EMGO Mufflers - You'll get what you pay for!

[kboehringer]

XS Folks,

I installed a set of EMGO reverse cone mufflers on my XS11 a couple days ago. This is one of those products where you get what you paid for! These should not be referred to as "Mufflers". It would be much more accurate to refer to these as head pipe extensions as in stock form they provide little/no reduction in noise/decibel level.

I did some searching on the web and found multiple people trying all kinds of ways to reduce the volume from these. Unfortunately, I did this web search AFTER I had purchased them. Hopefully, I can spare one of you folks the trouble.

I pulled the guts out of them by pulling the end cap off and giving them a little tap inside with a punch. You'll note there is basically no insulation left in them. I don't believe they put much in there to begin with but I probably shot most of it out yesterday on a 90 mile ride.

This is only one side the other side had a comparable amount of insulation remaining....


The "FIX" (not really but I tried).

Fortunately for me I had a set of THRUSH glass packs in the attic sitting around that I would never use on anything so they gave their lives to the XS11's cause and to comfort my neighbor's ears...


Cut the end off to gain access to the packing and baffles....


The baffles in the THRUSH were about the some size as the EMGOs so I slit it length wise for use in holding the fiberglass wrap on the EMGO. I read others had used expanded metal from Lowes which would be just as good.



I swiped much of the fiberglass from the THRUSH mufflers and wrapped it around the EMGO baffle. I used the original wire from the EMGO to hold it all in position and keep it from getting "Blasted" to the end cap and out the end. This was described (similarly) in a web post I found on a Triumph web-site.



Once installed, the new packing and baffle made a "MODEST" improvement. NOT a significant improvement a "Modest" improvement.

If you're expecting a "MUFFLER" EMGO is NOT the route to take. If you want a shiny new extension for your head pipes and plenty of distracting noise.... Buy the EMGO's.

For me, I'll be saving my pennies for a set of REAL mufflers. I got what I paid for with these......Shiny head pipe extensions!

Respectfully,
Kurt

[donebysunday]

Ss wool

I re-pack the reverse cone (for a shorter system) and the Dunstall replica (for the longer) using stainless steel wool. I wrap the original baffle and wire it in place, so much it's hard to get the baffle back inside the shell. Works and sounds alright to me, I am deaf on the left and have 70% of my hearing on the right. This combination makes them sound pretty good,,,,, to me !

[natemoen]

Some have just shoved the glass pack into the "muffler" tube and screwed or tack welded it in place.

[kboehringer]

I re-pack using stainless steel wool.

Donebysunday,
I read a couple posts on other forums and some guys are using that commercial grade SS pot scrubber brillo/wool. I thought about official muffler packing from the Cycle shop(s) but none of them were open on Sunday in GA.

I may try the SS wool to shut this thing up a bit. Maybe that'll be better.

I will stand by my evaluation of this product 100%. If someone thinks they're getting a "Muffler" by buying one of these, they are absolutely going to be disappointed. Especially if they need to pull it/them apart and start stuffing them full of wool or fiberglass just to shut 'em up a little.

Sincerely,
KURT

[Rasputin]

I would guess the question to be asked would be: Did they fit ok? I will stuff celery into them as long as they are a proper fit and Work ok. I do not like loud but I can live with it for a while if the fit is right.

[MPittma100]

Muffler

I have had a few mufflers apart to be ceramic coated and had to deal with the packing. I found that using stainless steel tie-straps rather than wire or fiberglass string makes for a much more secure and better looking result.

I procured the straps from Summit Racing Equipment.

[kboehringer]

I would guess the question to be asked would be: Did they fit ok? I will stuff celery into them as long as they are a proper fit and Work ok. I do not like loud but I can live with it for a while if the fit is right.

Rasputin,
Actually, not well. The Yamaha head pipes are 1-3/4"(+/-) which is the largest diameter the "Mufflers" are supposed to accept. I had to use a pipe expander to get a little more I.D. on the EMGO's (not really much) so it would slip on. Without expanding they weren't going on without perhaps smacking them on with a hammer.

The clamps (although pretty chrome) will not "squeeze" far enough without distorting the clamp. The bolts (although also pretty chrome) are non-rated bolts (NOT grade 5 or grade 8). I fear if I crank on them any more they will absolutely snap. I've noticed one of them is stretched now.

