I known that someone on here has some kind of idea that may help me out. My pipes are 3" HardKrome Big Straights. But 1st off... does the exhaust sound different riding on the bike than it does off? It seems as if there are some speeds my HK's sound like (as someone else put it on here) a hammer hiting a board. There are times they sound great. I love my R* and love to ride, but I am not mechanically inclined and tools in my hands become dangerous for me and my bike. There must be an easy way to solve this. Also, is there anyone with any knowledge of 3" HardKrome Big Straights that can tell me if removing the baffles might help? I would not have to adjust anything would I?

Phil,

The baffles on the 3" big straights are not something you can remove, as they are the end of the pipe that extends the headers all the way to the ends of your heat shields. Without the baffles, your exhaust will exit in the middle of your heat shields and really muck those nice shiny chrome shields up.

Most baffles insert into the pipe, HK 3" big straights baffles ARE the end of the pipe. The only thing you could really do would be to remove them, cut out the inner wall (they are double wall), the reinsert them onto the ends of the headers. I ran mine that way for a while, then reinstalled a stock set of baffles. They were just TOO loud for me with the modified baffles.

I had the problem you are talking about, that sounds like a hammer hitting a board. It went away after adjusting the valves (at about 18k miles).

How many miles do you have on the bike?

Also,, as to sound different on vs off the bike: Try switching bikes with a buddy and follow him for a mile or so. They do sound different off, and particularly from the rear. Loud as they come (for baffled pipes).

GRAM

Thanks Gram. I do only have about 3500 miles on the bike. It's just disheartning to spend that kind of $$ and not be 100% satisfied. If I was single it would not be as bad tho... the wife says I already spent to much on the bike and pipes. lol Just was looking for cheap ways to better it. When I mentioned $1700 for custom paint she said I better strike in rich in Vegas when we go next month. NEWS FLASH If I strick it rich, I am getting a second bike! lol

Hey Phil,
The HK 3" pipes, in my opinion SUCK when you sit on the bike. Sounded like an untuned tractor to me. I rode behind my bike for a while once and was almost brought to tears with how good they sounded. I just hated what I heard while I was riding it and personally thought they were too loud so I went to the Dooleys. If you can live with the sound, rest assured everyone else thinks they sound great as you ride by.

You've received some good answers but I'd just like to add that sound is very directional. You can really notice the change in acoustics if you have a subwoofer in your listening area at home by walking around the room.

Doc

Thanks all. Sorry about the delayed response. Subwoofer you say? Hmmmmm.... wonder if I could mount my Klipsch home subwoofer some way. (just kidding ... need it for the house.) Anyway... made it back from Vegas... did not do bad... won some... getting a Baron's BAK and my manifold ported tomorrow when I get my 4000 mile service done. I am hoping that makes a noticable difference . Excuse my ignorance, but I see stage 1 and stage 2 mentioned here and other places. Can someone fill me in on this? Thanks.<br><br>Post edited by: SemperFiPhil, at: 2005/10/16 08:11

For the 'Stage' info, check this out Phil .... http://roadstarclinic.com/content/view/50/105/

We were all 'ignorant' at one time and ignorance was bliss.

Doc