Muffler mods for more sound

[JOHNW67]

Hi

stock mufflers on my 1976 R60/6. Is there anything I can do to make them a bit more "throaty" sounding? I'm not looking for the Harley sound, but maybe more like a '50's single cylinder 500!

I don't want holes drilled through the outside if I can avoid it.

Thanks!

John

[lostboy]

An old trick is to run a 7/8" or larger hole saw in from the outlet side of the muffler to bore a hole through the center plate. This plate is held by the weld (visible on the shell) where the muffler goes from a cone to a cylinder. You'll need a long arbor to reach it.

[12907]

+1 on above. I've done this mod to my '83RS. Big improvement over original sound. Nothing obnoxious, just a nice mellow sound........Try it, you'll like it.

[JOHNW67]

Did that throw your carbs out of tune?

[12907]

Nope.

[JOHNW67]

Thanks for the tip!!

[razz2234]

Is there anyway you can illustrate that hole saw cut? Not real sure where you're talking about on the muffler...from the back or where the header connects?
Thanks:ear

[razz2234]

And also...how big of a hole did you drill in the plate if you don't mined me askin'?

[JOHNW67]

He stated 7/8" for the hole. Good question about the location, I assumed he meant at the tail end.

[12907]

Yep, tail end.

[Geoff]

Just beware that this "mod" will permanently disable the factory "Stealth Mode" on your bike and render the warranty invalid.:rocker

[12907]

This mod is 1 notch above stealth. And on my 26 year old bike the warranty is a moot point.........:nyah

[JOHNW67]

After examining the muffler today, that is a long arbor to reach the plate. Are they readily available at the hardware or do you have to go to a specialty store or make one?

[12907]

I've seen those arbors at Home Depot and Lowes. Not to sure about your mom & pop hardware store.

[razz2234]

So...if I have this right...you are basically hole sawing around the welded plate holding the baffle at the rear of the muffler? Doesn't this make the baffle flop around?

[12907]

No, your just punching a hole in it. Just make sure you get that drilled piece of metal out of the muffler, or it will rattle.

[vanzen]

After examining the muffler today, that is a long arbor to reach the plate. Are they readily available at the hardware or do you have to go to a specialty store or make one?

Bought mine at Sears –
a regular hole-saw
and " extensions" ...
needed 2 to reach the plate,
they fasten together to double the length.

[JOHNW67]

Bought mine at Sears –
a regular hole-saw
and " extensions" ...
needed 2 to reach the plate,
they fasten together to double the length.

Thanks! my initial internet seach did not get me very far. Looking forward to the new sound...now about that carb issue.

[kgadley01]

if all else fails, take a long screwdriver and a LARGE hammer. somethings gotta give. :D

[535is]

Another way to get to the same result progressively is to use a long drill bit around 3/8" or larger and start drilling holes in that plate. Try to aim outward instead of into the center so you can have a series of holes in a circle. Do them the same on each side. Start with one/side and then see how you like the sound. Add a second hole/side and test again. Keep going until you hear what you want to hear.

[JOHNW67]

Another way to get to the same result progressively is to use a long drill bit around 3/8" or larger and start drilling holes in that plate. Try to aim outward instead of into the center so you can have a series of holes in a circle. Do them the same on each side. Start with one/side and then see how you like the sound. Add a second hole/side and test again. Keep going until you hear what you want to hear.

Good point, you will have a hard time adding material if you don't like the sound!

[rbikes]

I know some guys take a piece of, like, iron plumbing pipe or similar, probably half-inch or three-quarters, and just HAMMER it on up in there till they hear and feel baffles bending and breaking. Personally, I like a quiet bike, but YMMV.

Curt

[mmmalmberg]

One might have difficulty accurately matching the sound of the left and right mufflers with this technique:)


"I know some guys take a piece of, like, iron plumbing pipe or similar, probably half-inch or three-quarters, and just HAMMER it on up in there till they hear and feel baffles bending and breaking. Personally, I like a quiet bike, but YMMV."

[47512]

The hole is cut in the baffel near the the front of the muffler ( the inlet end) The baffel is at the joint (weld) between the front cone and the staight part of the muffler, this baffel is acessable from the outlet end, not the inlet end. Hole saws and extentions are hardware store items. Don't get carried away with the hole size 3/4 to 7/8" is big enough, if you want more noise get different mufflers.

Ken G.

[lostboy]

No, your just punching a hole in it. Just make sure you get that drilled piece of metal out of the muffler, or it will rattle.

Or blow out the back when you least expect it!