Drilling mufflers

[rhoderunner]

OK several threads talk about drilling the stock mufflers to increase the sound. As a newbe to the VTX world how and where are they drilled at the end plate or elsewhere ?? How many holes and what size ( not too loud just a nice rumble maybe)?? Would it be better (if possiable) to rework the baffles ??
Thanks for the info and help.

[07meaniegreenie]

yes just drill 7 15/32" holes in the end plate gives it a little rumble but i took an 18" 3/8" drill bit and punched the front baffle gives it a more noticeable rumble and i think it makes the bike run better i am content with it for now but i am a youngster so i am installing sideburners because i want to be loudGERSTY OUT

[rhoderunner]

07meaniegreenie Can I assume that you mean you removed the mufflers and drilled the inlet end ??
Rhoderunner

[07meaniegreenie]

rhoderunner if you look at my photo gallery i have uploaded some pics of where i drilled the holes in the end plate i hope these help if you have any other questions feel free to ask

http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/z297/07meaniegreenie/

heres the link its the first picture hope this helps

[rhoderunner]

07meaniegreenie I think I asked the question wrong. I ment the Front baffle not the end plate, I got that one figgered out. Did you drill the front baffle through the rear of the muffler or did you actually remove the muffler and drill it from the inlet?? I do not know how many baffle plates there are in the muffler. Sorry about the confusion, I do sometimes think I say one thing and mean another. Hope I am clear this time !!

[07meaniegreenie]

im sorry i didnt understand the question i just stuck the bit in the middle hole that was already in the pipes and punched it with a 18 inch 3/8" drill bit hope this helps sorry for the confusion

[rhoderunner]

07 Meeniegreenie: Thanks it worked great !! love the sound. My son and I went to Laconia Yesterday (Happy fathers day) Great tone all the way both ways.

Thanks again

[txdawg]

Can you do this same mod on an 1800 Retro? If not, why not? Thanks!

[crackity]

Hey Greenie,

Did you do the end plate first? Or did you do it all in one fell swoop? I have the 2005 so my end plates look a little different anyway, but I was wondering if there was a noticeable difference in doing just the end plate vs. punching the front baffle also???
I'm really impressed at the difference doing just the end plate has made. If you've noticed a sizeable difference, then I may have to to and get a longer drill bit also.

Thanks for the input!

[crackity]

I'm sorry, I meant Gersty. Not Greenie. :)

[rhoderunner]

crackity
I just drilled my center baffle and love the sound so I did not drill the endplate of the muffler. The only change I noticed was the sound. No other adjustments were needed or done, other than " checking out the ride" if you know what I mean !!!

[crackity]

How long a drill bit did you use? I know that Gersty said he used an 18" long one. How far up is the front baffle? and what size did you use? If you've only done the front baffle and have seen a positive result. I've done only the end plates and I've seen a positive result. To me that suggests that there may be more to be had by doing both! Thanks man!

I ended up buying 1/4 and 1/2 inch Titanium bits that went through the end plates like butter. Since I was seriously considering using a hole saw to just remove the entire baffle, I threw caution to the wind and just went with the 1/2 inch. :) Since the end plates on the 2005's are apparently different than the 2007's I couldn't go in a nice neat circle. I tried to match the pattern on both pipes though. Not quite as pretty to look at with the neat circle, but I can't get over what a difference such a small mod can make.

I came so close to not doing it at all because I read so many posts from others that down played the end result. I guess it all comes down to expectations. I had very little and was greatly surprised!

In fact that, that has been one of my rules to live by for some time now.
"Don't expect much and you will rarely be disappointed." :)

[07meaniegreenie]

i used the 18 inch bit to get the front baffle it is in there a ways, then at the bottom of the pipes in the six o clock position there is a tube you can see therough the holes you drilled or take the mufflers off and use a flashlight and you will be able to see this i took the drill bit and punched a few holes through the cap that was on the tube it makes the bike pretty loud but it sounds good and it runs like a raped ape

[.One.of.a.kind.]

I have a 06 1300C. I heard somewhere you could remove the baffles...
Anybody have a clue? Still a little hesitant about the Clayton mod.
I want more sound, but not too much.
My last bike was annoyingly loud :spank: (if you can imagine that). On long rides the sound would get aggravating...

[Spotor1]

hey guys anyone know what your supposed to do or what happens to the shavings from the bit? I have not seen one post that mentions the shavings.
Especially if you are drilling the inside baffle and not removing the "caps" to get at it.

Ray

[lzt0d2]

I would say not to worry about them. They should just blow out or get stuck in there. They will not get sucked backed into the engine if that is your concern.

[marlon5656]

im sorry i didnt understand the question i just stuck the bit in the middle hole that was already in the pipes and punched it with a 18 inch 3/8" drill bit hope this helps sorry for the confusion
please help i have a F and this sounds like a way to go since the pipes are sooo expensive. please help my confussion cause i am really new to this. please let me know if there is a link that one can look at. thanks in advance

[JohnBoy21]

I know the feeling their is a thread in the forum section that details exacly what to do just did it my self this weekend and wow cant go wrong

[marlon5656]

I know the feeling their is a thread in the forum section that details exacly what to do just did it my self this weekend and wow cant go wrong
which one cause most of you guys have a r model and i have a f anf the ends are different. should i remove the ends and the whole muffler. i SOO lost on this project to my bike. i don't want to mess it up. i am going to get a 18 inch 3/8 drill bit, that's the one right? titanium?:cheers:

[Bassdude404]

Marlon..You have an 1800..I'm not real familiar with those..Do you have a 2 into 2, or 2 into 1 setup???..If it's the 2 into 2, then it should be like the 1300 pipes..Check out the other thread titled "I drilled my pipes!!"..It's a long read, but it's got the different styles of pipes with pictures, and should answer all of your questions..I have a 1300R, and absolutely love the sound now...

