Will removing baffles completely on my 4-1 hurt anything?

[HiSPL]

http://www.3aracing.com/showroom/index.php?cPath=21_34

One of these Riceboy mufflers :-)

[gotjeepzj]

Not sure on that one. I figure that the engine is using that amount of fuel because it needs it with the exhaust off. Leaning out the mixture would damage things I figure.

When I took my muffler off I went up one size in main jets to compensate JUST IN CASE.

....I had a feeling something was going to lean out once I took off the muffler and didn't want to take any chances till I could put the can back on.

Ok so what about putting on pods to help correct? I'm waiting for the bike to cool before installing new plugs. I'll get a better idea with newer plugs. I can only clean old plus so much and $8 didn't seem too bad of an investment

[odl777]

http://www.3aracing.com/showroom/index.php?cPath=21_34

One of these Riceboy mufflers :-)

how can i order one of them? thanks

[khansmith]

Cutting the baffles out or driling holes in your exhaust will NOT make the engine sound deeper. It will do the opposite, actually. The baffeling and muffler packing is what deepens the tone of the engine.

I honestly think you are going the wrong way.

~Adam

I have to disagree with you. I have a MAC 4-1 with a removable baffle. I removed it and the sound spectrum that is now there is about two octaves lower than with it in. Thing sounds like a V-8 now!

[gotjeepzj]

I have to disagree with you. I have a MAC 4-1 with a removable baffle. I removed it and the sound spectrum that is now there is about two octaves lower than with it in. Thing sounds like a V-8 now!

Are you running anything or just open pipe? Have you noticed any extra fuel consumption.

[khansmith]

Are you running anything or just open pipe? Have you noticed any extra fuel consumption.

I ran the open pipe after reading this string to see what the big deal was about. When I had it out, I didn't noticed any extra fuel consumption. But to be frank, I don't care about the fuel consumption when I bought a bike with an 1100 size engine. If I were, I would buy a moped which gets great gas milage. I bought the 1100 for power, not economy. It would be like worrying about gas economy in a shelby cobra with a big block 427FE.

I actually found the engine sound to be civil under 4,000 RPM. No louder than a stock v-twin cruiser. However, it sounded AWESOME when I was on the highway when I broke 5,000 RPM (not even as loud as my buddy's fat boy with after market pipes with it's "baffles"). I have to say, I had a big grin the whole time. Never knew this bike could sound so....classic! Like the difference of Ferrari V8 vs Chevy V8.....the Suzuki had an exotic sound like that....just so unique. In fact my wife came out to the garage and said "wow..the bike sounds so sexy! What did you do to it?" Ah yeah...it was a great night

On final note... I figure if you want to run an open set up; be smart about it. Keep revs down in the neighborhood and have fun on the highway or up in the twisties. To me it is common sense. If you do that, you won't impact the perception of motorcycle riders to the great public.

Now if my damn neighbor wouldn't run his damn leaf blower at 9 am on a Sunday morning! Sheesh! He is giving us leaf rakers a bad name with his crazy loud leaf blowing ways!!

[mrT]

As the saying goes "If it's too loud, you're too old"

I personally ride for fun and not social acceptance...

[matterri]

Exactly !!

[flyingace]

As the saying goes "If it's too loud, you're too old"

I personally ride for fun and not social acceptance...

I myself could care less how loud someones pipes are. My concern is for motorcycling in general. Restrictions are placed on motorcycles and motorcyclists just because of a few riders with this attitude.

Check out how fast jet skis are disappearing from public waterways. Why? - because they don't ride for social acceptance either.

[khansmith]

Check out how fast jet skis are disappearing from public waterways. Why? - because they don't ride for social acceptance either.

Any reckless actions with any vehicle will create a negative perception be it massive 4x4's (red necks), aggressive SUV drivers (passive/aggressive yuppies), sport bike acrobatics on the road (hooligans), etc. I remember just 20 years ago, "cruising" with hotrods and/or musclecars in washington state became illegal in many areas (Renton, Alki, Rainier Beach, SeaTac, etc). Now, some cities are trying to sponsor these cruises again. What was "hooligan" by one generation's standards are often erased in time as the torch of dominance is passed to the incumbent generation. Heck, this is why we are now seeing Hemi Cuda's going for millions of dollars at auction! It is now an acceptable car and investment! This is illustrated by the fact that a shelby cobra with open exhaust (no baffles..just pipes off the headers) which is ten times louder than any Harley is completely acceptable however a motorbike will be construde as a social disgrace in the same breath. In fact, every year in London, Ohio, the town shuts down for a massive cobra show where people pay money to ride in a cobra doing a massive burnout down the street with the cops watching. In fact, more cops will let you off in a cobra doing a stupid act like roasting the tires than if you did the same thing on a sport bike.

