| Author | Message | ||
     Mountainstorm |
About 10K miles ago I installed the Barker Slip On Exhaust and it came with the largest quiet core insert installed per my request. I just performed an oil change yesterday and since I had the slip on removed I decided to open it up and take a look at the packing. I was surprised to find most of the material still present...a pleasant change from most straight through mufflers I have owned. There was enough material left to absorb some sound, but it was no longer tight against the perforated tube, which now had a slight rattle. The reverse cone of the 2-into-1 downtube presses into the perforated tube at one end and the tube is "trapped" in a circular trough milled into the other end. Over time the reverse cone had worn into the tube a bit. I simply flipped the tube end for end and the new "crush zone" against the assembled parts stopped the fore and aft slop. Any thing that can vibrate or rattle well cause damage unless it is dampened. Metal develops stress fracture from the fretting action of the vibration. A repack with new fiberglass or stainless steel scrubble might secure the core temporarily, but trapping the tube end for end is the proper solution. While the can was apart I removed the quiet core element which is nothing more than a reducer tube with a flared inlet and a retaining ring welded to the exit. I was not expecting much difference, but found there was a significant difference. Once fully warmed up the engine idled more steadily and about 50 RPM lower than with a QC installed. The exhaust note had a more distinctive "crackle" to it on acceleration and over-run. On a 50 mile test ride I found that I no longer had any issues at WOT. Before, with the QC installed, I could feel the bike pull a little harder slightly off WOT than with the throttle pinned open. Now it felt like WOT was the maximum. I assume the slight restriction from the QC at WOT was the culprit. Although a bit louder, the exhaust note with no QC was not more offensive or annoying...it just has a crisper tone. Now these impressions are from the saddle. It could very well be that ears on side of the road as I fly by would hear something else entirely. But from a riding perspective I was not finding it any harder to tolerate the open can compared to the slightly restricted can. And the power is definitely better at the top end. The engine pulls a little quicker from 5K on up. One note about clearance with the Barker. I found two small wear marks from the can making contact with the bottom of the engine case...and I could see wear on the engine case as well. I took a small handled screwdriver and used the handle end to make a small dent over each wear mark in the can to provide clearance. Worth a close look if you have one or are contemplating installing one...make sure the can does not contact the case. Overall it's a great slip on for the money and I like the way it sounds with and without the QC. (Message edited by mountainstorm on January 16, 2011) | ||
| Boogiman1981 |
nice review. they make a carbon can too don't they? if so the dent for clearance won't be an option. but otherwise sounds good(lol) | ||
| Trider |
Great info- thanks Mountainstorm! I put mine on without the QC fully expecting that I'd need to add that component- never have felt the need though. I don't think it's too loud at all- it's puts up a very pleasant, if forceful, tone but even at higher RPMs I don't think too loud... I think it has a very balanced tone in fact. I've also wondered about the packing- thanks for the info. Could be that the QC helped to preserve some of the packing? Also, mine is a bit tight on top where you describe it; I'll have to check it more closely. Thanks for the tip! | ||
| Dannybuell |
PM me if you have no need for your quiet core. | ||
| Rhard |
I called Barkers a while back and there is not a carbon fiber option. It was a prototype that was never put into production | ||
| Jules |
The packing on my Barker disintegrated after 1000 miles BUT (and this is a BIG but) Tim replaced the silencer for free - including shipping to the UK with next day delivery. It seems there was a SMALL batch of cans that had an inferior wadding in them. Since then I've put another 3k on the bike with the can fitted and there have been ZERO issues. I don't run the QC either and love the sound of the pipe and Tim's customer service is amongst the best i have ever experienced. It's good to know I can look forward to another several thousand miles of trouble free enjoyment  | ||
| Trider |
Jules- ditto on the service. I have not talked to Tim personally, but my friend has and he's very happy! Seems like he has put a high priority on delivering really good customer service. | ||
| 1_mike |
I bought and installed my Barker exhaust during the holidays...no quiet core installed but ordered the 1-5/8" core. Had to do much tuning from the HMF that was on it previously. After installing the 1-5/8" quiet core today (also while changing the oil!), I noticed no obvious change in idle sound....which is most of the reason I bought the extra piece..! I leave home at 5:30am...was trying to give my neighbors a break..! We'll see how it runs and sounds tomorrow on the road. WHEN EVER...you significantly change something in the exhaust...the intake needs changing also. Simple fact of the internal combustion engine. So when going from one exhaust to another that is....different (Barker's megaphone design), a fueling change would be required to get back to a "proper" fueled engine. If your engine runs better with the Barker than it did with whatever you had on before...it was too rich...before. The Barker requires more fuel than most others. Mike | ||
| Trider |
The Erik Buell Racing Race ECM for the Barker/Pump Gas is a perfect fit. The tuning is flawless. Just plug & play! | ||
| Torquaholic |
for those of you who switched from the HMF to barkers, how much of a difference is there in the sound level and tone between the two, if any at all? Thanks. (Message edited by torquaholic on January 16, 2011) | ||
| 1_mike |
Torqua - What you missed my HMF to Barker note just above...? Ok...on the freeway, the 1-5/8" sleeve IS a bit quieter than full open system above about 2500/3000 rpm. Somewhat smoother sounding also. To run "right", it also requires a retune. I have my fueling fairly close with the out of the box system. The Quiet core altered the fuel requirements a bit. I didn't buy it for the road specifically, I bought it to not wake up my neighbors at 5:30 in the morning. The "quiet" core does not help quiet things at idle. I'll most probably remove it tonight. Torqua - Yea, worth the money and swap time. Nicer made than most also. Mike | ||
