RK Muffler Mod

[sargergp]

I haven't seen anything mentioned like this on here yet, so I thought I'd mention it. I wanted something with just a little more volume than the OEM, but not as loud as the Baron's 4-2-4 that came with my bike, which I've got on Ebay right now. I was lucky enough to have a neighbor who rode a Harley and the other day I mentioned the RK muffler mod I had read about on here. He said he still had the ones he took off his '01 that I could have if I wanted to try it.

Anyway, what I learned from him was the mod lots of Harley RK owners do to theirs to get the slight increase they wanted. You don't have to do any drilling or grinding!! When you look inside the baffles what you're seeing at the end of them is actually just a plug that is spot welded in place. There are two of them, one facing each end. All you have to do is find a bar or piece of thick wall pipe just slightly smaller than the opening and hammer it all the way through the muffler. It will knock both plugs out, then you have one continuous baffle straight through just like the old "Cherry Bomb" mufflers for cars. I did it and it turned up my highway volume just a little bit, but with a really nice tone. And the sweet part is the nice rumble you get when you take off that drops off as you level out.

So there it is; the simplest exhaust mod I've heard of yet. And to think I had to learn it from a Harley owner!!

[Squidley]

There are Many of us that have done and still do this, matter of fact I make a set of brackets to install them on the RSV. The sound is good and even drilled out they aren't obnoxious. It really is the simplest way to get a better sound out of the RSV, I still have to put the set on my new one that I bought in July

[gunboat]

hi sarge

ponch has the rk pipes on this rsv and it realy sounds good. my used '99 had bub's installed on it when i bought it. i like the bub's, but i belive i would have gone with the rk's if it schoot still had the oem pipes on it.

best reguards

don c.

[sargergp]

There are Many of us that have done and still do this, matter of fact I make a set of brackets to install them on the RSV. The sound is good and even drilled out they aren't obnoxious. It really is the simplest way to get a better sound out of the RSV, I still have to put the set on my new one that I bought in July

 

Thanks for the note. I looked and looked and found a lot here about them, but I don't remember seeing the part about the plugs, other than drilling them out. As for the brackets, I'm a mechanic by profession and have my own metal work equipment so I made some brackets myself. It worked out great.

[Venturing Sole]

I've got a set of stock R/K pipes on my RSV. Been listening to them for a month or so. I like the idle sound. Great low rumble. Very different harmonics compared to the RSV pipes, but the whine is still very noticeable upon accelleration. I may drill out, but I was wondering if anyone knows what the sound difference would be if only the front end baffle was drilled out? Leave the rear end baffle in place to defeat the "stick test". Would it give the same sound as it would if you drilled out the rear and left the front in place?

[bmannon]

What about a set off an '07, How do ya get the catalytic converter out?

The reason I ask is someone offered me a set, but I havent taken delivery yet.

[KiteSquid]

If they are free take em!!!

 

 

 

Have yo looked on the H-D forums about the cadalidic converter mods?

[eagleeye]

I drilled my catalytic converter out. (06 RK) Just use a long 1/4", or so, drill bit and drill a series of holes around the OD of the converter and punch it out from the other end with a long pipe or bar. No big deal. Use plenty of cutting oil, and then when you start it up, don't panic when it smokes like crazy. It's just burning up all that cutting oil.

 

Steve

[bmannon]

I drilled my catalytic converter out. (06 RK) Just use a long 1/4", or so, drill bit and drill a series of holes around the OD of the converter and punch it out from the other end with a long pipe or bar. No big deal. Use plenty of cutting oil, and then when you start it up, don't panic when it smokes like crazy. It's just burning up all that cutting oil.

 

Steve

 

so the converter is close enuff to the end to drill it out with a std length bit? or do i need an extension?

[eagleeye]

A standard length bit will not work. you need one that's about 12" long.

Should be easy to find one. The catalytic converter itself is quite long, can't say for sure, but maybe 5". I could measure the one I drilled out when I get home.

 

Steve

[bmannon]

A standard length bit will not work. you need one that's about 12" long.

Should be easy to find one. The catalytic converter itself is quite long, can't say for sure, but maybe 5". I could measure the one I drilled out when I get home.

 

Steve

 

nuthin is ever ez is it

[eagleeye]

The catalytic converter is 3 1/2" long. You should be able to find a long drill bit at a hardware store, like ACE. Better yet, harbor freight.

It really isn't that bad of a job. When you drill the holes, just keep them as close to each other as you can.

 

Go for it,

Steve

[bmannon]

The catalytic converter is 3 1/2" long. You should be able to find a long drill bit at a hardware store, like ACE. Better yet, harbor freight.

It really isn't that bad of a job. When you drill the holes, just keep them as close to each other as you can.

 

Go for it,

Steve

 

Oh I will definatly be doing it!

[Ponch]

I was going to drill out the cat, but decided to try it first. I'm glad I did. The R/G pipes are quiet enough in normal driving and idle. Under moderately to heavy acceleration, they bark pretty good and are plenty loud for me.

 

Ponch

[bmannon]

I was going to drill out the cat, but decided to try it first. I'm glad I did. The R/G pipes are quiet enough in normal driving and idle. Under moderately to heavy acceleration, they bark pretty good and are plenty loud for me.

 

Ponch

 

I doubt they will be for me, I actually took my mufflers off and a ran a set of turndown tips slid up on the stubs coming out of the collector (I have a 1st gen), it sounded perfect, but I didnt like how it looked without the mufflers. So I cut the back off the mufflers (the necked down portion on one was almost rusted in two so I didnt feel too bad doing it) and gutted them best I could. They sound pretty good now but I need to do something to clean up how they look. Just looks like a big open megaphone from the rear. I will post pics later in case anyone is interested.

[okscott]

I may drill out, but I was wondering if anyone knows what the sound difference would be if only the front end baffle was drilled out? Leave the rear end baffle in place to defeat the "stick test". Would it give the same sound as it would if you drilled out the rear and left the front in place?

 

 

This is what I did. Nice rumble without being obnoxious. I did it thinking I could always drill the back ones with the pipes on the bike. Never have done that as I like the sound of em now.

[bmannon]

here are pics of my ''megaphoned'' exhaust...

http://bmannon.smugmug.com/photos/388921908_stfta-O.jpg

 

http://bmannon.smugmug.com/photos/388921905_yj2Lf-M.jpg

 

http://bmannon.smugmug.com/photos/388921925_xs3DU-M.jpg