| Author | Message | ||
     Zane |
Phwx2 post got me to thinking. My 04 Blast came with a Vance and Hines exhaust on it. Fast1025 gave me a stock exhaust but I’ve been slow to put it on. I really like the depth the V&H gives to the exhaust note. The only problem is that God himself covers his ears when I ride by. Is there any way to quiet a V&H down some? Can it be repacked or is there an adjustment on the inside I can make? I’d like to keep it on the bike but people here in the office are really getting tired of me saying “What?? Speak up! Huh??” for the first 2 hours I’m in the office. (Message edited by Zane on July 18, 2008) | ||
| Ezblast |
They have a quiet core insert they sell for it. EZ | ||
| Zane |
That would be the ticket. Thanks Ez! | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
I'd bet anything (exaggeration) that its devoid of any packing whatsoever. Also it may be easier to remove the rivets rather than the bolts. Thread moved to Knowledge Vault (KV) under exhaust. | ||
| Berkshire |
1. Maybe supertrapp discs could be added to the V&H by drilling & tapping the piece at the back of the can - it looks similar to my Kerker. I added 18 3" discs (and tight 'glass packing) and have been very pleased with the results. 2. Ride with earplugs! During some stages of my exhaust experimentation it was extremely loud - but it wasn't as bad as the wind noise! At "freeway" speeds the wind completely drowns out the motor, except at WOT - it's almost painful! The highest decibel reduction I've found is "Hearos" (or "Hear-o's"?), which are sold at one of the big drug store chains 33 or 34dB, IIRC. | ||
| Xgecko |
I use Skull Candy FMJ ear buds to knock down the noise level I can hit the pause button on my Ipod if needed but low level music adds to the pleasure and the buds themselves make exhaust sounds go away. As for exhaust cans themselves I have a Jardin and a White Bros that I switch off as the packing dies off. I usually just ask my wife if it's time for a change. | ||
| Reuel |
I gotta ride with earplugs all the time. Even at an idle, the putt-putt-putt seems to make all other sounds stop for just a fraction of a second. It's like a car stereo that isn't adjusted right, and every time the subwoofers thump, the rest of the sound disappears for just that little bit of time. | ||
| Fast1075 |
My ole eardrums have been beat up by too many rounds fired and too much exposure to unmuffled stinger pipes on 2 strokes..I lost my hearing completely for two days once from standing behind a dragbike doing a burnout tha was powered by a dubble/tripple (2 kawi H2 750 engines with stinger pipes...on nitro...thats 6 count'em 6 open stingers at 9k rpm) toss in way too many hours with the wattmeter pegged on my old Sansui series G amp back when I had hair and all my own teeth...in short...my Jardine makes a nice pleasant unobtrusive sound  (Message edited by fast1075 on July 24, 2008) | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
What? Someone please answer the d*@# phone! I dont see the point of adding discs to any exhaust unless you know how to tune them. | ||
| Ezblast |
Yes suppertrap discs have been added to the V&H before, 8 discs would keep her quiet and 23 would add to power. Observe:  EZ | ||
| Oso |
Question... I installed a V&H on my Blast and where the down pipe meets the muffler I am getting a leek. Is that normal? I have tightend the clamp to where the lip meets the other side. | ||
| Ezblast |
Too tight? EZ | ||
| Oso |
Well, I just retighten it today and it did get better but still a little bit of a leek. Maybe I should try to loosen it and see if I can get the tube in a little further. I’ve never done a bike exhaust before. Nub. | ||
| Themagster |
I'm not a happy camper with V&H right now. My first V&H exhaust system weathered through the miles fairly well. When we did the head gasket repair at 43,000 miles we noticed the rivets/hex nuts had vibrated the holes to an oval shape and were pretty loose. Tack weld was a quick fix and held on for while. Not feeling particularly confident with it though I purchased a brand new V&H and installed it at 47,500 miles before trip to Texas. That same exhaust was switched from the '05 to the '09 - which now has 7,500 miles on it. The bolts that mount the exhaust to the frame bracket became loose inside the exhaust and necessitated removing the pipe, taking off the end-cap to replace. The packing was pretty much toast. Exhaust was replaced without any packing. No big deal. Problem now is that the hex nuts that hold the end-cap have vibrated loose again. Used a little threadlocker but they vibrated loose while I was doing the IBA run and now have once again expanded the holes to an oval shape and will not stay tight. I am not sure what kind of mileage to expect out of an exhaust on the Blast. Am I asking too much to try and get same kind wear/usage that I got from the first system? Or should I be looking into a completely new exhaust? Going to JB weld the end cap for now & see if that works. May not be pretty but as long as it holds... Any thoughts on the subject out there? | ||
