Sportster pipes Need help choosing

HellBoy · Jan 26th, 2008, 10:38 AM

Hi, my new 2003 anniversary Sportster came with straight pipes that are so loud, people actually come out of their apartments to yell at me. I don't know the brand and will posts pictures soon. I like the way they look and prefer it a bit loud, but this is beyond beyond. Any suggestions as to what looks and sounds good on a Sportster will be appreciated. I could get the stock pipes back from the original owner, but it would cost more to ship than I think they're worth. I'm hoping baffles could be put in my pipes, but I doubt it.

skull2007 · Jan 26th, 2008, 03:41 PM

i don't have alot background with sportsters. have however looked into baffles. i'm of the impression you likely could find buffles which will fit. i would start by measuring the inside dia. of your pipes, then do a search for baffles with an OD which = your pipes ID. once you get them you'll have to secure them to the inside of your pipes by drilling a hole then a screw and that should work. so i think

i'm sure someone with more experience will chime in with maybe an another way

and some good links

cowboy · Jan 26th, 2008, 03:50 PM

skull said it right plus if you put in some baffles you'll get more power, try big city thunder baffles if they have a set for your pipes while worth the money & the good sound they help make

voodoochild · Jan 26th, 2008, 04:27 PM

I agree, go with the big city thunders, they sound nice. deep sound and loud.

HellBoy · Jan 26th, 2008, 05:43 PM

Thanks for taking the time to offer your advice guys. I'm finally off work and I'm enjoying a big rib eye with a classic Barolo as I write, so I'll try and check into the baffling tomorrow after waking up as late as I can! It would be a great relief to bring the volume down just a bit while keeping the pipes I have, I like their style and sound.

SPORSTERBOY · Jan 26th, 2008, 06:07 PM

I Run Drag Pipes On My 03 Sporty, Don't See How Thier That Loud. I Started With The Stock Pipes, Didn't Really Notice Any Power Change, I Put Power Cones In For The Extra Back Preasure. I Wish Mine Were Louder, Think I'll Hack Up The Drags And Make'em Shorter., Better Flames. But I Think If You Want It Quieter Because Of Others Who Cares. You'll Probabley Change Them Out And Not Like The Quietness. If You've Looked At The Prices Of Pipes It Just Might Be Cheaper To Ship The Stock Ones. If You Have Drag Pipes You Could Probabley Cut Them And Add The Stock Slip Ons . So You Loose The Crossover. The 2" Drags Are Deeper Than The 1 3/4. You Can Find Drags In Most Catalogs For About 125.0. If You Can Fit And Weld You Can Go To The Muffler Shop And Get Some Bent Exhaust Tubes, Take Thoses Stock Pipes, Cut The Flanges Off, Make Any Shape Or Design You Want, Make Sure The Final Ends Will Fit The Slip On's. Then You Have Custom Quiet Pipes. PIPE IS PIPE WHO EVER MAKES THEM. SHAPE AND DIAMITER MAKE THE SOUND OF THE PIPE BESIDES THE FORCES OF THE ENGINE. MUST BE THE CHROME THAT YOUR PAYIN FOR , 5-7 HUNDRED FOR 4 FEET OF BENT UP TUBE AND A NAME. KINDA LIKE BUY'N A HARLEY THESE DAYS, PAY'N FOR A NAME.

chucktx · Jan 26th, 2008, 07:33 PM

something you can try...is the washer in the pipe....you make up a bolt/washer combo, then drill a hole as far forward as you can in the pipe. install one in each pipe. it will be quieter, but not sure if you will like the sound. the baffles require a hole in the pipe also....hope this helps a bit...

voodoochild · Jan 27th, 2008, 06:37 AM

You gotta remember sporsterboy, not everybody is as talented with a torch and welder like you are. Great advice, but I am definitely not that talented to make my own pipes....

skull2007 · Jan 27th, 2008, 07:55 AM

i'm not either, but if your going to really work on bikes and do anything custom i figure one needs to learn to weld, i can stick weld half assed, but i figure stick welding is a thing of the past. done a little mig with limited sucess to match my limited experience. i'm certain i don't need college to learn basic stuff. i'm going to get a welder, a book or two, ask alot of questions and learn i hope

or should i get a tig, heard tig is easier

HellBoy · Jan 27th, 2008, 09:05 AM

It's 11:00AM and it's supposed to be snowing. It looks perfectly clear, so I'm gonna take a chance and go riding, I'll look for pipes tonight or tomorrow. Thanks for all the cool suggestions guys, most appreciated.

