 Customarily
Minded: February 2004 |
by Richard
Rose
Associate Editor
Beginner Bikes Magazine
| Pipe
Dreams |
Welcome to February's edition of Customarily Minded. Winter will
be drawing near to a close so in the meantime let's warm things
up with a hot topic from the customizing field: Pipes.
First off you'll want to decide on slip on mufflers or a complete
system. If you're just looking for a new style and a different sound,
slip-on mufflers are the way to go (assuming of course it's feasible
to use them on your bike, check your stock pipes first and see if
the mufflers can be unbolted or if they're welded on to the headpipes).
But if you want both style and sound as well as some performance
gains, the full system is what you're after. For optimum performance
gains look for an exhaust system that features muffler bodies, meaning
the muffler portion is of a wider diameter than the head pipe. Straight
or drag pipes won't offer the same results as a muffler bodied pipe,
since the baffles of a drag pipe actually restrict the airflow (the
baffle diameter is smaller than the headpipe diameter). The baffles
in a muffler body are typically the same diameter as the headpipe
(sometimes larger, and this doesn't restrict the air flow like a
baffle in the drag pipe would. Removing the baffles is a heavily
debated topic, and while this will serve to open up that airflow
on the straight/drag pipe you also lose back pressure and performance.
Simply put, the drag pipes should only be considered more for looks
and sound than performance, as most people's opinion rests with
the mindset that the drag pipes not only offer the most clean and
smooth looks but offer the sound that cruiser enthusiasts love.
As far as sportbike systems or mufflers go, for the most part this
won't be an issue as most of the aftermarket companies offer mufflers
and systems with a full sized end can.
A highly debated topic concerning exhaust is whether or not to rejet
(on a carbureted bike). Some say yes others say no. Most exhaust
manufacturers will recommend rejetting the carb(s). In my eyes,
if you're simply swapping out the exhaust you don't need to rejet,
although it is highly recommended for optimum performance gains.
Recommendations are just that, remember when you were in the market
for that beginner bike the salesperson recommended the big 1800cc
Maxi-model?At the very least, the pilot jet(s) should be adjusted
to compensate for the new airflow. One thing to keep in mind, if
you change or alter the air intake a rejet is a must, so if you
swap out pipes and a new air kit the rejetting is definitely in
order, but if you swap out only pipes or mufflers and want to purchase
an air kit later on down the road it's wise to hold off on the rejetting
and simply adjust the pilot jet(s), or else you'll be rejetting
twice.
One final item I'd like to point out is research. Don't buy the
first style of pipes/mufflers you run across. You'll want to delve
into this end of the exhaust mods before committing yourself. Ultimately
the exhaust system you opt for will define the overall "personality"
of your customized bike. In other words, a mean and nasty set of
growlers won't compliment a bike with luggage, backrest, and windshield,
nor will a mellow sounding system do much for a hot rod either.
Hit the dealerships frequently and hunt down identical model motorcycles
with aftermarket exhaust already installed. Check the parking lots,
used bike area, and the service areas for such machines, and when
located get the owner, sales person, service writer or tech to fire
it up for a live demo. If the bike is in the service bay make sure
you realize that it will sound differently in the confined area
due to the echo effect, so it's best to sample these exhaust sounds
outside if possible. Wait until you've sampled as many systems as
you're interested in so you can choose the one that both looks and
sounds the best. Because nothing is worse than investing $400+ into
an exhaust system and having someone pull alongside you at a stop
light with pipes that you end up liking better.
Until next time, keep those exhaust notes flowing.
When associate editor
Richard Rose isn't blowing smoke out of his end can, he answers
email at rich@beginnerbikes.com |
Bike
Of The Month |
Click to enlarge...
This month's menacing
machine is one of Honda's 750 Shadows featuring a Spirited set
of stax. The bike remains clean and uncluttered, following one
of the custom world's favorite "less is more" trends.
But one thing makes this bike stand out in the crowd, and hands
down (or over your ears) that would have to be the killer set
of custom fabricated upswept groove tubes.
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