Motorcycle Repair: 2001 Shadow Ace, fuel air mixture, fuel mixture

Question
Will it damage the engine on my 750 Shadow if I remove the baffles from the back of the pipes?  The pipes are Cobra pipes and one of the baffles fell out going down the road.  Should I replace it or take the other out?

Answer
Trent,

when you change the exhaust system it
changes the fuel/air mixture your bike
requires. By removing the baffles you
will be leaning out the fuel mixture
which can result in a lack of power,
possible backfiring and overheating.
These conditions need to resolved
by rejetting the carburetors.
The bike may be louder but that doesn't
mean it has more power. Without the
backpressure the baffle provides
the fuel mixture in the engine
tends to rush out the exhaust port
and is wasted, also reducing the
amount of fuel for compression
and power. If you feel it is
running okay and you like the
louder pipes, check the plugs
and jet if necessary to get
a light brown colored electrode.
If the plugs are light colored
or whitish, the carbs will
need rejetting.(bigger main jet)