Baffles : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

Bob Whritenour · 02-16-2003, 06:05 PM

I just removed my Vance and Hines aftermarket pipes from my Fatboy. I am second owner of bike and assumed the baffles were removed from pipes because it just sounded as if they were gone..but no, they're there!My question now is.....when I was growing up driving Honda's, my Dad always said "Son, if you take those baffles out you'll warp your valves"....is that a true statement where HD's are concerned? I've ordered new Vance and Hines and would like to run w/o baffles, but don't want to mess anything up.

Thanks for any advice.

FLHT · 02-16-2003, 07:14 PM

I always heard that story too, but with a 3' long pipe on the bike it would be hard for a blast of cold air to get all the way to the valve to warp it.
Anyway I've run open drag pipes on sporties for years and the only thing that happened is I cant hear very good anymore.
Or could that be old age

Bob Whritenour · 02-16-2003, 07:37 PM

Thanks for the reply...I know what you mean about not hearing...I do that with the old lady all the time!

hdlarry · 02-17-2003, 01:18 AM

Should be able to run without the baffles and not suffer any damage. You may loose some back pressure thus a little low end, mid-range torque loss. Just my 0.02 cents.