I will have to replace the crappy clamps too.

Again, if your in the market for "CHEAP" mufflers, you'll get them with EMGO!

Sincerely,
KURT

[Rasputin]

I know they will be cheap arsed mufflers, but as an option to those who may need to go this route, the info you provide will be valuable. Off to get a couple of new bolts and the expansion thing may be just what the doctor ordered for some.
Not planning to have to use them but if I find a basket case that warrants using them for a quick cheap sale, well, no sense in good money after bad eh!

[BA80]

SS wool

done has the answer. I did this with a 4 into 1 muffler that was absolutely obnoxious and it toned it down pretty good.

The fiberglass won't last.

[kboehringer]

Time to PUNT!

done has the answer. I did this with a 4 into 1 muffler that was absolutely obnoxious and it toned it down pretty good.
The fiberglass won't last.

XS Folks,
I may give the SS wool a shot as a possible short-term fix for only a few dollars. However, it's basically time to PUNT and not invest any more amount of significant time in trying to make use of these. Learned a lesson and I need to move on.

The straight-through design of these mufflers may fit a chopper or one of those hack 'em up "Café Racers" or "Street Fighter Mods" but it does not fit my vision of an XS11. I remember the 11's as a CLASSY power house with smooth lines and a styling that was far ahead of it's time and the competition of the day they when were built. This thing is as loud as any Harley wearing drag pipes..... Sorry not my thing.

My plans...
Strangely, the Harley guys strip their well made and quiet OEM exhausts to get the noise I completely dislike. They toss their OEM pipes in the trash.... Well, I will be investing my time in the re-application of a set of OEM Harley pipes I received for free from a co-worker. Sure wish I hadn't spent the $100 on the EMGO's but I'll only have to put up with the noise for a couple weeks (at most).

With a little planning, a few modifications, a little SS tig welding, a little fabrication of supports, these OEM Harley pipes (see below) should provide the "Classy" look and sound I remember from the XS11.

Respectfully,
Kurt

[kboehringer]

Time to PUNT!

done has the answer. I did this with a 4 into 1 muffler that was absolutely obnoxious and it toned it down pretty good.
The fiberglass won't last.

XS Folks,
I may give the SS wool a shot as a possible short-term fix for only a few dollars. However, it's basically time to PUNT and not invest any more amount of significant time in trying to make use of these. Learned a lesson and I need to move on.

The straight-through design of these mufflers may fit a chopper or one of those hack 'em up "Café Racers" or "Street Fighter Mods" but it does not fit my vision of an XS11. I remember the 11's as a CLASSY power house with smooth lines and a styling that was far ahead of it's time and the competition of the day they when were built. This thing is as loud as any Harley wearing drag pipes..... Sorry not my thing.

My plans...
Strangely, the Harley guys strip their well made and quiet OEM exhausts to get the noise I completely dislike. They toss their OEM pipes in the trash.... Well, I will be investing my time in the re-application of a set of OEM Harley pipes I received for free from a co-worker. Sure wish I hadn't spent the $100 on the EMGO's but I'll only have to put up with the noise for a couple weeks (at most).

With a little planning, a few modifications, a little SS tig welding, a little fabrication of supports, these OEM Harley pipes (see below) should provide the "Classy" look and sound I remember from the XS11.

Respectfully,
Kurt

[BowlingSS]

I have a set of Harley mufflers I am planning on installing also.

Bill

[webbcraft2150]

EMGO makes a bunch of different mufflers. Some better than others I guess. I have run the "extra long" EMGO's for many years with no grief. Mine are a reverse cone WITHOUT removable baffles. Somewhat similar to a Dunstall muffler look. First set lasted over 8 years and the only reason I replaced them was the chrome was starting to take a hit, no rust thru. I did loose the crossover but was able to use the stock mounts, mounting points and clamps with a little tweaking. Sound was comparable to OEM and no rejetting required. Unless your a XScessive, they look very close to stock.

[rover]

Harley muffs-very good mod

I got a pair of Road King muffs last year. I put them on, had to weld a 1 3/4 piece of pipe on each side to reach from my modified downpipes. These muffs should have been made by Yamaha. They sound great, not loud, but have a pleasant snarl when pushed. No cross-over, bike pulls smoothly from fast idle to red line.