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[USMC Diablo]

I have my 2012 CVO Softail Convertible and absolutely love it.  However, I know it has screaming eagle slip ons but I don't get the sound friends of mine have from their non-Cali bikes.  I get the normal answers from the dealer that it sounds the way it dose because of the Cali rules and they can't legally give me any information to get the sound I want.  I don't want the neighbors raising kane loud just a nice Harley rumble that I hear from friends bikes.  The Cali Government has even non affiliated mechanics too afraid to tell you anything.  I'm in the Marine Corps and won't be hippy state forever so I don't care to modify their idiotic rules I just can't get the information I need telling me what needs done.  If someone can tell me what makes CA legal screaming eagles sound like a souped up VW bug compared to non CA pipes, and what I can do to make it better, I would REALLY appreciate it.

[hrdtail78]

They are just restrictive, choked down HD pipes with SE on them. Plenty of good slip ons on the market you can pick from that will have a nice tone.

[timo482]

they have in fact issued really large fines to folks making stuff thats not legal, more than in any other state, its a actual risk to run not legal [there are various jurisdictions where cali rules apply - the epa rules literally say to follow epa OR carb, your choice], if you do modify it keep all the parts and tune to put it back in case you get in trouble. if you are NOT plated in cali you can get away with a whole lot simply because enforcement is spotty at best.

if you mess with only the exhaust and leave the air cleaner alone you *might* get away with no tune.

its your money, so do what you want. just be aware that cali rules for cali plated bikes is different from the rest of the country. california in many ways operates as its own country, if it was its own country it would be #8.

its also worth note that ALL the mfg of cars & bikes in the world concentrate on making there cars cali legal, its the biggest market, if you only have budget for one version make it the cali version it will be legal in europe, the us, asia if it meets cali rules.

to

[lilcoot]

First, Harley dealers are probably the last places to go for any mods.  They will try to sell you their own products, which are overpriced and under performing.  A set of mufflers won't void your warranty.  Check with owners here for the best ideas and info on parts.

If you're military, I thought you could register your bike out of state.  You can pretty much do what you want, and I would bet there's not a cop in Cali that would cite an active duty service member for noise violations unless you were riding like an a-hole to start with.  Whomever you're hanging out with probably think of themselves as some kind of Hell's Angels (wannabes),  and have an anti-authority mindset.  ANY regulation is EVIL!

I've lived in half a dozen states and a couple foreign countries.  I've loved every place I've lived, and everywhere has their pluses and minuses,  And frankly, Cali is one of the best places, by far.  Look at the advantages: You can lane split legally, and literally ride to many manufacturers' factories to buy bike equipment directly from the source, and get info directly from the manufacturers.  Painters and mechanics for Harleys are everywhere, and I have five dealerships within an hour of my home, in case I have a breakdown or have a specific model/part I need.  Beaches, mountains, deserts, coastal highways are everywhere here, and there's more clubs, riders' groups, and support here than anywhere else.  Mexico has some great riding ares too.  Did I mention the best weather in the USA in San Diego?

Hippie state?  If you ride an hour from the coasts, you'll find some of the most conservative people in the US.  I lived in Utah for 7 years, and the area of California where I live (2 hours from San Diego) is even more right wing than Utah, if that's possible.  If you're feeling home sick, you can ride to the central and western parts of Cali, and be surrounded by enough mullets, rednecks, and Tea Partiers to make you feel right at home.  

As far as regulations, the US is behind every civilized country in the world in regulating our behaviors.  With 35 million people and 100 million cars, of course Cali is the first to need to adopt regulations, and the rest of the country follows suit because they need to, not just because evil California did.  Get out and see as much as you can.  You only live once!

[Mrs C]

I put Vance and Hines 3" slip ons on mine.  Love the sound!

[USMC Diablo]

First, Harley dealers are probably the last places to go for any mods.  They will try to sell you their own products, which are overpriced and under performing.  A set of mufflers won't void your warranty.  Check with owners here for the best ideas and info on parts.

