Thanks to all.

I checked my '06 and there's just a small weld maybe 1/2" long between the cone and the center pipe. I think I can easily dremel that off and remove the cones.

Then, I'm going to start by drilling 3 - 1/2" holes at 12, 3, and 9 o'clock. I'll give it a listen and if I want more, I'll add 2 more holes at 6 o'clock. If I want more, I'll drill still more holes and cut out the material between them like roadstarnewbe did.

Thanks again for all the advice. I figure in a worst case scenario, I screw something up and buy new V&H longshots. I don't have much to loose by modifying these to see if I can save some cash.

Do I need to even think about re-jetting after stage 2 modification? If so, what jets? Brand? Any info?

I just did the stage one mod last week on my 07 R*S. I am very pleased with the sound (4- 7/16" holes in each pipe) I will add at least 2 more holes to each pipe. The sound is much better than the original stock pipes. I used a Dremel tool at high speed and bought a pack of the cut-off wheels to just cut the cone all the way around and then de-bur the inside pipe. It was very hard just trying to do the weld. Double up the cut-off wheels for strength- I used about 18 out of the 36 pack for the job. I admire the guys who drilled through the cone, but it was just too hard to do it that way. The rear plate drills very easily. I used a big magnet to get all the shavings out of the exhaust and a shop-vac to finish for the sanding grit.
OBMF
Here's a short video- the bike was stone cold and I had to use the choke in 40 degree weather, so the idle was high...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQfsumuTBco

I HAVE A 2001 ROAD STAR THAT I JUST HAD FOR ABOUT 3 WEEKS NOW, SORRY NO PICS. YET, BUT IT CAME WITH VANCE AND HINES LONG SHOT SLIP ON AND IT ALSO HAD THE BAFFLES TAKEN OUT. WHEN I FIRST HEARD IT AT THE DEALER IT SOUNDS REALLY GREAT, NICE DEEP SOUND, BUT I TO DON'T LIKE LOUD PIPES AND NOR DOES MY GIRLFRIEND AND I THOUGHT ONCE I RODE IT, THAT IT WOULD BE TO LOUD AND WAS ALREADY PLANNING ON BUYING BAFFLES, BUT NOW TO THE ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION, THE LONG SHOT'S WITHOUT BAFFLES ARE NOT TO LOUD AT ALL, I LOVE THE SOUND AND AM NOT PUTTING BAFFLES BACK IN.

It's funny that everone says that stage three sounds awesome and look at their sig pic and they've got aftermarket. Me included.

I wanted to lower my bags and the stockers wouldn't allow for that. Not to mention, sounding cool and looking cool are two different things.

dodadnules wrote:

Do I need to even think about re-jetting after stage 2 modification? If so, what jets? Brand? Any info?

You may need to adjust the PMS but you shouldn't need to rejet when changing or modifying pipes, only when you change the airbox to let it breathe IN better.

N0THD wrote:
It's funny that everone says that stage three sounds awesome and look at their sig pic and they've got aftermarket. Me included.

Not everyone.

dodadnules wrote:
Thanks to all.

I checked my '06 and there's just a small weld maybe 1/2" long between the cone and the center pipe. I think I can easily dremel that off and remove the cones.

Then, I'm going to start by drilling 3 - 1/2" holes at 12, 3, and 9 o'clock. I'll give it a listen and if I want more, I'll add 2 more holes at 6 o'clock. If I want more, I'll drill still more holes and cut out the material between them like roadstarnewbe did.

Thanks again for all the advice. I figure in a worst case scenario, I screw something up and buy new V&H longshots. I don't have much to loose by modifying these to see if I can save some cash.

Do I need to even think about re-jetting after stage 2 modification? If so, what jets? Brand? Any info?

Don't bother cutting the weld. Take a cold chisel and a hammer and hammer the chisel through the cone around the perimeter of the baffle pipe. Very soft metal. This will free the baffle from the rear cone. If you have 2008 or newer, you can then place the chisel or screwdriver on the lower edge of the cone and smack it with a hammer. The cone will break free. Grab hold of it with channel locks and pull it out.

These guys are right here, Stage one 1st, ride it a while. I liked stage one as much as stage 2, not a junkload of difference, I also have stage 3 pipes thanks to a generous member here, I put them on, and that was the end of sneaking around! LOL So I went back stage 2, but I like the option LOL A lot of people ask me what I have, they are amazed at the throaty sound, And....... now a days with all the laws concerning aftermarket pipes, Stage 1,2,3 pipes still have factory stamp on em, and that's what they look for.

Great instructions posted above, Just do it! It took me a lot longer than most, it was pretty hard on mine. I had to cut centers like a pie to get em out. And I used an Air cut off tool. Just keep working at it, you'll get it. Also long Metal drill bits were kinda hard to find. Especially the stage two one, but I would stop at stage 1. Very nice sounding. hardly a difference to go to stage 2. Stage 3, WOW!

I too recently did a stage one mod and I am real happy with the sound i got. One of my friends has the V&H Longshots on his R* and I personally think that my bike with the stage 1 modified stock pipes sounds a little deeper (IMHO better) than his. Just like oil, tires, etc.....it's a personal thing....what sounds good to me might not sound good to somebody else.