Exhaust "Equalizer"

[60ratrod]

if it's leaking like crazy there, then yeah the gaskets are more than likely shot. i recommend trying to replace the gaskets rather than capping off the sides, because the bike will run better due to better exhaust scavenging from equilizing the exhaust pulses.

[Steve]

i recommend trying to replace the gaskets rather than capping off the sides, because the bike will run better due to better exhaust scavenging from equilizing the exhaust pulses.

Sorry, but this does not make any sense to me.

If it were a crossover or 'equalizer' between the two sides just ahead of the mufflers, it might make sense, but these 'equalizers' are only between cylinders 2 and 3. Whether the 'equalizer' is there or not, the exhaust flow from cylinders 1 and 4 is unchanged, so why would changing the 'equalization' between cylinders 2 and 3 make that much of a difference.

My personal opinion is that the crossover is there merely to change the sound that comes out the back. Instead of hearing two firing impluses from the left pipe, then two impluses from the right pipe, it softens the blow a bit by directing some of the flow.

Listening to the output of the pipeS (with the crossover), you would hear:
(Left side) .................. (Right side)
BANG (as #1 fires)
BANG ..(as #2 fires) BANG
nothing (as #4 fires) BANG
BANG ..(as #3 fires) BANG
BANG (as #1 fires)
BANG...(as #2 fires) BANG
nothing (as #4 fires) BANG
BANG ..(as #3 fires) BANG

That sounds just a little different than
BANG (as #1 fires)
BANG (as #2 fires)
BANG (as #4 fires) BANG
BANG (as #3 fires) BANG
BANG (as #1 fires)
BANG (as #2 fires)
BANG (as #4 fires) BANG
BANG (as #3 fires) BANG

Just my opinion, but you are certainly entitled to it.

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[lemonshindig]

No sir. 1 & 2 are equalized at the collector, as are 3 & 4. The two half-systems are equalized by the H-pipe between 2 & 3. It changes more than the sound.

[Steve]

No sir. 1 & 2 are equalized at the collector, as are 3 & 4. The two half-systems are equalized by the H-pipe between 2 & 3. It changes more than the sound.

I will respectfully disagree with you.

1&2 might be "equalized" at the collector, but 2&3 are joined quite a way before that, so you are not really adding #1 or #4 to the "equalization" at all. If the two sides were joined with an "H" pipe after the two collectors, I would heartily agree. In this case, though, I will hardly agree.

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[Wingsconsin]

I will respectfully disagree with you.

1&2 might be "equalized" at the collector, but 2&3 are joined quite a way before that, so you are not really adding #1 or #4 to the "equalization" at all. If the two sides were joined with an "H" pipe after the two collectors, I would heartily agree. In this case, though, I will hardly agree.

.

I see what you did there....

[Steve]

Thanks. Nice to see the effort was not un-noticed.

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[gspower]

I know it's been awhile as I've been really busy moving but thank you to everyone for their input. I'll be putting the beast back together in the next few weeks and will probably be a little more active on the forums again as a result. I'm painting them BBQ black before reinstalling, though. Will post pictures...