Motorcycle Repair: Baffles, honda 1800, exhaust pipes

Question
Chris, I own a 02 honda 1800 VTX.It has a cobra exhaust system.Last weekend while on a 700 mi ride it got louder and started to backfire often during decelleration.Did it blow out a baffle? Can it be re packed? how is that done. I think it is so cool that you are sharing your knowledge for free with total strangers all over the world.
 Thanks

Answer
Hi David.
 A blown baffle is not replacable at all.  Those parts are welded into the internal part of the muffler.  My thought is that a part of the manifold, either at the head or at the muffler has come loose or possibly blown off a section.  If the underside exhaust pipes are rusted, then it is a very strong possibility.

Examine the entire exhaust system from top to bottom, looking for loose coupling/connecting points and holes.  If it is all ok, then you may well have blown a baffle, as unlikely as that is, in which case, you will need a new exhaust pipe.

If you have a hole in the header pipe, you can either take it somewhere and get a piece welded over the hole or you can replace the header pipe.

If it's none of the above, then you may have a tuning problem, but start with the exhaust first.

Good luck.
FALCON