CVO Technical > Intake/Exhaust/ECM

V&H Quiet Baffles for Big Radius 2-in-2

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RKUC:
Hey ya'll.  I'm going to be changing out the baffles in Vance & Hines Big Radius pipes.  I'm going with the Vance & Hines "Quiet Baffles".  I'm studied up on the procedure and well aware of the inherent problem of getting the new baffles installed.  My "big idea" is to grease em up with "Red and Tacky" (grease) before inserting them into the pipes, and maybe cinching the plastic (where the fiberglass starts) with a band of tightly stretched electrical tape.  I'm reasoning they might smoke and stink a bit for a little while but it could make the install much easier.  I'm hoping someone has done this job themself with Big Radius pipes and can offer me some insight into my big idea.  Worth a try, or I wouldn't go there... All other advice and comments are welcome too.  Thanks from Texas. 

Finster101:
Any grease you put on it is going to end up melting and soaking into the matting.  It would also burn and possibly discolor the chrome on the outside of the pipe. 

bad00serg:
Agree completely, the grease is not a good idea.

RKUC:
The job is done, here is my perspective.  First of all, what an fn rip-off!  :soapbox: My somewhat practical experience reasons that parts and labor to make these "quiet baffles" is about $14.  They sell for $89, and it's a chit job... The baffles are wrapped with a 1/4" of fiberglass matting.  Mine were wrapped one and a half times around.  This is way too thick to force into the tailpipes.. A great idea, but dumbass construction.   My resolve: I removed the plastic wrapping.  I cut about 6" off of the fiberglass wrap so that it just overlapped itself on the baffle.  I then used stretch plastic wrap, the kind they sell at U-Haul (for wrapping furniture) to re-wrap the fiberglass tightly around the baffle.  Then, I used electrical tape.  I used it just behind the first cup of the baffle, being sure it stuck to metal and then onto the plastic wrap, ensuring a good grab where the fiberglass first enters the pipe.  I finished it off with a very light application of red and tacky grease.. very light, to lube its entry.

I then hammered them in and everything worked.  :orange:

My pipes now sound like they should, the nasty, raspy, annoying noise is gone.  They are still every bit as loud, best as I can tell; but they now sound deep and throaty.  It's kind of like the difference between a two speaker stereo turned up loud, and a stereo system with a sub-woofer turned up just as loud.

If you have the big radius 2 into 2 pipes on your bike, you know exactly what I mean.  They are loud for sure, but they sound awful.  Get the grossly overpriced "quiet baffles" and you will love the sound of your pipes.

As to the long-term effect, I will report on this in 6 months.  Ride free and keep your feet in the wind.

Richard out...

FLSTFI Dave:
Sounds like you got rid for the noise you didn't like

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