaust including stock, de-baffled, clean baffles, fiberglass cloth covered with fiberglass mats, UBs and stove gasket with fiberglass mat over the top.

I really wanted a deep rumble that didn't sound like a tin pipe. Also I wanted to be considerate when leaving the driveway at 6 in the morning, but I wanted to sound like a motorcycle too.

I found de-baffled too much for me and the neighbors. Stock was okay but the note was not a rumble. The packing eventually blew off of the stock baffle and that became too loud. Then I wrapped the baffles with heavy fiberglass cloth and fiberglass mat like it was when stock, but that only lasted about 6,000 miles and it started to blow away again.

UBs gave a better deep rumbling sound, but where tinny and seemed to ping during idle. The UBs became disagreeable during long 2-up rides too. Which brings me to where I am now. I wrapped each baffle with 1/2" stove door gasket wired to the baffle. Then I covered the gasket with fiberglass mat and wired it in place with mechanic's wire. This dropped the note to a rumble while still sounding like a motorcycle. It is not objectionable on long rides or to the neighborhood. It is loud enough to turn heads of cagers while traveling on the slab or in town. The combination has also not blown out of the baffle after a year either.

[cocheese72]

I have tried several things with the V&H exhaust including stock, de-baffled, clean baffles, fiberglass cloth covered with fiberglass mats, UBs and stove gasket with fiberglass mat over the top.

I really wanted a deep rumble that didn't sound like a tin pipe. Also I wanted to be considerate when leaving the driveway at 6 in the morning, but I wanted to sound like a motorcycle too.

I found de-baffled too much for me and the neighbors. Stock was okay but the note was not a rumble. The packing eventually blew off of the stock baffle and that became too loud. Then I wrapped the baffles with heavy fiberglass cloth and fiberglass mat like it was when stock, but that only lasted about 6,000 miles and it started to blow away again.

UBs gave a better deep rumbling sound, but where tinny and seemed to ping during idle. The UBs became disagreeable during long 2-up rides too. Which brings me to where I am now. I wrapped each baffle with 1/2" stove door gasket wired to the baffle. Then I covered the gasket with fiberglass mat and wired it in place with mechanic's wire. This dropped the note to a rumble while still sounding like a motorcycle. It is not objectionable on long rides or to the neighborhood. It is loud enough to turn heads of cagers while traveling on the slab or in town. The combination has also not blown out of the baffle after a year either.

Seems like everyone goes through multiple iterations trying to get the sound they want from these pipes. I am shocked they don't sound better right from V&H. The difference between a Vulcan 900 with pipes and the Nomad with pipes is vastly different. The Vulcan 900 thumps after pipes are put on.

I'd like to hear a sound clip of V&H where the guys have cut out the middle and pieced the ends together.

[mikeyger]

Is there much if any difference with the ub than vh with the fiberglass packing removed? which is louder? Thank you

[cocheese72]

There is a difference, that is why everyone tries taking the glass out, then moves to the next thing. UB's are louder and deeper but mellow out when riding.

[mikeyger]

i just ordered Joe's (chuckster) last one. thanks for your reply!

[ringadingh]

Is there much if any difference with the ub than vh with the fiberglass packing removed? which is louder? Thank you

With the packing removed the pipes sound hollow and tinny, the UB's give it deeper tone, are a bit louder, and do sound good to me, but it may get on my nerves for a long trip. I wrapped my baffles in sheet metal and it seems to be a good all around compromise for me. Not loud too loud under normal riding, but can bark a bit when I get on the throttle.

[mikeyger]

Rinading Hey friend, My new ub are on the way from Joe!

[cocheese72]

Is there much if any difference with the ub than vh with the fiberglass packing removed? which is louder? Thank you

With the packing removed the pipes sound hollow and tinny, the UB's give it deeper tone, are a bit louder, and do sound good to me, but it may get on my nerves for a long trip. I wrapped my baffles in sheet metal and it seems to be a good all around compromise for me. Not loud too loud under normal riding, but can bark a bit when I get on the throttle.

I have the sheet metal mod too. I don't think they are loud at all. It is about the best I can do besides cutting them up or going UB. I have the fairing/stereo setup so anything more would probably interfere with music.

[ringadingh]

Rinading Hey friend, My new ub are on the way from Joe!

I think youll find that they sound pretty good. I liked them when I heard them.

[badnomad08]

I ordered a set from Joe and they just came in today!!! I can't wait to get them painted and put in. I am going to paint mine flat black just like what we did on the bafflectomy for the stockers. It should look good and sound great. Thanks for all of the info guys. Ride Safe!!!