I think it is safe to say that in the motorcycle world (and on this board) there are definite gaps in opinion around taste and form due to this passing of generations. When you are young, you are more concerned with an image of "cool" which is usually in direct contention with being "socially acceptable." Being "socially acceptable" as a teenager doesn't get you in with the "head cheerleader."

Now back in my day, I had to push my motorbike up hill both ways to my job at the coal mine .......8-[

[Detman101]

I have to disagree with you. I have a MAC 4-1 with a removable baffle. I removed it and the sound spectrum that is now there is about two octaves lower than with it in. Thing sounds like a V-8 now!

How did you remove the baffle. As much as I've tried I cannot get the baffle out! The only way I could run without the muffler was to take the can all the way off. I would love to hear my bike without the baffle and It would help to verify the "fuel-consumption" issue we have all been experimenting with.

Please tell me how you got the baffle out. I tried tapping it out from the other end of the can and that didn't work. I also pulled on it with vise-grips from the exiting side of the muffler can and that didn't work either...

Help please. I don't want to tear the thing up trying to get the baffle out.

[khansmith]

How did you remove the baffle. As much as I've tried I cannot get the baffle out! The only way I could run without the muffler was to take the can all the way off. I would love to hear my bike without the baffle and It would help to verify the "fuel-consumption" issue we have all been experimenting with.

Please tell me how you got the baffle out. I tried tapping it out from the other end of the can and that didn't work. I also pulled on it with vise-grips from the exiting side of the muffler can and that didn't work either...

Help please. I don't want to tear the thing up trying to get the baffle out.

The MAC 4-1 comes with this removeable baffle as a functional option. The baffle has one retaining screw at the end of the megaphone. I removed the megaphone and the retaining screw. I then took a 3 inch wooden dowel and slid the megaphone over teh dowel so I could push from the inside of the megaphone. Came right out with a couple whacks. If you have ever used a pole driver to put stakes into the ground, it was a similar action; the megaphone was the driver over the dowel.

[gotjeepzj]

How did you remove the baffle. As much as I've tried I cannot get the baffle out! The only way I could run without the muffler was to take the can all the way off. I would love to hear my bike without the baffle and It would help to verify the "fuel-consumption" issue we have all been experimenting with.

Please tell me how you got the baffle out. I tried tapping it out from the other end of the can and that didn't work. I also pulled on it with vise-grips from the exiting side of the muffler can and that didn't work either...

Help please. I don't want to tear the thing up trying to get the baffle out.

I couldn't get mine out for a long time so I came up with a new plan. I removed the can completely. Wrapped the muffler bracket in a thick rubber glove(this will protect the chrome) and placed it in a vice to hold it. Then take a large flat head screw driver and place it in the collector against the baffle. Give it a little tappy and it'll slide right out.

Notice: the baffle lock screw MUST be removed before all this. Good luck

[Detman101]

The MAC 4-1 comes with this removeable baffle as a functional option. The baffle has one retaining screw at the end of the megaphone. I removed the megaphone and the retaining screw. I then took a 3 inch wooden dowel and slid the megaphone over teh dowel so I could push from the inside of the megaphone. Came right out with a couple whacks. If you have ever used a pole driver to put stakes into the ground, it was a similar action; the megaphone was the driver over the dowel.

Ah ha, ok, I'll try that. I don't even have a baffle screw in mine. The rust holds it in. Hehehehehe...'

Though I'll probably need one once I remove the baffle.

Wait, to do this I'll have to take the can back off again....ah nevermind. I can't be bothered.
The next time the can comes off is when I get a sportbike can and mid-pipe for it.

[gotjeepzj]

It's not that difficult. You do have at least a spot for a baffle lock screw? What I did was unbolt the can and tap rearward on the bracket with a rubber mallet. The can comes off pretty easy. I then took some carb cleaner spray and sprayed/wiped down the 4 header pipes where they enter the collector. I then coated the 4 header ends in WD40 or whatever your posion is. this makes the can much easier to reinstall. I highly recommend removing the baffle or parts of it to get better sound while you're waiting on your muffler. After all this is free.\\/