[Retro Rich]

I see some of you out there have the VTX 1300 have added a K&N filter. What has your experience been with this. Did you add it with or without changing your pipes out from stock? Did you need to get the carb adjusted afterward or did it seem to work well without any carb adjustment? Any problems with pipe blueing?

Thanks for any input you can give me on your experiences. I had a K&N on my previous bike ('97 Magna) and it made a huge difference in performance, as I'm sure it does on the 1300.

Also, has anyone attempted to gut the stock exhaust at all? Any advice/tips on what you did? I want a little more sound and want to let it breathe a little easier; but, kind of want to stay away from the extra loud pipes out there if I can. I've listened to some sound clips on the sideburner, V&H, Samson pipes and most of them sound great. But, I like to go out early sometimes (6:30 to 7:00 a.m.) and would most likely wake up the entire neighborhood with some of those options.

 

[Toadman]

I don't have a K&N and am surprised no one has responded.

 

[Wallacem]

I have a '04 1300 C, with K&N filter and Hard Chrome 2.5" pipes. It had to be rejetted, but power increased. Hp before was 58, after, 67. It is now not afraid of ANY Harley cruiser.

 

[NC Hammer]

Sorry the responses have been slow. I haven't been online for a little over a week and I'm still playing catch up.


I have a K&N filter and have also drilled my stock pipes. (The Clayton Root mod).

No changes or re-jetting the carb. The sound is the biggest difference. I have always had good performance and mileage. The theory is that the engine is one big pump and if you let more air in, you need to let more out. I like the looks of the stock pipes and the sound is louder than stock, but not as loud as after market pipes. I have been on rides where guys have heard my bike and asked what I have done to the exhaust to make it sound so good. The pipe mod cost me $3.29 for the 1/8 inch pilot bit.

Plus, every time you service the bike, all you do is clean the K&N, not replace it. A little $$ savings there.

 

[Green Ghost]

Rejet

Rich, Im running HK BIG 3s with a hypercharger and Stinger lid. This really makes the 1300 run big time. Don't be afraid to rejet the carb. It is too lean from the factory from the start. A good set of pipes and about 30 min. to rejet the carb. If you buy a Kury Hypercharger the jet kit comes with it standard, and they also come with a K&N already installed. Its easy to buy one part at a time and see a little improvement. But way tear the bike down time and time again. If possible try and do as much as you can in one install. GG

 

[Retro Rich]

Thanks for all of the replies and advice. That helps me a lot. I really like the look of the stock pipes on the Retro and want to save some $$ if I can, since I've pretty much gone chrome crazy with the bike over the last 30 days and can't stop. Hey, if the mod on the currents doesn't get me what I want I haven't really lost out on anything at that point anyway.

 

[NC Hammer]

Good thinkin'.
You can always replace the pipes after the mod.

 

[Guest]

Hi, I have a 2005 VTX 1300R and put on the stock K&N filter without any different pipes, I did add NGK Irudium Plugs (had to go one step colder since they don't make a standard Irudium plug for the 1300 models. The bike runs better and seems to have more horse and revs higher without a jetting change. The standard pipes are loud enough for me and the city I live in.