Unofficial Royal Enfield Community Forum

Royal Enfield Motorcycles => Bullet Iron Barrel => Topic started by: fredgold52 on March 11, 2008, 12:40:31 pm

Title: Free Flowing Pipe Is On The Way - It's On Now - First Impressions
Post by: fredgold52 on March 11, 2008, 12:40:31 pm
Finally, I went ahead and ordered the classic exhaust.  It's due here on the 11th, and so is warm weather!  I'm really looking forward to getting this mounted on the bike.  I already have it jetted a bit rich, so we'll have to see the plug color after a dozen miles or so.

You guys that already have this pipe on your bikes, what was your first reaction to what it did for your Bullet?

Title: Re: Free Flowing Pipe Is On The Way
Post by: t120rbullet on March 11, 2008, 12:52:39 pm
Couldn't hear any of the ticks,knocks and rattles anymore!
Naw, it sounds good and looks like it belongs on there.
CJ
Title: Re: Free Flowing Pipe Is On The Way
Post by: Blackthou on March 11, 2008, 01:01:00 pm
The engine seemed to breathe as opposed to suffocating, acceleration had a sporty feel but I did the Amal carb conversion at the same time. Noise is superb. Sounds like a Classic as well as looking like one.
Title: Re: Free Flowing Pipe Is On The Way
Post by: Leonard on March 11, 2008, 01:13:55 pm
  Don't be too surprised if it doesn't fit too well.  You may have to bend the front mounting bracket, or as in my case, cut it and reweld.  Also watch for leakage at the muffler/header connection.  You will be pleased with the result in any case.
Title: Re: Free Flowing Pipe Is On The Way
Post by: bob bezin on March 11, 2008, 04:25:48 pm
Fred I got the finned exhaust clamp too, helps cool the bike and looks great. the chrome started peeling so i sent it back and they cmw sent me a new one. i am also going to try the kreem blue shield pipe protectant as long as i have a new pipe. it is supposed to also keep the pipe cooler and prevent blueing
bob
Title: Re: Free Flowing Pipe Is On The Way
Post by: JordanMix on March 11, 2008, 05:32:16 pm
looks great, i havent noticed a performance difference but i have been having problems that may be hindering that. The previous post about somewhat of a poor fit is correct. I had to bent the mounting bracket to get the muffler to reach the down tube from the head, it fits well now and you can not tell that the mount was bent. I also removed the baffle, i think it sounds great but my neighbors hate me for it.
Title: Re: Free Flowing Pipe Is On The Way
Post by: LotusSevenMan on March 12, 2008, 12:12:52 am
Three things immediately.

1) Bike looked much more old 50's style
2) Bike really sounded like a proper thumper
3) Bike actually seemed to leap forward in comparison to its original performance when out for its first ride. Really was more lively.
Even better once carb was jetted to suit too.

Great move to lose the MZ style long exhaust!!!!!!  ;D
Title: Re: Free Flowing Pipe Is On The Way
Post by: sewerman on March 13, 2008, 11:38:04 am
The bracket for the muffler did not fit.  I took some aluminum flat stock and made my own.  Drilled it with extra holes for that "racy" look and polished it by hand.  I still felt that the new muffler was restricted so I went with the small megaphone from JC Whitney.  It is loud but it opened her up.  I also have the K&N air filter(cone type) which I feel helped her breath better.  Rejetting will al;most be a must and watch for "pinging" in hot weather which usually can be rectified by timing advance.
Title: Re: Free Flowing Pipe Is On The Way - It's On Now - First Impressions
Post by: fredgold52 on March 13, 2008, 08:09:47 pm
I mounted the new exhaust this morning before golf.  Observations during mounting:
1.  Yes the front mount on the header pipe needed to be bent a bit.  The chrome flakes off almost immediately when you bend it.
2.  The short muffler wouldn't clamp down on the header pipe firm enough.  Stripped out the small metric bolt (knew it would do that) and replaced it with a larger US bolt that had to be screwed into the clamp holes.  Cranked down on that and now the muffler is solid on the pipe.

Observation while riding:
1.  The engine does seem to like this system much better.  It breathers easier and spins more freely.
2.  Acceleration seems better but that could be due to the sound.
3.  The sound is great.  Quiet at idle and low speed take off, but will get real snarly when the throttle is twisted.

Overall:  I think the system is a good buy.  It is better looking, sounding and running - and that's alot of better for $180.  For sure a top mod needed by most any Bullet.

I am keeping my stock system in case I want to go back to silent running some day.
Title: Re: Free Flowing Pipe Is On The Way - It's On Now - First Impressions
Post by: Sam on March 15, 2008, 12:35:49 am
I did the same some time ago, with the same observations. I slotted the pipe bracket in addition to bending it, but it still needs a whack with a dead blow hammer to get into the exhaust port. I'd think by now that they'd be made to fit, but evidently this is a rite of passage. Next time it's off I'll slot the rear pipe bracket as well, maybe I won't need the hammer after that.

My muffler bracket needed some serious bending to miss the swingarm. The muffler doesn't really grip the pipe either. Same solution, a real bolt.