[marlon5656]

yes just drill 7 15/32" holes in the end plate gives it a little rumble but i took an 18" 3/8" drill bit and punched the front baffle gives it a more noticeable rumble and i think it makes the bike run better i am content with it for now but i am a youngster so i am installing sideburners because i want to be loudGERSTY OUT
what and how do you punch the front baffle.

[marlon5656]

i have two pipes. but the end is like a machine gun not like the r type. how does one do the front baffle.

[Bassdude404]

Marlon, check out this thread link... http://www.vtxcafe.com/showthread.php?t=855 Lot's of info, pics, soundbites, and praise on this mod..The places being drilled are the endplate, and the next baffle in past the endplate....I think there's also a link in there to a picture of a 1300 muffler cut open like a gutted fish, to show a cross section of what's inside the stock mufflers...Your 1800 pipes should be very similar....

[marlon5656]

Marlon..You have an 1800..I'm not real familiar with those..Do you have a 2 into 2, or 2 into 1 setup???..If it's the 2 into 2, then it should be like the 1300 pipes..Check out the other thread titled "I drilled my pipes!!"..It's a long read, but it's got the different styles of pipes with pictures, and should answer all of your questions..I have a 1300R, and absolutely love the sound now... the f is two pipes but the end is different.

[Bassdude404]

the f is two pipes but the end is different.
Can you post a picture of what yours looks like???..That would be a big help for us to help you....

[marlon5656]

Can you post a picture of what yours looks like???..That would be a big help for us to help you....
i dont know how but it is the factory pipes at honda.com:cheers:

[Bassdude404]

i dont know how but it is the factory pipes at honda.com:cheers:
Just went to Honda's website, and see what you're talking about....Unfortunately, I don't know what they look like from the end....I remember seeing a post on an 1800 that the person removed the tips....There were a couple of screws that he removed, then the tips came off, allowing him to drill where he needed..BUT this bike wasn't an 'F' model like yours....If you can take a picture of the pipes, and get 'em in the computer, just e-mail them to me, and I'll post them for you...Here's my e-mail address... bassdude404@aim.com

[HEADFIRST]

Gentlemen, if you are going to drill your pipes, wait, save a little coin, and buy slip ons, in my opinion drilling was a complete waste of time...just my opinion though.

[Bassdude404]

Gentlemen, if you are going to drill your pipes, wait, save a little coin, and buy slip ons, in my opinion drilling was a complete waste of time...just my opinion though.
You obviously haven't heard the difference between before, and after drilling.....It's the best free mod you can do to your bike.....Did I mention that it's FREE!!!!!!...

[07meaniegreenie]

I Am Happy With The Sound I Just Want It Louder And Deeper So I Am Using My Tax Rebate To Buy Some Bub Jug Huggers

[marlon5656]

You obviously haven't heard the difference between before, and after drilling.....It's the best free mod you can do to your bike.....Did I mention that it's FREE!!!!!!...hey i finally drilled with a 1/2 18" long bit. i really didnt notice too much change so i am going to try to gut it out. do u think it'll give it a nice sound.

[07meaniegreenie]

i think as big as the chambers are that it will be loud as hell but too noisy not enough tone and not very deep i havent heard one yet that was gutted but i can just see them being to raspy but its free so go for it more power too you and if you dont like it buy some pipes and let the big boy breathe

[alan]

the mod worked for me,the bike sounds awsome,not to loud just right,2 into 2 3 half inch holes each

[djdano]

drill 7 holes in each pipe and you won't be disapointed....look at the pic in my gallery....

[marlon5656]

drill 7 holes in each pipe and you won't be disapointed....look at the pic in my gallery....i have a f which the end pipes are different

[marlon5656]

i have these pipes and i drilled through the back with a 18 inch bit but the difference wasnt that much. i have heard that one can drill in another spot, where?

[marlon5656]

Just went to Honda's website, and see what you're talking about....Unfortunately, I don't know what they look like from the end....I remember seeing a post on an 1800 that the person removed the tips....There were a couple of screws that he removed, then the tips came off, allowing him to drill where he needed..BUT this bike wasn't an 'F' model like yours....If you can take a picture of the pipes, and get 'em in the computer, just e-mail them to me, and I'll post them for you...Here's my e-mail address... bassdude404@aim.comthey are different and i already tried drilling straight through the back,now what

[Bassdude404]

they are different and i already tried drilling straight through the back,now what
I'm not sure...You'd think that there would be other 1800F owners out there with some helpful advice.... Apparently not, you might be the first guy to try drilling those pipes....Where did you drill at exactly??...In the center hole, the outer holes, or all of them???....

[marlon5656]

I'm not sure...You'd think that there would be other 1800F owners out there with some helpful advice.... Apparently not, you might be the first guy to try drilling those pipes....Where did you drill at exactly??...In the center hole, the outer holes, or all of them???....
straight up the center

[Bassdude404]

straight up the center
Try shining a flashlight and looking into those outer holes....Maybe a baffle in behind those...Would be tricky to drill without messing up the chrome on those ends...