AIS removed, installed VandH longshot HS, and BAK smooth, jetting, runs like an animal, but not without MANY problems, @$#%q#@$%@q!%#@q!%$#@!% was yamaha thinking when they put loctite on EVERY bolt on the damn bike, even ones that are tiny and phillips? UUUUUUUGGGGGGHHHHHHH, totally awful awful awful experience, but now i'm done and it sounds and run AWESOME, my only problem is I'm getting what i can only describe as a very loud "flutter" out of the rear pipes on decel, anyone know anything about this?

I installed V&H Longshots on my 2001 Roadstar 3 years ago. I also installed an airkit and rejetted the carb at the same time. For me, it was a very difficult process as I had never undetaken a mechanical project like this, and I had a tough time getting the upper and lower pipes to match up and be the same length.

In order to make the upper pipe/muffler the same length as the lower one, I had to pull the muffler off the pipe just a 1/4" or so and then tighten everyting down. They looked fine, but I was getting a little bit of soot coming out where the muffler joins the rear header pipe. So- it leaked. And- I had the "flutter" sound on decel that I'll bet is the same thing you have.

I lived with this until a week ago when I pulled the pipes off and did it all over again. This time I sealed the pipe/muffler joint with Permatex high-temp Ultra Copper gasket maker/sealant. The noise is now almost completely gone. I'm told that on decel, if you have any leak in the exhaust, air gets sucked into the pipes and it causes this flutter or popping. That's my experience.

Is this permatex sealer safe for the pipes, and also will it come apart again easily? Does anyone have any other recommendations on this one. This flutter is driving me in sane and I feel like my bike sounds ridiculous, I'm very embarassed by it.

Just for a recap I have V and H longshot HS's with a BAK, ais removed. When you decel and extremely loud flutter/air sucking noise sounds like it is coming from the pipes, I want to fix this this weekend, and i'm about to the the copper gasket sealer fix as suggested above unless anyone has a better idea or a better sealer to use, thanks for all the help guys ^^

I suppose you could get some baffle packing material and wrap it around the joints real good and clamp it on there and go for a quick ride. Just to see if that stops the flutter. If it does then you could decide if you want to glue it together.

My guess is the Permatex will make removing the muffler very difficult. I also used it to seal the Hot Tips at the ends of the pipes and when I had to remove them it was pretty tough. But I probably used way too much. If you do it, use only a small bead. I might live to regret it, but for now, I know my leak is gone! I hope I never have to remove the mufflers!

Permatex Utlra Copper is OK. I've used some to seal the cone on my ProPipe.

Doc

I guess I need to update what I said before. The "flutter" or rattle on decel is still there. I went on a charity ride today and on decel, especially in the lower 3 gears, I heard this racket loud and clear. I know what you mean when you say it is embarrasing. Damn, I thought it had gone away.

I don't know what could be causing it, but I'd like to hear from anyone else who has or has had this problem. What the hell causes it?

well, I'm glad I didn't put the permatex on yet then ^^, I had a friend who's a long time biker look at my bike, and without riding or listening to it, he's convinced the noise is NOT coming out of the exhaust, but instead the air cleaner. Repeat, this is without riding the bike yet, but I suppose it makes sense more than the exhaust thing, especially since I have filter oil blown all over my pipes, I'm going to look into routing that crankcrase breather better, and see if it goes away any