HellBoy · Jan 27th, 2008, 08:29 PM

I took a look today and the pipes are in two pieces, connected by a bolt and maybe solder. I'll take some photos tomorrow or Tuesday and post them. Perhaps someone here will recognize them. No obvious brand name.

On another note, I took a spill today. Nothing careless on my part, yet preventable if I had more experience. For the first time I switched over from my cozy plush seat to my Badlander. It's an easy install and I was careful. I must have missed the clip under the seat because as I was taking a slow sharp right, the seat slid out from under me and as I slid sideways the bike went down on top of me. Somehow, no bones were bashed or broken. I got up and while lifting the bike, I heard all the bones in my spine crack. I don't know if it was like a chiropractor doing an adjustment or something bad. Strangely, there's not a sign the bike went down, it must have leaned on the foot pegs, I don't know. I've got a really sore lower back and am hoping it's just a muscle strain. Still got on the bike and rode a bit more, kind of like getting back on the horse that threw me sort of a thing.

I've been really careful, but will double my efforts now. Safe riding to you all.

Forgot to mention all along that the pipes my bike came with are not street legal.

*Sportsterboy, how do you like the feel of your handlebars when compared to the original?

cowboy · Jan 28th, 2008, 09:32 AM

Hellboy, I looked at your pic's , Nice looking Bike

, those are just drag pipes , there's a few companys that make them , any decent shop can get you some baffles to fit there about a foot long , to keep your sound or close to it you can cut them in half , after that about A inch at a time till you get what your looking for , you will have to drill a small hole in each pipe to bolt them in always keep that in mind when cutting,
you stiffness will go away in time

voodoochild · Jan 28th, 2008, 05:19 PM

Hellboy, glad you're Ok, and hopefully it's just the pride that hurts.

HellBoy · Jan 28th, 2008, 05:33 PM

Thanks Cowboy, Voodoo Child. Yeah, my pride's a little bruised, and my confidence a bit shaken, but that's a lot better than an emergency room visit and hopefully I'll be all the wiser from the experience.
That's a sweet lookin' ride you've got their Cowboy, bet the weather's nicer in Texas than NYC!

voodoochild · Jan 28th, 2008, 05:35 PM

Yes you will be....it's unfortunate to have to learn that way but at least you are ok and learned a valuable lesson. Ride safe!

HellBoy · Jan 28th, 2008, 05:43 PM

I meant to say sweet ride there Voodoo Child ! I guess I'll just have to grant myself a "Mulligan" since my damn seat came off while riding, it wasn't my fault completely.

voodoochild · Jan 28th, 2008, 05:47 PM

Thanks for the compliment! And, yeah, take a mulligan, no harm, no foul. As long as you learned something from it, (I don't want to say it was worth it), but you get the idea.

HellBoy · Jan 28th, 2008, 06:08 PM

I'll look into getting those pipes worked on this week. I'm getting a slow start though, I had three back teeth pulled today and need to chill for a day or two.
Anyone know who'd be good to ask about it here in NYC? I may go to either Brooklyn or Queens Harley Davidson, just to look around and ask a few questions.

ironhorse · Jan 29th, 2008, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skull2007

i'm not either, but if your going to really work on bikes and do anything custom i figure one needs to learn to weld, i can stick weld half assed, but i figure stick welding is a thing of the past. done a little mig with limited sucess to match my limited experience. i'm certain i don't need college to learn basic stuff. i'm going to get a welder, a book or two, ask alot of questions and learn i hope

or should i get a tig, heard tig is easier

stick welding is a lost art not out dated though as it is the strongest and most common means of commercial fabricaation and repair in structual and pipeline. mig is the most versital means for general light duty fab and repair (mostly 1/2 in and under ) and it can easiely be adapted to aluminum and stainless, and can put down a nice bead with little to no experiance. the tig is a very handy welder that takes knowledge and skill to do it properly and is capable of putting down some very intricate beads on various metals. my self I use (at home ) arc for anything 1/4 and over, mig fluxcore for 1/4 and under and oxy act for light duty type stuff. (where warpage is not a concern). so to kinda answer your question if your to do general fab and repair ie: benches, rackes, bike part