Tail Gunner here! I’ve been running the Screamin’ Eagle exhaust system for a while on my old Softail. They perform well, but lack the sound and midrange of other more comparable mufflers such as Cycle Shack or Paughco. I didn’t really want to sink another $300 to $400 in another set of pipes, so I opted for a set of Big City Thunder SE2 replacement baffles for way less than half the money of a new exhaust system.
I ordered them straight off their web site and they arrived in a few days. Before installation I decided to take a couple of measurements and see what the design looked like. The baffles tapper in the middle to approx. 2 inches with a reversion ring (back pressure) installed towards the end of the baffle unit.
Exhaust designs vary from each manufacturer, and there are hundreds of designs, but I think ultimately they all have to do the same thing, quiet the bike enough not to annoy the neighbors and perform! I compared the two baffles side by side, as you can see the SE baffles are crimped and force the exhaust flow around the crimp and through a set of holes.
The Big City Thunders are a straight through shot, tapering in the middle with just enough back pressure supplied by the reversion ring.
Installation was a snap! Remove the old baffles by removing the two 7/16 lock nuts and bolts holding them in.
You may need to coax the old baffles out, I used a seal puller and rubber mallet, a small tap and they were loose. It’s a no brainer from here, just slip the new baffle in and secure using the new lock nuts and bolts supplied.
Now for the test ride! I decided the River Run was perfect, so off I went, about 400 miles one way for me. There’s a huge difference in sound, and my mid range and top end improved dramatically. The biggest thing I noticed was car drivers heads turning as I pulled up on them, they definitely knew I was there!
–Tail Gunner out, till next time.
