Is this a spec ops exhaust? Or was I mislead?

[Samuraispirit90]

I just received this exhaust, seller claims it is a spec ops exhaust and that the previous owner repaired the bottom. Because of the repair I've been suspicious of its genuinity. I have no idea what the inside of a legit spec ops exhaust is to compare to what I have, I hope someone can shed some light on this for me. Also my bike is a 09 xb12scg, with it being originally a xb9 muffler I know I will have to do the actuator bypass. I'm curious as to whether I need to get the race ecm because it's going on a xb12.

 

[oh9bolt]

I am the seller and it is a Spec Ops that was repaired by previous owner. I don't know why it was repaired, but was told that it was purchased new from Odie at Spec Ops.

 

[Samuraispirit90]

Thanks oh9bolt, knowing you are a active member of buellxb I'm at ease. I would like to say my apologies, for I don't mean to offend, just not much information online about this pipe and too many bad buys on my end as of late.

 

[Endopotential]

My muffler looks exactly like that one, at least externally. Do I not have a stock one then?

Mine looks completely empty on the inside, I don't even see two internal pipes. Should there be some packing inside?
Except for the welded top plate at the front end, I don't see any indication that it has been hacked apart.

I got my bike from the local shop, and they don't know much about its previous history.

I'm continuing my Buell education. Are the Spec Ops and Hawk just modified versions of the stock muffler?

 

[GregoXB]

The aftermarket XB 12 Spec Ops muffler, retains the function of the OEM exhaust servo that sits on top of the inner air box and is wired to the OEM butterfly valve that resides inside the muffler. The XB9 Spec Op (and OEM XB 9 exhaust set up) does not utilize a servo or an internal butterfly valve, so essentially it is just a gutted stock muffler.

If you are going to put the 9 Spec Op on a 12, you are going to have to do tuning, delete the servo + wiring, and delete the exhaust code on the ECM that will pop up when you disconnect the servo. Probably a custom tune would be best, but an OTS map for an XB12 Drummer or Hawk would probably be pretty close.

Hawk 9/12 - gutted stock muffler with some welded dividers inside to increase back pressure.
Spec Op 9 - gutted stock muffler
Spec Op 12 - gutted stock muffler and keeps the OEM butterfly valve inside.
Drummer 9/12- Gutted stock muffler with some packing
Drummer SS 9/12 - Custom stainless steel muffler with packing
Dean Adams RT XB1 9/12- Custom dual exhaust
Dean Adam XB 2 9/12- Uses a Magna flow muffler
D&D 9/12- custom dual exhaust
Jardine 9/12- Custom single exhaust with packing
Buell Race Muffler 9/12 - Custom hollow exhaust with a chamber in the back

 

[Silverrider]

I had a XB 12 and the cable was broke down at the valve, and it worked fine, no cel, I am guessing when the was enough pressure it opened. So another option could be keep the servo wired but un hook the cable when using a 9 Spec on a XB12.

 

[njloco]

That's pretty much what mine looks like except, it still has the valve, and you bought it from a very reputable seller, as you already know !

 

[Samuraispirit90]

The aftermarket XB 12 Spec Ops muffler, retains the function of the OEM exhaust servo that sits on top of the inner air box and is wired to the OEM butterfly valve that resides inside the muffler. The XB9 Spec Op (and OEM XB 9 exhaust set up) does not utilize a servo or an internal butterfly valve, so essentially it is just a gutted stock muffler.

If you are going to put the 9 Spec Op on a 12, you are going to have to do tuning, delete the servo + wiring, and delete the exhaust code on the ECM that will pop up when you disconnect the servo. Probably a custom tune would be best, but an OTS map for an XB12 Drummer or Hawk would probably be pretty close.

Hawk 9/12 - gutted stock muffler with some welded dividers inside to increase back pressure.
Spec Op 9 - gutted stock muffler
Spec Op 12 - gutted stock muffler and keeps the OEM butterfly valve inside.
Drummer 9/12- Gutted stock muffler with some packing
Drummer SS 9/12 - Custom stainless steel muffler with packing
Dean Adams RT XB1 9/12- Custom dual exhaust
Dean Adam XB 2 9/12- Uses a Magna flow muffler
D&D 9/12- custom dual exhaust
Jardine 9/12- Custom single exhaust with packing
Buell Race Muffler 9/12 - Custom hollow exhaust with a chamber in the back

Thank you for this, very informative. This will help a lot of people who purchase a used exhaust to validate authenticity. I've been looking into the Bluetooth dongles, specifically the buelltooth and ecmcables. Curious, do you have any experience or preference for either?

 

[Samuraispirit90]

I had a XB 12 and the cable was broke down at the valve, and it worked fine, no cel, I am guessing when the was enough pressure it opened. So another option could be keep the servo wired but un hook the cable when using a 9 Spec on a XB12.

Interesting, so the ecm doesn't recieve feedback from the butterfly valve?

 

[Samuraispirit90]

My muffler looks exactly like that one, at least externally. Do I not have a stock one then?

Mine looks completely empty on the inside, I don't even see two internal pipes. Should there be some packing inside?
Except for the welded top plate at the front end, I don't see any indication that it has been hacked apart.

I got my bike from the local shop, and they don't know much about its previous history.

I'm continuing my Buell education. Are the Spec Ops and Hawk just modified versions of the stock muffler?

That's what I was thinking as well, felt like something was missing

 

[GregoXB]

Three major give-a ways if you are trying to determine if your XB muffler is stock, is how many exit tips it has, how long it is and how loud it is. OEM mufflers will always have one exit port aimed toward the left side. The port will be coming out of the rear most side of the muffler, not directly out of the back of the muffler. The exit tip will protrude about 2-3 inches and aim to the side, or it will be a slightly longer exit tip that bends and aims toward the rear like on the Long and Uly. The muffler will be very long, and pretty close to the rear tire. Modified OEM exhausts are chopped at the rear by about four inches, and custom aftermarket exhausts are shorter. The sound will be very muffled on an OEM set up and will only roar a little if you really twist the throttle hard.

On the 12s, if the servo, wiring, and/or actuator on the muffler are missing, that is another give away. it is also possible that even if the muffler has all the signs of an original muffler, it could be from another bike. That would be hard to determine if it is from an identical model, but easy if it is off a different model, e.g. A Xb12ss Long exhaust on an XB12 SCG.

Be aware that exhaust modification on a Buell is extremely common and when buying a used one, the exhaust is almost always modified.

 

[GregoXB]

Stock exhausts:


Modified:



From left to right, Drummer, Buell Race muffler, OEM Xb 12ss/uly/stt muffler

 

[GregoXB]

More stock exhausts:

notice how the 9s have a smaller gauge tip within the tip

 

[Silverrider]

nope

 

[Endopotential]

From left to right, Drummer, Buell Race muffler, OEM Xb 12ss/uly/stt muffler
View attachment 9154

Thanks Greg, that's super helpful. Guess I may have some form of the Buell racing exhaust.

It's a bit louder than I'd like, and for me the bike has more than enough power currently. Think I can shove in a bunch of fiberglass muffler packing? I saw in other threads talk of finding stainless steel mesh, but that appears quite more expensive.