Triumphrat

mbalce · 03-18-2008

Since exhaust, and how to make it louder and more free flowing seem to be a popular topic, I was wondering if anyone has any experience running straight pipes on a Bonneville?

Had a 1980 HD FX that had a Mikuni flat slide, dual plugged ported heads, single fire ignition and ran 38"L x 2"D open pipes that you could buy for about $40 a set back in 1986. Bike would occassionally backfire and spit flames out the pipes... Now that was cool, though it may be a contributing reason that I have some degree of hearing loss in one ear

That and too much loud rock n roll and believing that hearing protection while shooting was for woosies. Ahhh youth.

Anyway, I digress. Just thought of this because I was doing some work on the bike and had the TORs off and decided to fire it up with just the headers. Oh that open exhaust sound made me smile and tingle. Just dont know if my neighbors or LEO would take to kindly to it though a lot of the local harley guys run open around here. Back in the day, you get pulled over, they wrote you a fix it ticket, you put some glass packed baffles in, got the ticket signed off, you rode home and took the baffles out.

I know some back pressure is desireable for max performance on most street engines but somehow the urge to sacrifice a couple of hp just to get that loud barking roar does hold some appeal. But would not want to be unduly detrimental to top end life if that would be an issue.

lindsayt · 03-18-2008

I can't imagine being on the road for five minutes before you had a cop on your a$$ with straight pipes these days. It's not quite the same, but when I had the pipe fall off my two-stroke scooter it was so loud that I turned it off and coasted as soon as I could see a place to get off the road. Two-strokes don't have valves of course, so a four-stroke isn't *quite* as loud, but unless you're in the middle of nowhere (and you appear to be in Orange County, which isn't nowhere), it's just completely irresponsible to run straight pipes.

DrewDesign007 · 03-18-2008

Too loud -

sweatmachine · 03-18-2008

I've run 'em around the block, they sound like crap.

My bubs are actually louder than straight pipes (it seems anyway) and the sound quality is much better.

drlapo · 03-18-2008

I ran straight pipes on my Indian when I was 16 but then I grew up
today I cannot ride with Harleys as I find it too embaressing and most Harley riders are old enough to know better
badass, my ass, dumbass is more like it

DrewDesign007 · 03-18-2008

lol - this just keeps getting better.

GeoDiablo · 03-18-2008

Judging by the sound emitting from the average v-twin in my area cops aren't too concerned with illegal exhaust systems. They should be though. It annoys non-motorcyclists and gives us all a bad name. Motorcycles are not allowed in some places because of the noise associated with them. Cops should start writing very expensive tickets for noise violations. We'll call it a "Tax on the stupid" just like tobacco taxes. (I'm a smoker, I can say that.) Loud pipes don't save lives.

erikmustride · 03-18-2008

I like straight pipes. I'm building a set for my speedmaster to replace my bubs. The louder the better I say. I couldn't care less what the neighbors think about my bike. If you like 'em loud...make 'em loud

bonza · 03-18-2008

I think it would be way too loud and was once told that without a bit of back pressure you can burn out valves.

many years ago I often ran straight pipes on my Norton Commando.

sounded awesome and could be heard miles away, but use to spit and backfire when the throttle was released.

once rode up to the my girlfriends place in the country like this late at night on a hot summers night.

took her for a ride around the local area and on the way back to her house at about 1.00 am, a neighbour was waiting for me and she belted me over the head with a broom.

so the moral of the story, if you really want to piss off the neighbours...........

bonnevillebilly · 03-18-2008

I am running pretty much straight through.
I gutted every thing out of the Tor's clean through.
They are loud but, I think they sound great especially since
I did the 904 BB and installed the Mikuni carbs.
They have a very nice bark and growl to them.

Bill