quick, easy exhaust fun!

[vanson1200r]

So I did it. I was very skeptical at first but I gave it a try. With the airbox cover off and the exhaust cable disconnected I started the motor and cycled the cable back and forth. What happened was a much bigger change in sound than I expected! I did the ziptie trick and took it for a spin. It spun up quicker off idle and according to my butt dyno maybe even spun up faster than with the cable connected. Also did some slow first gear trolling and it seemed pretty smooth. I'm going to leave the zipties on. Good cheap mod!

 

[lifeisafractal]

I found that I got some serious back firing on engine decel from high RPMs. I undid this mod and everything went back to normal. This seems to make sense as I think the fuel system would be open loop on engine decel so you are leaning out your mixture.

 

[JJsXB9Sx]

Any negative effects on the bike? Reasons not to? I don't wanna mod my exhaust until the warranty is up but since this is reversible I like this idea.

 

[DrogeN Omen]

I have been riding with this mod since December and haven't had any issues, it sounds great and no loss or gain in power nothing noticeably different.

 

[FLBuell]

New to the forum...just picked up a used 2007 XB12Ss and have put a couple hundred miles on so far. I was looking at this exhaust valve mod and I'm going to try it this evening. For those still using this mod are you pretty satisfied that all is good and that there is no negative impact like the mixture being to lean, etc.?

 

[BuellRider3158]

I'm satisfied with it for sure. Been running it since around june/July and its worked perfect until i get exhaust this winter.

 

[beaterbaja]

I never noticed anything negative, I rode this way from when I posted it till I finally got my Hawk. If you dont like it after you try it and ride for a while, just cut the ties off, hook the cable back up and you'll be back to stock! let me know how it goes

 

[moshaholic2]

the bikes (atleast mine - 09 xb12ss) popped on decel stock... you have to listen for it because it is mutted w/ the valve. You can definately listen close to a stocker and hear it muted inside the can.

Did the mod, cause it's simple. I get a little popping on decel now, a little louder cause the pipe is open, but no more than i did "stock".

bike sounds better and seems to have smoothed out in low speed, low rev department

 

[FLBuell]

Thanks for the info, I did the mod and took it out for an hour or so and it sounds awesome. A buddy of mine, who owns an 06 Firebolt, heard about what I was doing through a friend and ended up doing the same mod to his bike today.

He called me to let me know it's sounds and performs great but he suspects the a/f mixture is too lean because the pipes are getting hotter. Let me add that I'm a real novice when it comes to these motors and I couldn't tell you if my bike was running hotter or not.

His experience is with carbureted sportsters and that's where he's drawing his conclusions from. Anyway, shy of taking it to a shop and checking the a/f mixture I'm not sure of any way to truly know what's going on there.

So, any other way to determine if everything is within tolerances?

 

[kbizzini]

Does an 2003 XB9S have the same parts to where I could mod mine as well?

 

[DrogeN Omen]

should do... just take off the airbox cover and you should see the cable.

 

[DeeBuell]

Did the mod on my 2010 Xb12Ss, can't wait to try it.
Thanks for the redneck tricks

 

[okey]

I have just completed this mod cause its pissing down raining and i wanted to fiddle. I got some thick walled vacume hose that i had at work. Removed the airbox cover and the little cover from top of the servo motor.Carefully retracted the servo to open position and was easily able to remove the cable.Started the bike and had a play with the cable to hear the difference and feel how much tension was on the cable..has a little but easily modded this way. I measured the amount of play in the cable in the open position and cut a piece of the vacume line to size.Slit the vacume line down the middle with a razor blade and opened it up.Placing it around the exposed cable and using the line to constantly pull the cable open. a zip tie up towards the head end of the cable and a wrapping of black cloth tape. I tucked it out of the way and its completely covered by the servo shield when re fitted. You cannot tell its even been moved. I started it up and let it run for a couple of minutes and it sounds FAT !! love it ...cant wait till i can get a ride on it and feel/ hear the difference.Thanks a great deal beaterbaja

 

[beaterbaja]

[cool][up]
Not too bad for less than a buck and 5 minutes work huh

 

[DeeBuell]

I did 1500Km since the mod (mostly back roads) and the bike has been riding same as new, no difference at all...except maybe a little more torque at low rev.
Can't wait for winter to chop off muffler hawk style...will send pictures when done.

 

[Blue xb12]

I know that this is an older thread,but are any of you posters above still on this forum?

If so, how's this mod working for you?

Anyone else have results, concerns or info gained from trying this mod?

Thanks, Brad

 

[buelljek]

Im gonna try it asap! Ill let you know

 

[beaterbaja]

Blue, and Jek- when I did this to my bike and my boss's heard it, he had to have it done too. we both loved the way it sounded... Until I came in with my Hawk, then he had to have that one too

But it's a great way to make a lil noise until you can afford what you want. The biggest plus I found was a better sound without cutting up anything (reversible if you dont like it((but you will)) . lemmie know how it works out for you

 

[gunut75]

I did this to my stock can yesterday. Next, I'm going to get a longer cable, and make a system to open or close the valve at my discretion. I will also shut it off in ECM Spy so I can remove the actuator. Maybe just make the dongle to trick the ECM. Either way: I'll call it silent choice. Nice to have options like that.

 

[CowboyKS]

Beaterbaha - great mod. I second 12SX my '08 12S "feel" like it rolls no much better with no stutter or hesitation, and less vibration. It also sounds like a Buell should. Zero negative to report and I haven't even ridden enough for the ECM to relearn yet.

This is my only perf mod so far. Just picked up the pieces for the crankcase breather.