drilling stock exhaust baffles

[tab1324]

Wondering if anyone has drilled out their stock exhuast baffles. The V-twin guys do this all the time for a deeper toned bike. Wondering what it would make this bike sound like

Tom B.

[ratbyk]

Exhaust

If you have a stock exhaust system in good shape leave it original. Don't hack it up by being cute and drilling holes in it. If you want more noise then change the entire system. If you don't want to spend the money on an aftermarket exhaust system I'm sure you can find someone on this Forum who will trade you a good 4 into 1 system for your stock system.
If you do drill, it will turn out to be a crappy sound with a hiss and a whistle in it. It will sound like it is time for you to buy a new exhaust system.
Ken/Sooke
78E Ratbyk
82 FT500 "lilRat"

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Ken,

Does that hiss sound only pertain to "Stock" mufflers that are drilled?? I drilled my 4-1 megaphone out, just put four 1/4" diameter holes in it, and it did deepen the tone, took out that high metallic whine/ring that it had before!

I liked drilling it, cause IF I didn't like the way it sounded, I could just put some bolt and nuts in the holes to seal them back up!
T.C.

[ratbyk]

Drilling Exhaust

TC, on an aftermarket system do what you want. If you have a good original system please leave it stock. Many people are trying to restore these old work horses and would pay a premium to get an original unmodified assembly. You cannot buy them any more. The good ones that are left out there are it. There is no more.
The only experience I have had with drilling was on a 79 CBX that I had bought new. After a couple of years and around 40,000 km I wanted a deeper more sporty noise. I drilled those beautiful 6 cylinder pipes. It lost it's beautiful 6 cylinder howl. Sounded wheezy sick (****ty). I was mad at myself for having done it. In 81 I bought another new CBX-B and got that sweet howl back. Sold the wheezier and put my mistake out of my head until this new thread started. Brought back a flood of bad memories.
There are no more originals except what people already own. If you don't want it let someone else have a chance at it. Don't destroy it.
The old story, don't crush it., restore it!
Ken/Sooke

[xswilly]

I drilled mine years ago
when my first set developed a hole in the bottom of one of the mufflers
i put about 8 3/8 holes in a circle at the end of the muffler
it sounded real good
but in the end
it attracted the local cops
and the local mc shop didn't want to inspect it
even when the harleys are 10 times louder
but it does sound real nice

[skids]

If you drill out the baffles in a stock exhaust, you just might find that you can't make a jetting change to compensate...

[nashville_bill]

A PO had drilled eight holes in the end of each of the mufflers on my '81. I welded them shut and I am much happier with the sound, or lack of, now. But I'm 56 now and probably would have liked it louder years ago.

[Meista007]

If you like it louder and deeper then drill it out.
I like my bike loud and think it sound the best right out of the headers. Even though i don't run it that way.

[xj11john]

T.C.

Had to resurrect this thread to ask you if you have or could take of pic of the holes you drilled in you 4-1 exhaust and any other comments you may have on it.

I am thinking of doing this, would I have to go up any more sizes on my mains, I have went up from 117.5 to 122.5 since I have ind. k&N style filters and 4-1 exhaust.

thanks in advance

[DiverRay]

John,
I also drilled my stock mufflers, years ago on my first xs1100. If you look at the back of the stock muffler, you will see indents spaced around the outside. I just drilled 4 1/4" holes, at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock on the mufflers. It deepened the tone, and the noise level went up very little. My bike was stock, and it didn't do anything for the jetting.
I did notice it ran a little faster, as I was able to hit an indicated 130 on a full dress xs1100.
Ray

[strom]

Cmon, dont do it... some of us would gladly put original system on, but they are not as avaliable as stock 4in1 systems. If your exhaust system is in good condition, you can easily exchange it for a new 4in1. But not if it has been modified.

LP

[scalded dog]

Their is a premium set of Stock exhaust on e-bay, right now, already up to 200+ 150 shipping. Wish I had the money to get it, I would store it for later. Later 'Dog

[xj11john]

Strom,

If I had an original I doubt I would drill it, as I think they sound good. But I have a 4 into 1 and it sounds like junk, especially at passing speeds, sounds kind of like an old RM80 when the power band kicks in, but not that good!

[xj11john]

Scalded dog,

I feel your pain, I also would like to snap up a nicer exhaust but just spent about $150 on stainless lines, so for now I must be satisfied, and I'll probably drill my megaphone a bit.

If/When I do, I'll let Ya'll know the results, but if anyone else has done this, how did yours turn out?

[xs650mike]

What some of the XS650 guys do on their Specials is to take a rod (preferably tapered) and a hammer and knock the last baffle in the muffler loose and fold it back against the pipe. Gives a nice deep rumble that's not too loud. One of my friends did this to his XS650SH and it sounds really nice. Don't know what an XS11S would sound like if you did this and, unlike drilling which can be welded up or bolted, it can't be reversed. Me, I'm keeping mine stock, I like the roar that the airbox makes when the throttle is opened. Muffs on one of my 650s are rusted out, sounds great but loud enough to really annoy the neighbors and the jetting's too lean now.