[avandr]

How many of you guys have removed the rubber fin dampeners from the head and barrel? To me it looks as if the only function is to restrict air flow? No audible difference noted. Any comments??

[GSS]

It is supposed to reduce high frequency ringing which most bikes don't have or we can no longer hear!  There is little detrimental effect on cooling if you leave them in.  Most of us seem to have removed these.

[Kevin Mahoney]

Most guys in the US remove them, most guys in India do not. No negative effect whatsoever unless you have dog hearing

[Arizoni]

As I pulled into the backyard right after I first picked up my new RE one of the rubber dampers fell off all by itself.

Living in Phoenix where the summer temperatures can easily reach 115 F I decided I would rather have all of those fins exposed to the air rather than being covered by a bunch of rubber dampers so I removed the rest of them.
That was almost 2 years ago and the bike is running fine.
It might be making a high pitched sound but with my high frequency hearing loss I can't  hear it.

[avandr]

Thanks guys, there could be a positive come out of this, the high frequency may deter those dogs that keep chasing me!

[mattsz]

or attract them... 

[gremlin]

How many of you guys have removed the rubber fin dampeners from the head and barrel? To me it looks as if the only function is to restrict air flow? No audible difference noted. Any comments??

f__kin  *TINK*  *TINK*  *TINK* noise ......

[Desi Bike]

I decided to leave the lower ones on (black section of the motor) and finished removing the ones on the upper section (India Chrome section) to split the difference so I can still fit in with the India crowd and the Americans.
 The removed ones reside in a shoe box of "items of doubtless utility" that I save for no apparent reason.
Ya never know when one needs hard rubber ziggy things.

[kammersangerin]

Since I have dog hearing, aka known as neurotic artists hearing according to my neighbors, I will leave them on.

[RE-Memphis]

I decided to leave the lower ones on (black section of the motor) and finished removing the ones on the upper section (India Chrome section) to split the difference so I can still fit in with the India crowd and the Americans.
 The removed ones reside in a shoe box of "items of doubtless utility" that I save for no apparent reason.
Ya never know when one needs hard rubber ziggy things.

I did the same.. at some point I'd like to strip all the battle ship grey paint also. (ugh)

[barenekd]

They make the bike look Japanese!
Bare

[Gypsyjon]

I decided to leave the lower ones on (black section of the motor) and finished removing the ones on the upper section (India Chrome section) to split the difference so I can still fit in with the India crowd and the Americans.
 The removed ones reside in a shoe box of "items of doubtless utility" that I save for no apparent reason.
Ya never know when one needs hard rubber ziggy things.

Did the same a few minutes ago. Some cooked on and came off in pieces.....sh:;()@t....I saved them too...is that anal retentive or what??

[avandr]

Took the bike for a run after removal, reved the craper out of it and did not note any difference.

[mattsz]

I'm leaving mine on for now. I think mine we're installed while the paint was still wet; they're stuck on there pretty well, and the paint is sort of squished around them...

[Desi Bike]

They must use the wet paint as an assembly lube. Lol.. Mine were a bit stuck in some places like that too.

[benknrobbers]

Bless you all for this post. I've tapped most of mine into tighter place because I wasn't sure what they were, and all I knew was that they were coming loose. I was kind of curious as to what they were, but I hadn't had a chance to research and It didn't seem important enough to ask you guys yet.

[gremlin]

Bless you ..........

Who sneezed ?