| Torquaholic |
Mike, I misunderstood the original note above when you mentioned the quiet core insert. I understood it to mean you heard no obvious change in idle sound as compared to the barker without the insert, not as compared to the HMF. Sorry. I guess that means they're pretty close in sound output and quality? Thanks for the additional explanation though. I appreciate your input. I've had the HMF for a year now. There are times I leave at 7am; with the neighbors I've got, I try to push the bike a house or two down before starting it up. I'm might be a little too considerate, but I've got some great neighbors. I understand your situation completely. -Kevin | ||
| Jules |
I try to push the bike a house or two down before starting it up. I'm might be a little too considerate, but I've got some great neighbors. LOL - I used to do the same until one day they asked me why i was doing it. When I told them they laughed and said they were up anyway (watching me push the bike) and they thought I was doing it just to piss off the people in the house 3 doors down. | ||
| Bigevildoer |
Got an HMF on myself.. love it... Only one neighbour of mine has ever complained, and he just moved in in the middle of this past summer. Didn't make it a week before complaining about the startup noise and letting it idle for about 2 minutes while putting on my gear etc. I basically told him "the noise your kids make probably annoys me as much as my bike does you. We're even." Last complaint I heard from him. :-) | ||
| Mountainstorm |
I took a 300 mile spin the other day in the 34F weather. The bike loves the cold, makes more power. The Barker is definitely louder without the quiet core...but I like it...it's got a great tone. 85 in 6th is glorious. I even got the front up in 4th winding it up to 9K...just a little. WOT in 6th brings me to 152...I'm not exactly aerodynamic in my bunny suit. (Message edited by mountainstorm on January 17, 2011) | ||
| Trider |
34 degrees! Yikes!! I'm in CO and I can't get the tires to stick well enough below 50 to make it worth while...  | ||
| Mountainstorm |
I'm trying to learn about drifting  | ||
| 1_mike |
Did some (a lot actually) mapping changes last night and removed the "quiet core". Mapping changes worked...great, quiet core change...not really much difference in sound. I do like the sound of the Barker better than the HMF (most straight thru, open core mufflers) at speed (over about 45mph). I remember my Pro Gas car I owned a "few" years back...also sounded a little different thAn most small block Chevys with my megaphone collectors. Mike | ||
| Mountainstorm |
Has anyone repacked their Barker yet? I can't see any way to do it without drilling the rivets. The end caps are both too small an I.D. to pass the core/packing through. | ||
| Jules |
Yes - the old can I had (before the free replacement). I just drilled the rivets off the tailpiece end, the centre tube just fell out. I repacked it with a repack kit ofr a KTM and blanket packing, steel wired that in place. You do have to get the packing "just" right to get the tube to sit on the lip by the reverse megaphone part but it was relatively simple. I haven't refitted it yet, I just have it there as a spare but it looks/feels fine. Don't pack it too tightly otherwise it'll actually be louder as the exhaust gas seeks the path of least resistance and ends up as a straight through. | ||
| Dannybuell |
I bought my Barker used and tore out the packing. It is almost as loud as the D&D on my S1. Last Call: Anyone want to sell me their quiet core? | ||
| Rt_performance |
Well i might have been in the bad run of can's. mine was nearly empty running it 10k miles over the summer. Never had a quite core in it. But i have road the hell out of it and had allot of substained rpm on my 3 track days | ||
| Dannybuell |
Friday night I got pulled over by a MC cop on my CR with gutted Barker. He said I should slow down and that my muffler was loud. I got a warning! Sunday was a good day for a ride. With the gutted Barker I put over 100 miles on the bike in farm country. The geometric nature of farm country means lots of straightaways and 20 mph turns. A gutted Barker is louder than the gutted D&D on my S1. Riding behind some spirited HD riders I got to use the engine more than what would happen in the city. Quick in the straights and not so quick in the corners. Going from swift straightaway speeds to 90 degree curves with speed markings of 20 mph. The Harleys were hitting them at 40. Downshifting seems smoother and easier. The engine is so willing now. losing 30-40 mph with downshifting from 6th to 2nd with light braking into these tight turns. Upshifting is also smoother and easier. Over and over, again and again for several hours. With temperatures in the low 50s things were cold but not uncomfortably cold. | ||
| Puzzled |
Last Call: Anyone want to sell me their quiet core? They are $20 plus shipping new! I have all 3 sizes and the 1 1/2" seems to be about right for me. Once I set my bike back up for the street that is the one I'll be running again. I sell more of the 1 1/2" quiet cores than any other size. Occasionaly I'll sell a 1" to the European crowd as they keep them for the "fix it" tickets.} | ||
| Dannybuell |
I just ordered the 1" quiet core $20.00 and the repacking kit $20.00 from Mike at Barkers. | ||
| Mountainstorm |
$20 is a good deal for repacking I think. I'll have to check that out. | ||
| Oysterman |
Does the barker pop at all on deceleration?? | ||
| Jules |
Mine does that VERY rarely, but that really is a very rare occurence, most of the time (99 times out of 100) it just "burbles" in a menacing sort of way.. | ||
| Dannybuell |
With the stock ECM, no packing in the Barker, and no quiet core there is no popping at all. | ||
| 1_mike |
Oysterman - Funny...the exhaust "isn't" doing the popping..! It's just the end result of other location problems/situations. The leaness in the intake causes the popping. Or a leaky header gasket may also cause this. Richen (3% to start) the first line (or two) of the fuel map cells, starting about 2500rpm, to about 5000rpm. That will get rid of the decell. popping if you don't have an exhaust leak. The popping does no harm, for what it's worth. Well...maybe it'll tear up the muffler packing a little if the popping is real bad.. Mike |