And same results; the exhaust is now louder than the intake and has a proper thumper sound instead of a steam engine sort of chuffing, it seems to spin up more freely, and generally seems happier. Despite the hand-fitting required, it's a pretty nice piece of goods and well worth doing. The pancake K&N is a nice complement.
Title: Re: Free Flowing Pipe Is On The Way - It's On Now - First Impressions
Post by: Thumper on March 15, 2008, 12:56:11 am
I mounted the new exhaust this morning before golf.  Observations during mounting:
1.  Yes the front mount on the header pipe needed to be bent a bit.  The chrome flakes off almost immediately when you bend it.
2.  The short muffler wouldn't clamp down on the header pipe firm enough.  Stripped out the small metric bolt (knew it would do that) and replaced it with a larger US bolt that had to be screwed into the clamp holes.  Cranked down on that and now the muffler is solid on the pipe.

Observation while riding:
1.  The engine does seem to like this system much better.  It breathers easier and spins more freely.
2.  Acceleration seems better but that could be due to the sound.
3.  The sound is great.  Quiet at idle and low speed take off, but will get real snarly when the throttle is twisted.

Overall:  I think the system is a good buy.  It is better looking, sounding and running - and that's alot of better for $180.  For sure a top mod needed by most any Bullet.

I am keeping my stock system in case I want to go back to silent running some day.

fg52,

Great news. Congrats on the install!

We ought to have a thread with .wav or .mp3 recordings of our exhaust notes!

Matt
Title: Re: Free Flowing Pipe Is On The Way - It's On Now - First Impressions
Post by: cowboysculptor on March 15, 2008, 05:42:21 am
Sounds great! Can you tell me what jets you used, and do you think that's what you'll stick with? I'm plenty interested.
Title: Re: Free Flowing Pipe Is On The Way - It's On Now - First Impressions
Post by: LotusSevenMan on March 15, 2008, 08:05:16 am
Sewerman.

"Watch for 'pinging' in hot weather that can usually be rectified by timing ADVANCE"?

Retard perhaps as over advancing creates kick-back and stress to piston crown and big/small ends (wrist pin in US speak?)

The jets I got from a certain UK supplier (H's) after I fitted my freeflow exhaust system and a K & N filter were as follows:-

Main Jet       120
Needle Jet    P0   (Richer 500cc)
Pilot Jet         27.5

I was lucky with my FULL freeflow system as I got a brand new complete unused set-up from eBay (although not the best chrome in the world) for the equivalent of $60 which I considered very reasonable!!!
Title: Re: Free Flowing Pipe Is On The Way - It's On Now - First Impressions
Post by: fredgold52 on March 15, 2008, 04:55:29 pm
$60 for this set up is a steal, LSM.  Nice going! :)

Cowboy, my jetting is 120 main, 27.5 pilot and the needle all the way up in the slide.  I may need to get a bigget/richer needle/jet and a richer slide.  I'll have to see when the weather settles down a bit.  But, for now it runs very well like this.

I also have fitted the K&N filter inside the air box, so this thing breathes well on both ends.  Very nice sound combination - the sucking/droning from the air box and the more satisfying boom from the muffler.  This bike just gets more perfect for me every day.  I am so happy I got into Royal Enfield. :)
Title: Re: Free Flowing Pipe Is On The Way - It's On Now - First Impressions
Post by: Byway on March 15, 2008, 08:07:18 pm
I've got the same airbox / pipe setup and nearly the same jetting as you, Fred.  Except that I've currently got a #30 pilot jet installed.  It may be slightly too rich but the bike starts and idles better in this cooler weather.  I expect I'll have to switch to a #27.5 as soon as the weather warms up!
Title: Re: Free Flowing Pipe Is On The Way - It's On Now - First Impressions
Post by: sewerman on March 17, 2008, 11:18:57 am
LotusSeven, you are correct about retard and advance!  When I wrote my reply my secretary and TWO foremans were having a fine time BITCHIN" at me so I goofed.  When I screw up I ALWAYS do it with a large audience!!  I am usually not this brain dead!
Title: Re: Free Flowing Pipe Is On The Way - It's On Now - First Impressions
Post by: jonapplegate on March 17, 2008, 01:11:16 pm
Find someone who can demonstrate the procedure and/or get your bike tuned. This may help greatly. Get a manual, tune it yourself. Get a manual anyway. I believe that many of us with the ES often use the kickstart anyway.   
Title: Re: Free Flowing Pipe Is On The Way - It's On Now - First Impressions
Post by: LotusSevenMan on March 17, 2008, 05:49:54 pm
Sewerman.
Shows I read your reply though eh?

Bitchin' in the office? Wow, it's cabaret time!!!!      ::)
Title: Re: Free Flowing Pipe Is On The Way - It's On Now - First Impressions
Post by: DaveG297 on March 21, 2008, 07:56:46 pm
Will somebody tell me what a pilot jet actually does.....I know what a jet pilot does...I installed the Shorty muffler (I use the term muffler loosely)  and was jetted at 110 and now am running with a 112.5 and have the needle in mid position and is working fine,,,,,,,,almost feels rich sometimes...........Pilot jet,,,,,,,,whats it do............dg
Title: Re: Free Flowing Pipe Is On The Way - It's On Now - First Impressions
Post by: t120rbullet on March 21, 2008, 08:32:05 pm
Will somebody tell me what a pilot jet actually does.....I know what a jet pilot does...I installed the Shorty muffler (I use the term muffler loosely)  and was jetted at 110 and now am running with a 112.5 and have the needle in mid position and is working fine,,,,,,,,almost feels rich sometimes...........Pilot jet,,,,,,,,whats it do............dg

It basically controls the low speed operation of the carb.

http://www.mikuni.com/pdf/vmmanual.pdf (http://www.mikuni.com/pdf/vmmanual.pdf)

CJ