Removing baffles tips for noobs

[thebigtwosix]

I recently installed my Cobra Speedster Swept pipes myself and decided to remove the baffles to see just how loud LOUD can be.

Anyway, I found removing the little bastards to be pretty difficult. So I thought I would share some tips on how I finally got them out.

#1 - Before you start, go to Lowe's or wherever and purchase the following items unless you have them at home already:

- 10 1/2" Nail Pry Bar. Don't fart around with a bent clothes hanger or anything like that. You'll thank yourself later: http://www.lowes.com/pd_99322-16878-NP1005_0_?zipCode=75070&firstReferURL=http://www.lowes.com/pd_99322-16878-NP1005_0_%3FproductId%3D1204857%26Ntt%3Dnail%2Bcla w%26Ntk%3Di_products_cascade%26pl%3D1%26currentURL %3D/pl__0__s%3FnewSearch%3Dtrue$Ntt%3Dnail%2520claw$y% 3D0$x%3D0&catalogId=10051&catalogId=10051&productI d=1204857&pl=1&findStoreErrorURL=StoreLocatorDispl ayView&selectedLocalStoreBeanArray=[com.lowes.commerce.storelocator.beans.LocatorStore Bean%4023798ba,+com.lowes.commerce.storelocator.be ans.LocatorStoreBean%407df58ba,+com.lowes.commerce .storelocator.beans.LocatorStoreBean%407fdd8ba,+co m.lowes.commerce.storelocator.beans.LocatorStoreBe an%40500618ba,+com.lowes.commerce.storelocator.bea ns.LocatorStoreBean%40502498ba]&currentURL=/pl__0__s%3FnewSearch%3Dtrue$Ntt%3Dnail+claw$y%3D0$ x%3D0&Ntt=nail+claw&URL=TopCategoriesDisplayView&l angId=-1&langId=-1&storeId=10151&storeId=10151&Ntk=i_products_casca de

- WD-40.

- Gorilla Glue. I pulled the rubber handle right off the nail claw on the first try. The GG worked great, you just have to let it set up for about an hour.

- Small phillips screw driver. You'll need this remove the two small screws that hold the baffles in the pipes.

#2 - Try the baffles removal with cool to cold pipes. I read a few things about doing this with warm pipes, and I tried this, but quickly remembered metal expands when heated. Your experience might differ, but when I attempted removal with warm pipes, all I got was alot of sweat and hot hands. If you think heating will help, its easier to heat your pipes than cool them, so try the cold removal first. I'm just sayin'...

#3 - Gorilla Glue the rubber grip of the nail claw on. Trust me.

#4 - Remove the single screw on back side of each pipe which attaches the each baffle to the inside of the pipe. I removed my screws prior to exhaust system install because I figured it would be easier to get to them then. I know, I know...

#5 - Shoot a good amount of WD-40 into your baffles. Don't over-do it, but get enough in there to do the job.

#6 - Grab your bad ass nail claw and lie down behind your bike (if you're a righty) on your right side, with your right knee on the back tire. I put my left foot on the wife's SUV running board next to me for some extra leverage.

#7 - Run your nail claw inside the pipe of choice at an angle so you can hook it behind the area where the screw you removed earlier would fit, on the inside, obviously.

#8 - Use some elbow grease, and start pulling. I found that some harder yanks in the direction the pipes curve downward got the baffle moving better than a sustained pull.

That's it. You should have Cobra 2 pipes sans baffles. Upon starting my bike, I realized my time and little money spent to get them out was WELL worth it. It's really the same tone and bark with baffles installed, only LOUDER!

I'm not saying this is the best way, or mechanics way, or anything else. This is just the method I used to finally get those little boogers out. Any criticism, compliments, or otherwise is always welcome.

For some of us, the only way to learn is to DO, and learn as you go. Hope to see ya'll out on the road soon with some loud-ass pipes!

[mental]

No criticism, but I will stay with the slide hammer and L hook. They are out, and that was the point.

[thebigtwosix]

Originally Posted by mental

No criticism, but I will stay with the slide hammer and L hook. They are out, and that was the point.

Absolutely - good point - If you have something around the house that will get in there and grab them, use that instead and save your $9. All I had was clothes hangers, and that just wasn't stirring the kool-aid.

[460brevill]

#1 what mental said.if i had to do all that i would get out the torch.

[thebigtwosix]

Yea I think this can be more helpful for folks like me who don't have slide hammers and L hooks lying around the house.

[mrbyber]

Originally Posted by thebigtwosix

Yea I think this can be more helpful for folks like me who don't have slide hammers and L hooks lying around the house.

Great description! Well done. It sounds like it was pretty simple?
So what about putting them back in? Do you think they would go easy? Just gotta line them up with the screw hole right? I am asking because I am going to cut mine and put them back in. No one really explains the reinstall part of it.

[2 Evil]

Originally Posted by mrbyber

Great description! Well done. It sounds like it was pretty simple?
So what about putting them back in? Do you think they would go easy? Just gotta line them up with the screw hole right? I am asking because I am going to cut mine and put them back in. No one really explains the reinstall part of it.

When I removed mine and cut them leaving 4" of baffle. I used a belt sander with I think 80 grit paper. I sanded down the first ring where I cut and kept dry fitting it. Once I got them to slide in easy I re-installed them. I think Dave had that in a write up on here. No if I was drastically loud I pull them off easy. Only Dave drilled and tapped a 3/8" hole in the center and used a threaded rod for re-installation. He is the one who gave me the idea. Kuddos to you Dave!

[mrbyber]

Originally Posted by 2 Evil

When I removed mine and cut them leaving 4" of baffle. I used a belt sander with I think 80 grit paper. I sanded down the first ring where I cut and kept dry fitting it. Once I got them to slide in easy I re-installed them. I think Dave had that in a write up on here. No if I was drastically loud I pull them off easy. Only Dave drilled and tapped a 3/8" hole in the center and used a threaded rod for re-installation. He is the one who gave me the idea. Kuddos to you Dave!

I remember seeing Daves write up.
I am gonna search for it.
Thanks.

[BigJohn141]

Putting them back in is not hard at all. It does make it a lot easier if you sand or grind down the outside of the baffles and then just look in the exhaust and eyeball the alignment on the screw holes. Tap the baffle in with a short broom handle or such until you feel you are getting close. Now for the trick I figured out... Do you know that bent scew driver that comes in all the sets that you almost never use? Yes I mean this one



Insert one end in the hole in the pipe and tap the baffle in untill it goes into the screw hole in the baffle. The screwdrive is almost the perfect size to get it to line up exactly but you might have to play with it a little. A little WD40 on the baffle can make things easier too.

[syekcim]

Welcome to the club, every Harley rider turns their head as I cruise by now.