Motorcycle Repair: pipes, chopper design, drag pipes


Question
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Followup To
Question -
Johnny, I sent one of these a few days ago but don't think it went through. 1) I know you are not a fan of torque cones but might they be beneficial in drag pipes to add some backpressure? 2) If adding baffles, such as Krome Werks HP baffles that aren't too flow restrictive, would you not use the cones? These baffles are designed similar to the AR 2 systems. But you probably knew that. 3) What baffles would you reccommend? I like loud ok but prefer toned, less bark and more growl. I am aware of the low and midrange loss when using drag pipes but was wondering; 4) how much restoring some of the restriction might help. I am installing 2" Santee Venoms (Big Bear Chopper design) on a 107 c.i. S&S with S&S Super E. I know it's no dragster, but 5) would this engine, the one Big Dog puts in it's bikes be considered high performance and if so would it warrant the same considerations when using drag pipes that smaller engines do such as re-jetting, free flow breather etc?       I want to thank you in advance for your no b.s. advice and help. You are one of a few.--------Garry
P.S. One of the dudes here wanted me to ask why the Vance Hines short shots are so sorry.
Answer -
Hi Garry
I spent 3 years testing every exhaust system I could get my hands on I also tested every type of baffle I could get. and also the cones for the heads. None of them worked. I have cut them 1 inch at a time from 12 inches to 2 inches, I cut baffles 2 inch at a time from 12 inches to 2 inches, I cut baffles 3 inch at a time fro 12 inches to 3 inches you are getting my picture?  NONE of the WORKED all of them hert horse power and torque. If you want a great exhaust for your bike that is very loud and has baffles in them and are still loud but work good in the lowend and midrange and good on top end then there is no other choise other then CYCLE SHACK'S PHD 2" stepped Headers. And why are the vance and hines short shot or long shots or lets do a lot of shots dont work?. The exhaust is the wrong lenght and size diameter and the baffles are NO GOOD. The 107 like I said before. It is not a Hi-performance motor. It has a lot of work to be done to wake up that motor. Johnny 602-705-7474

Johnny, thanks again for your prompt and straightforward advice. There is no question in my mind you know your business. That's why you are my #1 source. One more thought on this subject. There are a lot of builders, Orange County, West Coast Choppers etc. that use these drag pipes on their high dollar machines. Are they and their customers giving up the integrity and performance of these expensive bikes for looks or is there a big difference between those and your average Harley that would allow the use of the pipes without the drawbacks? I hope that doesn't sound like too dumb a question.
Much obliged,
Garry  

Answer
Orange county been building bike for 3 years and no one that works for them is a factory certified Harley Tech. There bikes run like crap, Same for Jessy. His bikes run even poorer the OCC bikes. None have ever been tuned correctly. There are indeed giving up lots of performance and integrity in there bikes for LOOKS. It is just not my style to give up a well tuned engine for some loud look good pipes and have my bike broke down on the side of the road  Take care my friend  Johnny