Stock Harley Mufflers on a 2005 Nomad

[poppy]

Originally Posted by blackdogbrian

not familiar with this mod.... what's the advantage of putting on MD mufflers over the nomad stock ones?

Not quite sure what you are asking but this is in regards to already having upgraded from stock exhaust to either Vance & Hines or Cobra header systems. Lots of folks, me included, sometimes get tired of the noise, especially on long trips or when pulling our trailers. Even leaving the house early while commuting can piss the neighbors off.

Anyway, harley mufflers are 1.75" ID which allows them to slip over the V&H headers...quietening the ride. Check the link below. Scroll down towards the bottom. It's all there.....

http://www.gadgetjq.com/vhbagger_shhh.htm

[skiman]

Poppy what year pipes did you use ?
The ones I bought are off a 09.

[rez]

I found information about the differences in the left and right mufflers by googling it and ended up on several Harley forums...here is one 'explanation' from a forum. I have copied and pasted it....

"The stock mufflers regardless of the look are sometimes not balanced as far as backpressure internally, like in the case of the 07 bikes where the left side is used basically as a sound chamber more so than an outlet. The pipe in the left side is only a short perforated piece about 6" at the rear of the muffler unlike the right side where it is a flow through muffler. The purpose of this setup is to force the rear cylinder to exit mainly through the right muffler and give better scavenging to the exhaust."

I found similar information from other forum threads. It seems this is only on the later model bikes. It also looks like some mufflers may have a catalytic converter in them as well...sometimes in one muffler only...sometimes in both...especially California bikes. I haven't done detailed research but this is what I came up with so far...only because 'rewindgy' mentioned it in his post.

[skiman]

Yeah I was just looking at some stuff too they harley uses a 2 into 1 into 2 system not a true duel
since a 2 into 1 is better for low and mid range performance they use that set up and the left pipe is pretty much for show. Might have to venture into harleyville and talk to the shop people and see if any year has just two regular ole mufflers can't use two rights because of the dimple that will show if you use it on the left,

[skiman]

I did read not to use them on a true duel pipe setup or engine damage will be in your future.

[rewindgy]

Thought that was what I said? Any ho , it appears 1999 - 2004 was the years for one's in Canada - 2005's were either both the same or not??? Maybe they needed to get rid of the old stock? 2006 - and up to 2008 are not the same - and I don't know about 2009 - up? Maybe someone can find the answer from a Harley guy?

[poppy]

my HD mufflers came off of a 2000 Ultra....allegedly. Got them on e-bay. Both are identical internally. True mufflers. Whew! That would suck to discover one was a "placebo"....a faker!

[skiman]

looks like I'll end up looking for some older ones too since the 09's won;t work oh well they were only 10 bucks so it doesn't hurt too bad

[poppy]

Find another pair for $10 and use the two "real" mufflers....still a good deal.

[skiman]

I think the dimple showing use a rt hand muffler on the left might look funny

[GIBBY]

Update: I put about 250 miles on Saturday with the 2003 Road King stock mufflers. Way too much back pressure. On deceleration the bike shook like it was a Road King. Performance and mileage also suffered. Sunday put the Vance & Hines mufflers back on. I now have some 2003 Road King mufflers for sale on Craigslist.

[Top Cat]

I debaffled my stock pipes. So much less screwing around and I'm happy with the sound and the way it runs.
Hey, I'm Just saying...................................

[skiman]

Originally Posted by Gibby

Update: I put about 250 miles on Saturday with the 2003 Road King stock mufflers. Way too much back pressure. On deceleration the bike shook like it was a Road King. Performance and mileage also suffered. Sunday put the Vance & Hines mufflers back on. I now have some 2003 Road King mufflers for sale on Craigslist.

Did you reset your fuel controller the added back pressure will make the bike run way too rich

[GIBBY]

I thought about that right after I posted last. I was only going to use the Road King mufflers for multi-day trips. Maybe I will give them another chance with adjusted Cobra 2000.

[rez]

Installed my Harley mufflers too. They are 'identical' baffle wise but the right side has a cat inside the muffler. Will probably remove it. Too soon to tell what i really think of them. Quieter than I expected...but nice rumble at idle and low RPM's.....acceleration seems a little flat now at mid range. My bike has a Kuryakyn hypercharger and Cobra fuel processor. It sort of 'barks' thru the hypercharger now under certain accelerator conditions......mostly when accelerating harder and under load or in high gear/low RPM and light load. Not sure if this is just hypercharger design characteristic or having a 'more' closed exhaust now (had Cobra pipes on prior to this). I still have to try some fuel processer adjustments. May consider a Chuckster style air filter setup to see if 'barking' thru intake diminishes......haven't cared for the Kuryakyn since I bought the bike. Initially...seems fuel consumption has increased somwhat...can't back this up with numbers yet. The mufflers were a fairly easy install.....good fit to Cobra pipes...made up some stainless flat bar brackets as per Gagets suggestions....this worked out and fit well too. Appreciate any other thoughts suggestions.Thanks.