Pro-Pipe Baffle Packing : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

nosmoking962 · 09-30-2009, 06:28 PM

Took off the end cap and removed the baffle out of my PP last night to throw a hose clamp around one row of holes.
I was quite surprised to see the baffle packing was pretty much non-existent. Looked like a bunch of burnt feathers!! Pipe is new and has only been on the bike 3 weeks or so. I took out the little packing that was there and tossed it in the garbage.
Question is, does it need to be repacked. The amount that was in there wasn't doing squat. What is the purpose of the packing in the first place.
Where would a fellow get more if required??
Haven't had a chance to run the bike without the packing but it sounds the same at idol.

Input??

DueceDog · 09-30-2009, 09:13 PM

I've experimented with packing on my ProPipe. Yes, it will make a difference in sound. It will be louder without the packing. Wanna have some fun? Start her up without the baffle in. If you like it well enough to run it that way, then I would strongly suggest re-tuning (and a set ear plugs).

You can pickup the packing material at any shop that sells dirt bike stuff, including major brand bike dealers. I get mine at the local Yamaha dealer. It's about $11 for a roll, which is good for several repackings.

Ed Y · 09-30-2009, 11:24 PM

Save yourself the trouble and skip the standard packing material. Get some 10 oz fiberglass cloth, cut it and use it for the packing. Put in enough to fill the packing slot to the top. The fiberglass cloth will last almost forever.

nosmoking962 · 10-01-2009, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed Y

Save yourself the trouble and skip the standard packing material. Get some 10 oz fiberglass cloth, cut it and use it for the packing. Put in enough to fill the packing slot to the top. The fiberglass cloth will last almost forever.

Should it be wrapped tightly or a bit lose?
Given that its tucked into that groove in the baffle, is it necessary to secure it with a wrap of wire?

Ed Y · 10-01-2009, 08:31 AM

I like to wrap tightly and use a couple of wraps of mechanic's wire to hold the cloth in.

nightrob · 10-01-2009, 09:22 AM

2nd the fibre glass cloth. You can also pick it up at autozone walmart and other places. its pretty much the same crap used for boat/autobody repair. It last longer than the standard packing material.

nosmoking962 · 10-01-2009, 12:12 PM

Thanks to all for the info.
I packed it with fiberglass cloth and secured it with a couple of wraps of wire. Sounds real good too and maybe it's just me but I think it pulls a bit harder with one row of baffle holes blocked off!

TheNowhereman · 10-01-2009, 05:32 PM

It might, your introducing more back pressure into it.

nosmoking962 · 10-01-2009, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheNowhereman

It might, your introducing more back pressure into it.

Somebody school me here....if I am introducing more back pressure into the engine would this lean it out or fatten it up??
I ask because I was lean with a 46 at 3 turns out, but since repacking and blocking off a row of holes I seem to be a bit fat at 2 1/2 out. I would have thought that introducing more back pressure would have leaned the mix even further but it seems to be the opposite.

vindex1963 · 10-01-2009, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nosmoking962

Somebody school me here....if I am introducing more back pressure into the engine would this lean it out or fatten it up??
I ask because I was lean with a 46 at 3 turns out, but since repacking and blocking off a row of holes I seem to be a bit fat at 2 1/2 out. I would have thought that introducing more back pressure would have leaned the mix even further but it seems to be the opposite.

More back pressure makes it fatter. Less air.

ceraaa42 · 10-01-2009, 07:17 PM

I was told by my tuner that with more back pressure the engine will scavange better at low end. It will be leaner at lower rpms, then rich at the top since it will be more restricted under high throttle.

nosmoking962 · 10-01-2009, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ceraaa42

I was told by my tuner that with more back pressure the engine will scavange better at low end. It will be leaner at lower rpms, then rich at the top since it will be more restricted under high throttle.

Seems reasonable enough but.....

Quote:

Originally Posted by vindex1963

More back pressure makes it fatter. Less air.

Do you mean makes it fatter as you increase in the RPM range or makes it fatter right from idol all they way up thru?

vindex1963 · 10-01-2009, 07:58 PM

I always heard that restriction made the motor run fatter but ceraaa42 makes sense to me. I'm not sure now. I guess back pressure at lower RPM wouldn't mean much.

nosmoking962 · 10-01-2009, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vindex1963

I always heard that restriction made the motor run fatter but ceraaa42 makes sense to me. I'm not sure now. I guess back pressure at lower RPM wouldn't mean much.

I would have thought more back pressure gave you more down low pulling power and less restriction opend up the ponies at high RPM. Kinda like the properties of an unrestricted drag pipe, soft on the bottom and max hp up top.

In my case, I definately added more back pressure by repacking the baffle and blocking off a row of holes and that definately fattened it up. I was lean at 3 out before the repack and block and now I am fat at 2 1/2. No dyno but I am quite certain it pulls harder down low now. Certainly no less than before.

Having said all this I agree with you, what ceraaa said seems to make the most sense. I'll just dial it in and ride!!

vindex1963 · 10-01-2009, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nosmoking962

I would have thought more back pressure gave you more down low pulling power and less restriction opend up the ponies at high RPM. Kinda like the properties of an unrestricted drag pipe, soft on the bottom and max hp up top.

In my case, I definately added more back pressure by repacking the baffle and blocking off a row of holes and that definately fattened it up. I was lean at 3 out before the repack and block and now I am fat at 2 1/2. No dyno but I am quite certain it pulls harder down low now. Certainly no less than before.

Having said all this I agree with you, what ceraaa said seems to make the most sense. I'll just dial it in and ride!!

I for one can make myself nuts pondering the science of what's best for my bike. I've adjusted my Fuel Pak at least a dozen times. Your last line said it all.