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2005 VTX 1300R Vance and Hines Big Shots

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9K views 22 replies 11 participants last post by  Bassdude404  
#1 ·
New member here from WA, the one in the top left corner. Spent some time lurking before I got my bike a couple months ago, and here I am. Got some things to review on it.

I put these pipes on my bike a few weeks ago, and I am quite impressed. They are noisy, but that's not always a bad thing. They seemed loud at first, but they are growing on me. I am liking them more and more every day I ride it. Was considering attempting to acquire quieter baffles, but I'm going to let them ride more and see if I want to make that change. Before I bought this bike, I test rode a 2004 VTX 1300 and it had the V&H pipes on it with quiet baffles, and I really liked it at that point.

I haven't done any carb jetting, and haven't really seen the need to yet anyways. Based on some research I did through this forum and others it seemed 50/50 on people that did and didn't. Before I took the stock pipes off, which in my opinion made it look and sound like a spaceship, the previous owner had drilled the pipes. So it has a slightly rattly sound to it. Plus I thought the stock pipes were a little ugly. These big shots really did sleek up the look of the bike, and I couldn't be happier with the aesthetics. I was getting on the average I'd say about 45 MPG with the stock pipes, I'm still around that area, averaging 43 MPG with the new exhaust installed. I can't tell if it has had a loss in power, I don't really get on it much.

I also picked up some Phatrisers from "Scootworks" out of NC on a recommendation on a post I read. They are the "shortest" risers for this bike, raising the bars from the stock location up 1.5 and 2 inches closer I think is what it is. Really made it comfortable on the mustang seat already on the bike with backrest. Smooth riding bike. I will have to get some pics up as soon as possible. But it's certainly an upgrade from my 1996 Suzuki Intruder 800cc. Nice low center of gravity, and handles great. Doesn't get blown around as much either.

But if anyone more experienced with VTXs has any other details or info on the pipes, carb mod or anything else they did they liked, do share. I do have some hard bags on it. Don't know what they are but maybe a seasoned vet can tell when I get a pic up.
 
#3 ·
Welcome from AZ. You've come to the right place for information on doing mods.
 
#5 ·
Thanks guys. I just purchased the Baron Ultimate Light Bar. Hoping it will go on as easy as the guy's YT vid. I got it off Amazon, and the one review said it's pretty much plug and play. He said he needed to solder some connections though. It's supposed to replace the stock blinker wiring, and be good to go. We'll see when it arrives in a week or so.
 
#6 ·
Welcome from Poulsbo, WA. I will be hosting a tech session on Aug 11th, 2012. Don't know yet if there will be any 1300's coming... there's at least one guy in our state that's pretty good with carbs. The 1800's are fuel injected, so we don't quite go through what you guys do. If you haven't done it yet, you should change several of the fluids on the bike (for instance, the anti-freeze should be changed every two years to protect the engine).
 
#7 · (Edited)
The only time you will NEED to fool with the carb is if you change the intake. Pipes just dont matter.

Most people do adjust the A/F (Air/Fuel Mix) a little, and do a SCAR Mod. This richens up the mix because the VTX's are set incredibly lean from the factory to pass strict emissions standards. Using the "Choke" (which isnt really a choke at all - it is an Enricher) will eventually foul your plugs.

If you're good with using the choke, and keeping an eye on your plugs, then so be it.. But a SCAR Mod and a little A/F Adjustment will get rid of the "Cold Naturedness" of the bike, and wake it up a bit without sacrificing MPG.

I currently have mine jetted pretty good and Im still around 40mpg.. It also starts with one twist of the throttle, regardless of the temperature outside.

-Gonz
 
#8 ·
Well, I might have to look in to the air/fuel mix. What is a "SCAR" mod and what does it accomplish? And I have heard of a "PAIR" valve I think is what it's called type of modification, what does that do?

I use the choke when I start it, but it usually fires right up with one notch pulled out. I have a throttle lock, I just lock the throttle at an idle and turn off the choke. Few more posts, then I'll be able to put some pics up or link a vid of it. I did get my light bar ordered, hopefully it's all as easy as it looks.
 
#9 ·
you need to contact CharlieD, he is the resident expert on carbs. Him and Jimbo hooked me up at the last tech session. I will hopefully be at the tech session in Poulsbo that Jim is having if you want to check out the setup on my bike. Also you could get with dslocum, he is headed to the session too and he lives close to you.
 
#12 ·
I have the big shots on mine and after I had the 8000 mile service done it got very cold natured and sometimes wouldn’t start on the first go. I don’t know anything about carbs so I took it back to the mechanic and he said it was because when you adjust the valves with the service you have to adjust the carb. While he was adjusting it he went ahead and jetted it since the original owner hadn’t done it when the pipes were installed. I immediately noticed a difference in performance after the jetting including adding a couple more MPG on to it. Of course this could just be that he adjusted the carb better than it was to begin with.
I told you all this to say that my brother who has an ’07 1300C got some knockoff pipes that look and sound almost identical to the big shots and he hasn’t jetted it yet. He gets exactly the same MPG as I do. We tested this out over Memorial Day weekend with over 700 miles of riding and each time we filled up we had used almost the exact same amount of fuel.
Welcome. I’m new here too but I hope to give as much advice as I get.
 
#15 ·
I took it back to the mechanic and he said it was because when you adjust the valves with the service you have to adjust the carb.
100% complete bullchit.....Carb doesn't need to even be touched when the valves are done except to remove the airbox....

Also the previous owner didn't have the carb rejetted with the new pipes for a good reason..Liquid cooled bikes don't need a jet kit with a pipe change...

If I were you, I'd find another mechanic, or learn how to work on your own bike...
 
#14 ·
Welcome from Washington State also. I will be in Poulsbo and I hope you will too. I hope Charlie D will be there too. He is very knowledgeable and well respected. Oh, I am in Chehalis WA and usually looking for a ride. Only time I am not is if I am doing some Mod or working. So, hit me up if you want to do some riding. Nice bike, nice color and great job on the videos. Love the pipes and risers too. Made me check out the pages. I think you might give me a run for my money on the sound of the bike. Look forward to riding together.
 
#16 ·
Well at least he jetted it for free because he "forgot" to readjust it. Maybe he knocked it out of whack when he was taking the box out. I will take your advice and not take it back to him. I'm a mechanic in the army but all my experience is with diesel engines and they are all FI so I have zero experience with carbs. I try to work on my bike but with my current job I have had very little time for it or the tools. Thanks for the advice and next time I will do it myself
 
#18 ·
Hey Bass, just wondering where you got your trunk at. I was thinking about something like that, still not sure yet. I don't have passengers riding on it so I'm not worried about that at the moment anyways.

I did get my light bar yesterday too. Probably going to have to wait until the weekend for installation. Do you or anyone else find any issues with the charging system not charging with the lights running? The lights I got are 2 x 50 watt halogens and the blinkers are 2 x 20 watt halogens. I did get the "Ultimate Light Bar", and it doesn't look too difficult to get wired in with the minimal installation instructions. Thanks for your thoughts.
 
#20 ·
Those look pretty good. Thanks for the link. If it were a bit more rounded, I might consider it more, so it would match the hard bags I already have on mine right now.