| Ezblast |
With no maintenance but painting regularly - the Bub, and D&D are probably the only two exhausts that would last forever, the rest will either need a new header or can down the line. EZ | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Keeping in mind that you have many more Blast miles than I've put on the V & H, experience has shown, and imho, that leaving the can unpacked overheats the internals and the can will come apart. I repacked the White Brothers I use on the raceBlast very tightly and its quiet and seems to be holding up very well. Granted not the kind of miles you put on yours, but its miles are at a constant 5000rpm to 7500rpm. I dont have a good V&H to look at but on the WB I safety wired the bolts. Safety wired, red Loctite and silicone exhaust sealer and they should never come loose again. Blue Loctite usually wont hold up with exhaust heat. FWIW: I now use a standard aftermarket Harley muffler instead of the V & H can (because I had one). Easily installed and easy to find a replacement for if it comes apart. I've been told its a tad loud though  A stock slip-on muffler could also be used. I would contact V & H and tell them what you've told us which is why does one exhaust last 40k+ miles and the other is failing at 7500 miles. I found that this method sometimes/often gets me free or discounted replacement parts (in an honest way). | ||
| Themagster |
Thanks to you both. I did look into the D&D, just don't really feel like letting go of a few hundred bucks right now. But in the long run if it is better for the bike, then I'll do it. For now, I've used the JB Weld, it feels good and solid, will know more after ride this weekend. Erik, should the JB Weld hold, with the knowledge that there is no packing left and the heating issue - would it be smarter to just replace it? Not too worried about eventual failure of exhaust, if I have to buy another sooner or later, then so be it, just don't want to hurt bike. You are right, with the miles I tax it with, want to get it paid off before I have to buy another I did write to V&H, no reply with first message and waiting to see if I get reply with 2nd. I don't give up easy - I'll bug them until they get sick of hearing from me. I like the sound of the V&H - don't know much about the D&D - sound, power, etc. Your knowledge and input is always appreciated. Mags | ||
| Ezblast |
Same power as the V&H, more torque, about as loud as an unpacked V&H but deeper. EZ | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
I dont know if the JB Weld will hold, but if it aint broke dont fix it. As far as overheating, without the packing the interior core heats up and comes apart. The 'tailpipe' also can come loose. You wont hurt the bike, you will just end up with a very noisy and rattling exhaust. So do you have 2 V & H exhausts, one for spare parts or is the other one on your other Blast (if you still have it?) FWIW: Ideally the can should be pulled apart, repacked tightly, the ends sealed with exhaust silicone, riveted and red Loctite on the endcap bolts. Frankly, if possible, I would use anti-sieze instead on the endcap bolts and safety wire them (that way it will come apart a lot easier for the next repack). My V & H can is in many pieces so I dont know if thats possible. It is with the White Brothers. Also I noted when I took the V&H apart it was easier to remove the rivets than the bolts for repacking. | ||
| Themagster |
The first V&H that I got the 47,000 miles out of was just toast - I wrote all kinds of notes on it and set it out for the garbage men to have a good laugh at. The replacement V&H I took off the '05 and it is the one I am dealing with on the '09. I took her out last night for a ride and the JB Weld seems pretty solid for now. That was just a quick run. This weekend I head to Leesburg for the Bike Fest and I will most likely make it about a 350+ mile weekend, so I should know by Sunday if the weld worked. If it holds, don't think it will be easy to pry it back open to repack. There is pretty much nothing left inside to come apart. I was just worried about the heating issue as it relates to other parts of the bike. I'll be doing that long trip in July and just want to get there and back without any problems, whether it's the exhaust or anything else on the bike. Thanks again ya'll - I truly do appreciate your help. | ||
| Blastofrage |
ok everyone i did have my heart set on the v&h ss2r exhaustbut reading here that they are super loud i dont know if it would be right for mi blast or neighbors i want power and some noise but im looking for a mellow rumble like the 21" glass packs gave my truck so does anyone have a suggestions thank you all | ||
| Johnnymac |
