Blew out my Ultimate Baffle

[socwkbiker]

I recently bought a set of ultimate baffles but didn't install them until yesterday. I rode to work and came up with a few observations about them. My current configuration: I have an '05 with V&H debaffled pipes, Baron Air Kit and Power Commander. Ok, all that crap has been said.

Without the baffles, my baby is very loud. With the Baffles, I noticed a deeper rumble, but not quite the volume as before. An increase in the lower end power was very noticeable. Actually, an increase in overall power was noticeable.

However. When I got up this morning, I noticed the right baffle had it's little screen on the outside, but the left one was bare. Yes, my Strong Bear lived up to her name and blew out the screen. Sorry, I have to say I think that's f**king amazing that this bike has that kind of power.

Now, a few questions:

Since I bought these from someone else, who makes these again? And can I get a repair or replacement?

Has anyone ever had that happen before? If so, what did you do? Will it harm the bike to run it with only one screen?

Appreciate your thoughts.

[ndbigfish]

The screens were facing in and not out, right? Screens should be toward the inside. Cajunrider just bought stainless screens at Home Despot. Use the existing screen as a template and see if the holes line up on the other baffle, then mark and drill holes in the new screen. Still have the screws for attaching the screen to the baffle? If not, pull one from the other baffle and get some when you buy the new screen.

[Cajunrider]

Actually, I bought them at Lowes. They are 4" SS shower drain covers. I wanted the ones with the round holes but they didn't have them. I paid $3.98 for them and cut them to the size of the UB's using tin snips. After putting them on, it toned down the volume quite a bit. The sound wasn't quite right so today, I used the snips to cut out a few of the little bars that form the square holes. I enlarged the holes at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock. I'll keep experimenting with these until I get the sound right. If not, I'll keep looking for the round hole screens. The wife says they are loud sitting on the pillion seat. I gave her a pair of my ear plugs. And yes, the screens should be on the inside of the baffles. This allows you to grab the pin to pull them out. Joe (Chuckster) machined these .005" smaller than the V & H stock baffles which makes them so much easier to pull out and slide back in. He's the best! ;)

[socwkbiker]

i had the screens on the outside since that's how i was told to put them on. I'll have to check the screens to see if the screws are still there, but i doubt it. i may have to just pull them out.

[blowndodge]

doesn't surprise me as the way you've destroyed parts on your Nomad!!!

[AlabamaNomadRider]

Can't believe your Nomad had that kind of pressure. That is something else. You must have really opened it up to see what it would do.

I would PM Chuckster if you can't find anything else to fix it with. Don't know if any harm will come from only having the one screen. Pressure would probably be a little different from one pipe to the other.

[cactusjack]

Wow, you must have to duct tape your mitts to the handlebars so you don't fall off the back when you crack the throttle on that bad boy!

[Cajunrider]

When the dealer did the repairs, they must have replaced the V-Twin with a GE turbine.

[dkdixie]

Originally Posted by Cajunrider

Actually, I bought them at Lowes. They are 4" SS shower drain covers. I wanted the ones with the round holes but they didn't have them. I paid $3.98 for them and cut them to the size of the UB's using tin snips. After putting them on, it toned down the volume quite a bit. The sound wasn't quite right so today, I used the snips to cut out a few of the little bars that form the square holes. I enlarged the holes at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock. I'll keep experimenting with these until I get the sound right. If not, I'll keep looking for the round hole screens. The wife says they are loud sitting on the pillion seat. I gave her a pair of my ear plugs. And yes, the screens should be on the inside of the baffles. This allows you to grab the pin to pull them out. Joe (Chuckster) machined these .005" smaller than the V & H stock baffles which makes them so much easier to pull out and slide back in. He's the best! ;)

Mitch, its been my experience, and I've tried numerous different combinations, the more you open up the screens by making holes larger by cutting dividers, you lose back pressure. You will get to the point of screens having no effect on back pressure.

Like I told you in the PM recently, less holes makes a world of difference in both sound and performance.
The screens I'm using now, and the best I've found, have way less holes than screens you are using. Plus the holes are round and two different sizes.



Can't find the receipt with part number from Home Depot but I'll make a trip to HD soon and see if I can't find the number.
Also, IMO the screens work much better without the pins.

[just call me Mr. Hibbs]

I had this happen to my right side UB, screen was on the inside though, I grabbed the pin and pulled out the baffle and found the screen and two screws laying inside my pipe. :)Used blue locktite and reinstalled screen, good idea to use anti seize when reinstalling baffle.

[ringadingh]

I think you guys will find that its just the screws holding the screens are backing off causing them to fall off. Use some loctite and snug the screws good, and they should stay put.

[ndbigfish]

Mitch,
Have you ran down the road for several hours with the Missus/baffle combination? I had some issues there. Additionally the neighbors don't seem to care for them at 5:45; at least that is what I take from the scowls.

[timebandit]

I run them without the screens

[glassgod]

SWB
Sorry to hear you lost a screen off one of the baffles. I don't know who told you to install them with the screen facing the rear of the bike. This is the message I sent to you regarding their installation.



Message sent on Jun 24, 2010, 8:01am »

Remove the 2 screws from the bottom rear of the muffler, pull out the old baffle and insert
new one with the screen facing the front of bike, align holes and replace the 2 screws.

Rick

[cactusjack]

Ouch...someone can't follow simple written directions.