If you're military, I thought you could register your bike out of state.  You can pretty much do what you want, and I would bet there's not a cop in Cali that would cite an active duty service member for noise violations unless you were riding like an a-hole to start with.  Whomever you're hanging out with probably think of themselves as some kind of Hell's Angels (wannabes),  and have an anti-authority mindset.  ANY regulation is EVIL!

I've lived in half a dozen states and a couple foreign countries.  I've loved every place I've lived, and everywhere has their pluses and minuses,  And frankly, Cali is one of the best places, by far.  Look at the advantages: You can lane split legally, and literally ride to many manufacturers' factories to buy bike equipment directly from the source, and get info directly from the manufacturers.  Painters and mechanics for Harleys are everywhere, and I have five dealerships within an hour of my home, in case I have a breakdown or have a specific model/part I need.  Beaches, mountains, deserts, coastal highways are everywhere here, and there's more clubs, riders' groups, and support here than anywhere else.  Mexico has some great riding ares too.  Did I mention the best weather in the USA in San Diego?

Hippie state?  If you ride an hour from the coasts, you'll find some of the most conservative people in the US.  I lived in Utah for 7 years, and the area of California where I live (2 hours from San Diego) is even more right wing than Utah, if that's possible.  If you're feeling home sick, you can ride to the central and western parts of Cali, and be surrounded by enough mullets, rednecks, and Tea Partiers to make you feel right at home.  

As far as regulations, the US is behind every civilized country in the world in regulating our behaviors.  With 35 million people and 100 million cars, of course Cali is the first to need to adopt regulations, and the rest of the country follows suit because they need to, not just because evil California did.  Get out and see as much as you can.  You only live once!

Just looking for some advice on pipes not a political lecture.  No one is Hell's Angels wannabees at all.  I ride alone 98% of my time.  I'm just looking for the sound that fits my personal preference.  If something I said offended you, you have the choice to click next and go to the next thread without making redneck, mullet, and tea party comments which have absolutely nothing to do with this thread.

ANYWAY, thanks for the folks were constructive and helpful.  I've put nearly 10,000 miles on my bike in less than a year all over Cali and southern AZ.  So, hopefully I will find what I'm looking for with regards to sound because the bike is definitly seeing the miles.  Thanks again!

[hrdtail78]

Charge an ambush.  I was trained the same. Simper Fi!

Some good advice up there though.  When I was at MCAS El Toro with my 78 hardtail registered in Illinois. Cops left me alone about it. Probably because they didn't know how to deal with it.

[USMC Diablo]

I've had my eyes on the V&H 3" slip ons so I think I might just head in that direction.

[GtreetSlide]

Just looking for some advice on pipes not a political lecture.  No one is Hell's Angels wannabees at all.  I ride alone 98% of my time.  I'm just looking for the sound that fits my personal preference.  If something I said offended you, you have the choice to click next and go to the next thread without making redneck, mullet, and tea party comments which have absolutely nothing to do with this thread.  Prolly should skip phrases like "Hippy State" then, LOL..

ANYWAY, thanks for the folks were constructive and helpful.  I've put nearly 10,000 miles on my bike in less than a year all over Cali and southern AZ.  So, hopefully I will find what I'm looking for with regards to sound because the bike is definitly seeing the miles.  Thanks again!

[lilcoot]

Technically, I was being helpful when I said don't go to a Harley dealership. 

People who know me know that I usually say things tongue-in-check, i.e., the mullet/redneck/tea party jibe.  I guess I should've used more smileys to indicate I was kidding. 

We need to meet up for a ride sometime, and we could "hug it out" like a couple hippies.    Big Bear and Idyllwild are beautiful this time of year.

Be safe.

Dan

[USMC Diablo]

No worries.  Typing conversations have a tendency to come across the opposite if how it was meant.  I guess a slight Hippy part has rubbed off on me and I was over sensitive...   I haven't made the ride to Big Bear yet.  The wife and I have been meaning to though so I'm positive that could be arranged.  We made the ride up Highway 1 from SD to San Fran and there's likely no better ride on the planet!  Thanks for the advice.

Larry