Here is my two cents and it will only cost a few bucks to try. If you like it it's a win-win. Before investing in a new exhaust, modify the existing stock exhaust. It will give you a boost in power when accompanied with a free breathing intake but the sound will be most enjoyable - at least it is for me. I installed a new air cleaner for the tune of $40 then used a 1-1/2" hole saw bit on my drill to add a second exhaust outlet on the rear of my muffler. Changed the jetting in the carb to 45/175 for the cost of roughly $16 for the new jets. Added the #6 brass washers to the needle in the carb for $0.84 which I picked up at Lowe's. Now, with my girl on the bike with me, the Blast accelerates as well or better than it did with just me on the bike when it was stock. The sound made from the exhaust is a deeper rumble and when under aggressive throttle it blatts out that Harley sound like a Sportster with good pipes but when given mild throttle, like tooling through the neighborhood, it can be kept to barely louder than stock. When down shifting and decelerating it gives a wicked cool burble! Seriously though, give it a try. You are going to rejet the carb anyway when you install a new exhaust and will likely want to either modify the stock intake or install a performance intake. So for the cost of $15 for a 1-1/2" hole bit (or free if you just borrow one from a friend) you have little to lose by trying it and $200-$300 to keep in your pocket by not buying an aftermarket exhaust. If you decide it's not to your liking you get a different aftermarket exhaust and your other intake & carb changes will already be done. It's a win-win! | ||
| Blastofrage |
thats sound great but the reason im in the market for a new exhaust i mine blew apart at the head last year and it went to the scrapper in a truck bed.i was having some fuel mix problems i worked on for about a month and come to find a BIG tear in my boot but that has been fixed so now i could buy a new stock exhaust and make the changes but might as well go aftermarket for pretty close to same $$$ thank you for the info | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
V & H isnt that loud if you keep up on the packing and quieter when you repack it tightly. The Jardine is quieter with "Quiet Core" insert. Pro Series is the most quiet (with the exception of possibly the Jardine), but its discontinued and unavailable. Same goes for the White Brothers, but keeping it quiet will cost you longevity and it wont last long (if you find one). Neighbors: Who Cares! Seriously, as long as you're not acting like a 'tard and constantly revving your engine and racing up and down the street, really, whats the harm. Its not that loud (and I know loud). Its all in how you act which will make the difference. I'm sure there are exceptions to the above, like 55 and older mobile home parks or you have to start your bike at 5am in an tight alley between 2 houses or...? | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
PS jetting is going to be about the same (or close) with almost any non stock exhaust. | ||
| Blastofrage |
hey that 55 and older mobile home park isnt funny how did you know hahahaha ok it may not be 55 and older but do have some old prudes in the park i live in i have managed to keep quiet until now i guess im just worried that it might wake them and start some trouble when i start it at 4:30 am for work for a 35mile track to work (Message edited by blastofrage on April 23, 2009) | ||
| Britchri10 |
I recently put a Jardine RT1 on my '06 Blast. It was loud enough to attract the (unwanted) attention of my neighbors when I left for work at 0530. Subsequently, I installed the Jardine QMI (Quiet module insert) Since the installation comment/complaints have ceased! | ||
| Blastofrage |
i ordered the v&h ss2r system this morning before work to find out tonight it is out of stock but will be in shortly so my plans to get it done next weekend like i hoped like gearheaderiko said nieghbors "who cares" on another subject i dont see many blasts around and i wasnt to proud to be riding one with the help and tips i have gotten here i can say i am probably the proudest man to ride my 492cc blast | ||
| Themagster |
The JB Weld held out for my trip to Leesburg and then this weekend went to Ocala, Florida horse country to hang out for the Kentucky Derby. All went well. Came home, dumped luggage and hit road again...somewhere along the way my husband noticed the exhaust weld became unwelded and the end cap was once again loose. I have not had any reply whatsoever from V&H, so I am not likely to put any money into another of their exhaust systems. Any suggestions on where to get the best price for a D&D? Who has a D&D on their blast that can tell me how they like it? This has gotta be done quick, even one weekend without the bike will kill me and I have another trip planned for the Riding Into History vintage bike show in St. Augustine the weekend after next. As always - thanks for input and help. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
From P3Pilot as he just ordered one. "Pipecity.com about $330 + tax and shipping, should not take more than a week to get it. Great sound and easy to install just need the flat gasket. Ask them to rush it and maybe 3-5 days" |
