We have a code around the Bikernet headquarters, but it has a performance additive. We don’t build custom bikes with straight pipes anymore. We have never been big straight pipes fans. They were designed for wide open on the drag strip, and don’t idle for shit because of a lack of backpressure.
Low end tuning with straight pipes is a problem and your engine won’t generally be very happy until it feels some backpressure. Then there are those loud pipe restrictions that bring us outlaws down. I know loud pipes save lives, and I believe that, but straight pipes push the boundaries and rattle the neighbors’ windows.
Years ago cops jumped all over anyone who ran straight pipes, so I always attempted to run something that indicated a muffler, even if it wasn’t. Ed Martin, or Mr. Lucky came up with the perfect solution for brothers who want the man off their backs, and add a modicum of backpressure for a happy V-twin. You can tell when your engine is comfy. It idles like a dream, jumps when your crack the throttle (no popping to stumbling), and hauls ass.
When Mr. Lucky announced these new puppies I immediately had a candidate for a tech article, the new Amazing Shrunken FXR owner, Buster. He was up for it, tired of slipping through town trying to dodge the cops, plus the Rev Tech engine stumbled from time to time, and didn’t idle comfortably.
He rolled into the extreme Interplanetary Bikernet Headquarters and we popped it onto the lift. Since we were working with an FXR configuration, there were additional considerations. We needed the system to be tight and securely mounted to the drive train. Since the engine and trans was rubber mounted and moving around, we needed an exhaust system to float with the driveline.
Ray C. Wheeler, Buster, and I all eyed the system, and where to cut it for the best looks, performance, clearance, and alignment. It’s always more tricky than we anticipated. Ray cut the exhaust, with a Makita cut-off wheel. These mufflers come with two diameters on the ends, for building flexibility. One end is 1 ½ I.D. and the other is 1 ¾ I.D. We wanted to determine which end would give us the best performance. We chose the 1-¾ end to weld to the existing pipe. We disconnected the battery, hooked a welding ground lead to the engine, filed the chrome off the muffler, ground a taper on the edge of the muffler, for solid penetration, and tacked them to the pipes.
Then we tested positioning and mounting. It was a trick to align the mufflers and secure a mounting bar to reach both mufflers. Buster made a short heat shield, but later we discovered that Mr. Lucky makes a couple of perfect heat shields for any application.
After all the components were made, we carefully cleaned my MIG welds, taped off the pipes, and gave them the heat flat-black, barbecue paint treatment. We like using this shit for several reasons. It allows us to test pipes and brackets without expensive coatings or chrome. Later, if Buster wants to add chrome or a ceramic coating he will have faced the road rigors first, and made any necessary adjustment mods before expensive finishes are applied.
I also used the MIG on this application to avoid additional chrome muffler destruction through heat caused by TIG welding. Of course, we could have installed the mufflers by cutting slots in them in installing clamps.
When we were finished, the bike immediately fired to life and you could tell an instantaneous difference in the sound, idle, and the engine comfort level with a healthy portion of back pressure.
These mufflers are also adjustable. They are suppressed with removable baffles and glass packs. If so desired a rider could install a set and remove any restriction, or remove the baffles, take out the glass packs and re-install the baffles. It’s cool to have all this flexibility with one product. In the near future, we will install a set on our XS Yamaha product. It has 1.5-inch header pipes, which is perfect for these mufflers.
I’m sure I’m going to test these puppies with other applications in the future. Here’s the tech info on the Shorty mufflers and the Mr. Lucky Heat Shields. I believe you can order the mufflers in chrome or powdered a brass or copper patina:
Universal Mount Shorty Muffler. Ant. Brass finish-Powder Coated
With one end fitting 1-3/4 exhaust pipes, and the other end fitting 1-1/2″ exhaust pipes, this is truly one versatile muffler! Called a “Shorty Muffler” for a reason it measures only 11-3/4″ in length, which looks ultra sweet on minimalistic retro rides.
The nostalgic Antique Brass finish is protected by a clear Powder Coat for lasting beauty and protection from corrosion. Comes complete with a welded-on stud and flat-strap allowing universal mounting to just about any ride. Sounds good too!
Universal 9″ Perforated Heat Shield. Brass-Clear Powder Coat
This conveniently sized 9″ long heatshield can be placed almost anywhere you want. Protects from burning your boots, pants, and flesh! Cool perforated pattern. Also available in a 6″ length. Finished in nostalgic Antique Brass, protected with a Clear Powder Coating for lasting beauty and resistance to corrosion. Badass lookin’!
