modifying my cobra pipes

[JdubsVTXXX]

i just bought my X 1300C a couple weeks ago and it came with cobra pipes. im not a big fan of the way they look or sound, but they are better then stock. after looking through some of the exhaust threads, i think i really like the look of the rineharts the most.

Question:
my cobra pipes are the kind that come together in 2 pieces about half way down the pipes. i noticed that if those end pieces were unbolted and taken off, they would look very similar to the rineharts. i understand that these end pieces on my cobras are probably the mufflers(i think?), but would it hurt anything to remove them? thanks:patriot:

[Retro Rich]

Well, "technically" you could consider it a muffler--it is the section that the baffles are in. Have you tried modifying the baffles? If I remember correctly, some guys take the packing out/off of the baffles on cobras to increase the volume/sound. If you run with just the "header" pipe, you'll have really no backpressure so you'll definitely have to turn the idle up. Will you hurt anything--well, probably not. I doubt you'll want to run in that way for long though.

Rhineharts are one of the sweetest, best performing pipes out there IMHO for the 1300 (and a lot of other bikes)---very popular with the HD crowd. They look great on a C model too. But, they are one of the pricier ones out there. If you want, send a PM to Scar--he found somebody who has better prices than just about everyone out there on Rhineharts if you're interested.

RR

[Stiletto]

I've got the Cobra slashcuts (slip-on's) on my C and I've been toying with the idea of removing the baffles. The only problem is...I'm a mechanical retard and terrified of touching my bike with a tool. Simply for the fact that I dont know the repercussions of my actions.

If I remove the Baffles will I have to re-jet?

Can removing the Baffles have any negative effects? Such as Blueing the pipes, or anything else damaging?

It "looks like" there are just two bolts in the pipe holding the baffle in place...is it really as simple as removing two bolts? Or do I need to take the whole thing apart?

[JdubsVTXXX]

My cobras are actually blueing pretty badly. Maybe the previous owner had rejet the carb incorrectly? I don't know. But I'm looking for alternatives instead of just buying a new(expensive) set of pipes. That's why I was wanting to remove the slip ons and possibly wrap the remaining portion of the pipes with black header wrap. That way I cover up what's already blued.

[Retro Rich]

If I remove the Baffles will I have to re-jet?

Can removing the Baffles have any negative effects? Such as Blueing the pipes, or anything else damaging?

It "looks like" there are just two bolts in the pipe holding the baffle in place...is it really as simple as removing two bolts? Or do I need to take the whole thing apart?

No, removing the baffles won't cause them to blue suddenly or anything else--actually, it will be less restrictive so it should reduce the amount of backpressure and heat build-up...technically speaking. And yes, very simple like you've found--remove the two bolts and you can remove them. If you don't like the sound, put them back in, line up the holes and put the bolts back in (I'd use a little anti-seize or a dab of grease on the threads, since moisture/heat can cause corrosion on them--just naturally). You shouldn't have to re-jet with removing baffles--might need to turn up the idle a little bit after you remove them, could drop a little due to reduced backpressure in the pipes/engine. And, it MAY lean you out a little more but you can just adjust the A/F out like an 1/8 of a turn at a time if it would start popping/lightly backfiring on hard deceleration.

Overally, nothing to be intimidated of or scared by at all--if you start doing it and get concerned, just post back and we'll walk you through it.

RR

My cobras are actually blueing pretty badly. Maybe the previous owner had rejet the carb incorrectly? I don't know. But I'm looking for alternatives instead of just buying a new(expensive) set of pipes. That's why I was wanting to remove the slip ons and possibly wrap the remaining portion of the pipes with black header wrap. That way I cover up what's already blued.

Well, it could be jetted wrong and I'm not sure if Cobra's have a separate heatshield or not (never owned a set). If the heat shield isn't a separate piece from the pipe (i.e.-it's not two separate pieces), then they could blue just from use with even proper jetting. Good idea on wrapping them; very OCC/WCC! Looks good with the right "theme" on a bike.

[JdubsVTXXX]

Stiletto:

I just took the baffles out of my cobras today. Overall I'm a little more satisfied with the sound. Slightly louder. But nothing ear shattering. BTW, they make spikes for the bolts that hold the chrome bezel on top of the tank. ;)

Rich:

Thanks again for the advice. You're right about the wrap looking good as long as it fits the theme. And considering I am about to black everything out (engine, powder coated wheels, headlight), I think it'll look pretty good. Have you had any experience with header wrap? It seems pretty straight forward. But then again, who knows?

[Retro Rich]

No personal experience, but everything I've read is like you said--pretty straight forward. Looking forward to seeing the final "blacked out" product. Did you see that set of black powdercoated C wheels the guy on the vtxoa had for sale? He dropped the price pretty low from what I remember, and they looked to be in great shape.

[JdubsVTXXX]

No, I actually haven't been around that site much. I really am fond of this one. Needless to say, I haven't seen those wheels. Did they look good? I'm slightly apprehensive to powdercoat them because I don't know how it will turn out. How much was he trying to sell them for? I got a quote to PC mine in 'mirror black' for at the most, $150 for both.

[Goldsmith]

Big-X had his p. coated and they look great. You may want to ask him how they are holding up. I imagine if he will ride in the 30's he has got many miles on them now.

[Retro Rich]

I think the guy on the vtxoa had them priced at $350 for the set, plus S and H, but the tires were included on both. I think they looked good in all honesty--but, you have to get the right "theme" going for it to look right on a bike His was all orange and black, barely any chrome/"silver" left on the bike. That price doesn't sound bad if they stand behind their work.

[Stiletto]

BTW, they make spikes for the bolts that hold the chrome bezel on top of the tank. ;)

Thanks for the heads up!!! I'm crawling all over the internet now looking for them.

[JdubsVTXXX]

Thanks for the heads up!!! I'm crawling all over the internet now looking for them.


this may be something youre interested in..

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Honda-VTX-1300-2003-06-Chrome-Fuel-Tank-Spike-Bolts_W0QQitemZ270095947529QQcategoryZ35586QQssPag eNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


also, if you have the stock air box, the guy have matching spike air box bolts. just a litte FYI

[Stiletto]

:( I'm going to have to keep an eye out for that trader. Right now he's not selling anything at all for the 1300. Those tank spikes would look SWEET. I will have to wait for him to advertise the air box spikes so I can see how they look.

Thank you BIG time for showing me those! I'm always on the lookout for some more spikes! Winter is my upgrade season.