Pulled the trigger on a BAK... finally

[redjay]

You wont be disappointed if you have an aftermarket fuel processor, and pipes.

[Ken Vega]

Got the BAK today in the mail. Very nicely machined with great instructions. I ordered Monday and received the kit Wednesday. Joe "Chuckster" Norris was a pleasure to deal with.Took me all of 40 minutes to install. The bike sounds great. I hear a deeper note from the exhaust. I only got to ride around the block, so I jhave not felt the full potetial realized by the intake. I can hear the intake sounds but nothing like loud hammering and valve noise like many complained of. To me it is making the mechanical sounds I would expect from a huge V twin. I am very happy right now. Cant wait to ride and throw the bike up on a dyno to see how much power she is making.*

Redjay, It is the Chuckster BAK that uses the stock dog bowl. I like the stock look.

[redjay]

The stock looking Chucksters kit is the one I had.

[Ken Vega]

I am glad I listened to you Redjay. The noise is nothing that would make me want to remove it. I am looking forward to a ride to feel the difference in responsiveness.

[redjay]

The most intake noise is in the 2500 to 2700 rpm range if I remember correctly.

[Ken Vega]

Originally Posted by redjay

The most intake noise is in the 2500 to 2700 rpm range if I remember correctly.

I did reach those RPMs but did not hear noise that I would call objectionable. My exhaust sound covers most of it and I am sure if I turned the radio on I would barely hear anything.

[CJ1700]

Awesome! Ill probably end up ordering one of these soon. Would you mind posting some pictures or maybe even a video showing the sound? I am also interested in what your EJK settings are. Have you noticed a big power difference? I also agree with you on the liking the "stock look". Does it change the look of the left side of the engine?

[Ken Vega]

Originally Posted by CJ1700

Awesome! Ill probably end up ordering one of these soon. Would you mind posting some pictures or maybe even a video showing the sound? I am also interested in what your EJK settings are. Have you noticed a big power difference? I also agree with you on the liking the "stock look". Does it change the look of the left side of the engine?

CJ, a video will be difficult unless I use my go pro. Just reving the engine does not produce noise. When the bike is under load it just sounds different is all. I did not pull the trigger on a BAK for a while only because I read all the posts saying it sounded like a jackhammer. I think it soumds the way a VTwin should. Some people prefer their bikes to sound like sewing machines. I am not one of those people.

Once I square away my EJK I will do a write up. The reality is I am close to the base settings it came with except green / blue is at .5

I may ride a little tomorrow, I will let you know about power feel. RacnRay invited me to put the bike on his Dyno,to test and evaluate. Maybe then I can really get the EJK tweaked to peak AFR readings using Rays dyno.

I left the stock cover on the left side. It can be removed but I like the balanced look of the stock dogbowls that let the world ,know its a 1700 bitches.

[redjay]

The left side does not change unless you want it to change. You can install the stock looking Chucksters kit and leave the left side intact.

[Ken Vega]

Originally Posted by CJ1700

Awesome! Ill probably end up ordering one of these soon. Would you mind posting some pictures or maybe even a video showing the sound? I am also interested in what your EJK settings are. Have you noticed a big power difference? I also agree with you on the liking the "stock look". Does it change the look of the left side of the engine?

This is what it looks like under the stock cover. The member I snatched this pic from cut the rubber stacks from the stock air box and glued them on. I did not do that. Seemed to me it would cause a small restriction, and if I need to go back to stock for any reason, I dont want to destroy oem parts.

[H8BUGZ]

Around the block is entirely different than cruise speed. Please report back about extended interstate speeds under constant load. My Cobra slip-ons are deafening after 5-6 hours above 70 mph! Nothing worse than being 500 miles from home with a bike you can't stand to hear anymore.

[Ken Vega]

I took the bike out today for a ride. My V&H slip ons are tame compared to the Samson exhaust I had on my 1500 classic. Your Cobras may have different style of baffles that cause droning. I was going 70 - 80 mph at cruise I barely hear the BAK. My exhaust hums nicely, when I get on it, it sounds louder than the stock intake but nothing I would call objectionable, and man the bike pulls like never before. Smoothe powerful torque with no hesitation. And I was riding with the radio off. Radio on I hear nothing but my tunes and the bike running through the gears. In addition, my MPG immediately jumped to 42 MPG. It never did that before unless I was cruising at 55 mph in 5th gear. The bike seemed to run cooler too, unless I was at along red light. It was about 85 degrees today and sunny.

I am very happy with the outcome thus far. Install was easy. To me the cons ie. Intake noise does not out way the Pros. The bike now sounds like a true V Twin and not a sewing machine. The intake "noise" does not sound much diffrent than the hypercharger I had on my 1500 classic. I am acustomed to motors that have sound because I drive a Charger R/T with a Hemi. My car has flowmaster super 44s with straight pipes. She drones a little at 2100 rpm but it is to the point I dont even hear it any more. I suspect this BAK will be no different. My .02 cents.

[redjay]

The intake noise at a steady cruising speed is no different than stock. Grab a handful and the intake noise rises, especially in the 2500 to 3000 rpm range.
It was music to my ears and not irritating like the constant drone of loud aftermarket pipes.

[Ken Vega]

Originally Posted by redjay

The intake noise at a steady cruising speed is no different than stock. Grab a handful and the intake noise rises, especially in the 2500 to 3000 rpm range.
It was music to my ears and not irritating like the constant drone of loud aftermarket pipes.

Completely agree Jay. I am glad I listened to you and not the nay sayers. The bike ran like a raped ape. The pipes dont bother me either.

[RACNRAY]

Can we now say..."loud intakes save lives!!!"

RACNRAY