http://tinyurl.com/3ok8ds
Having given up on my exhaust cutout idea and still wanting to try for some more authoritative exhaust note, I thought I'd give it a try.
Muffler comes off very easily: 15mm wrench to remove the clamp at the cat converter end and a T45 bit to remove the hanger screw at the passenger foot peg end. Then a lot of gentle wiggling-whilst-tugging and voila: 10 lbs of metal ended up cradled in my arms. Tip: Don't tug so hard you pull the bike off the center stand
I had previously removed the muffler several times to remove the rear wheel. I know you're supposed to be able to remove the wheel with the muffler in place, but I tried to no avail. Maybe because I have the chrome muffler option? Tip: apply some high-temp anti-seize goop to the cat stub and the muffler comes off easier next time.
A trip to my local muffler custom shop and we ended up putting a 2 1/4" section of pipe on. Its end had to be expanded to fit. Then we slitted it so the stock clamp could hold it in place. A little deburring stopped me from further lacerating my fingers. A chrome slant-end extender slipped over it perfectly.
Pic: http://tinyurl.com/3scfx6
I used a 3/8 x 3/4" hex head cap screw with a chrome acorn nut and lock washer to both hold the chrome sleeve in place and serve as a stop for the rubber foot on the center stand.
Pic: http://tinyurl.com/3fb2hg
To my ear the engine now produces a very nice rumble at idle, not too loud under gentle acceleration, and only slightly obnoxious under heave acceleration. The best part, for my purposes, is that it's fairly loud when blipping the throttle with the clutch in, so I can get a little respect when lane-splitting in stalled traffic on the freeways. It's certainly lost the sewing machine character!
No, I don't think loud pipes save lives and I definitely don't have HD envy. But it's nice to have a machine that actually sounds like a motorcycle. For now, it's great pretending to be a hooligan. Heck a pretty young woman even turned to look at the bike as I came down the street; then she saw my face. Oh well...
I may well tire of the sound and re-install the stock can, especially for long trips.It's nice that it's a 5-minute job.
If anyone's curious what this sounds like, just remove your muffler, and start 'er up. I don't recommend running very long without a tip, because it will probably throw carbon on your rear tire and maybe even cook it a bit.
Several posters in the 1150 forum say it won't hurt the engine and some have cited dealer mechanics that have agreed. I do notice a bit of backfiring upon deceleration in about the 3000-4000 range. If anyone knows of risks this modification might incur, I'd sure like to know soon!
Market survey: Do you folks think some R1200R owners would be interested in purchasing a ready-made polished stainless steel version, with the acorn nut stop, for about $50? I proposed the idea to the very helpful owner of a local muffler shop and he seemed open to providing this service. If any forum members are interested, send me a message and I'll report back if and when he starts production.
) I don't think I'd want anything louder than what I have since it would make me use too much fuel.. just listening to the sound.
), the license bracket reflector ears, the charcoal canister and all associated plumbing, the fork reflectors, and of course the MM ear mirrors, proving yet again that less is more:
