| Author | Message | ||
     Xbimmer |
Tried the trick a few days ago, mixed reactions. I did like the throatier sound and the easy off-idle response, and the smooth and quick acceleration, to a point. I didn't like that when two-up the bike felt wimpy, and I had to wring it out to get some speed out of it. I liked my Drummer better overall. So today I went back in to de-wire it back to stock. Easy enough, except when I did the Actuator test it failed sort of. It responded weakly and wouldn't draw the cable out to my marked max point. Great, I'm thinking, what now. I reattempted the test while looking down at the lower pulley at the muffler. It was squeaking when activated so I shot some CLP at the pivot and voila! After three or four activations the squeak went away and the Actuator was performing as designed. I wouldn't think that only three or four days of wired-open running would crud the valve up enough to hinder proper operation, so maybe it was just coincidence. But you may want to check it anyway if you've wired your muffler open and decide to go back to stock. Maybe a regular shot of lube to the valve pivot would prolong the Actuator's life, if nothing else. | ||
| Andrejs2112 |
Did you happen to let the actuator snap closed a few times when pulling it open or closed? I did that to mine and f'd it up. Had to buy a replacement. I had mine stuck open my mistake and didn't like the sound or performance. I lost a lot of midrange. That's where I get my kicks, so I put it back to stock. | ||
| Xbimmer |
Did you happen to let the actuator snap closed a few times when pulling it open or closed? Nope. It was actually the valve in the muffler that was sticking and straining the actuator. I seem to remember that the pivot is a rather loose fit so a shot or two of CLP can get in there quickly and lube things loose. Point is I don't know how it could have gotten sticky after only a couple of days of wired-open running. Maybe it was like that before though. At least it works smooth as snot now.  I just checked my OSM and there's no mention of servicing the exhaust valve, other than the every 5k checking and lubing of the cable. Sounds like something to do regularly to save the actuator some grief. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Think about how often it cycles when its hooked up, keeping itself freed up. Couple days with no motion at all sounds like plenty to me to get it ganked up... I suspect if you have it hooked up and being used regularly, it won't be an issue. | ||
| Bingman |
Off the subject question...but somewhat related. Does the drummer exhaust void the warranty? Also, does the drummer exhaust still utilize the exhaust actuator valve? Thanks Just bought an 08 xt....600 miles already...Love it! | ||
| Dick_stilton |
Let me start by saying I am not mechanicaly minded but love to get involved and I am curious about this. Let me get it right. Some folks put on a performance can only to lose midrange performance? So whats the point? Noise alone? $1000 (Thats what they cost here)worth of aftermarket can = more noise and lack of midrange grunt vs Simple wire open job $0 = more noise but lack of mid range grunt. Am I missing something here?  | ||
| Ratbuell |
My drummer is valve-less. I have noticed an overall increase in power. Butt-o-mometer hasn't noted a "drop" in midrange, but I have yet to get it on the dyno. I suspect midrange is unchanged, but top end has improved a bit. $1,000? Wow. I'm cheap, waited till I saw one pop up on ebay and snagged it for much less  | ||
| Xbimmer |
Dick_stilton, I agree with Ratbuell and many others I'm sure, the Drummer smooths out and increases the powerband throughout the RPM range. I love that can, it didn't leave any "holes" in the powerband that I recall like the wired-open mod does (IMMHO...). The only problem I have with it is the sound volume. My new neighborhood is tentative when it comes to motorcycles. I've got it for sale but I'm about to pull it from the ad, I think I want to keep it. Took the Uly out today for a couple quick jaunts with the valve and actuator back to stock. I don't know whether my butt-o-meter was responding to the recent feel of the can wired open or the newly freed up valve, but the bike ran like the wind. I rode around with the intake cover off just to watch the actuator cycle, it was pretty active and so was the engine. I'm only guessing here again, but I'm thinking now that my valve may have been sticking before the wire-open deal. The bike felt better today in overall performance than either just before I wired it and also after I wired it. I'll just make it a procedure to lube the valve every oil change at 5k from now on. Would be nice if someone could get a dyno chart built of Stock vs Wired Open. | ||
| Teeps |
Bingman Posted on Saturday, July 12, 2008 Does the drummer exhaust void the warranty? Any exhaust mod, could void engine (top end) coverage; I.E. burned valves, burnt, melted or otherwise scored pistons... at the dealer's discretion, of course. | ||
| Longdog_cymru |
Seems kind of strange that anyone would sacrifice mid-range for noise. I love the sound, but I love my mid-range more! Each to his own though. On the subject of lubing the valve, I would have thought that any lube would be burnt off pretty quickly and carburised oil would cause more stiction, apart from the oil that isn't burnt off, well that would just collect road dirt, etc. and cause stiction too. (IMHO) | ||
| Dick_stilton |
Would be nice if someone could get a dyno chart built of Stock vs Wired Open. Good Call! That would put this one to bed once and for all. I am now three weeks into my (Wired Open)experiment and with the Pipercross filter and opened up 06 Airbox everything is running sweet. As far as I can tell I am getting no sacrifices in mid range and its a lot smoother in getting away and slow cruising which is why I did it not for a better sound. That is just a pleasant bonus. I am also getting 20km more gas mileage per tank and I ride hard. Buddies of mine did the same mod to their HDs and are also pleased with the results. | ||
| Johnboy777 |
""Buddies of mine did the same mod to their HDs and are also pleased with the results."" HD's have valves too? BTW, you shouldn't be hanging around HD guys, there're a bad influence. . | ||
| Dick_stilton |
HD's have valves too? - BTW, you shouldn't be hanging around HD guys, there're a bad influence. Apparently these did (They are Street Bobs I believe) and the cranky thing is the guys complained of exactly the same symptoms as we did... stumbling of the line and rotten low speed running. At first they spot welded the valve open and now they have stage 2 conversions which required screamin eagle pipes, something like that anyhow. These guys are what I call 'Pipe and Slipper' men. And I can assure you are no more likely to influence me than the pope. Rest assured. Besides Johnboy, is'nt it obligatory when buying a HD to have a leather fetish and to 'hang with yer bro's' in fancy dress bars? Not for me man, not for me.  | ||
| Johnboy777 |
Hey stilton, When you're an over zealous Harley guy, you get to dress up and go to a masquerade ball every time there's a bike night some place. Except, and this is the good part, everyone comes as the same thing – an ugly, leather-clad biker, with an attitude. It’s a ‘lifestyle’ thing!  . | ||
| Dick_stilton |
Except, and this is the good part, everyone comes as the same thing – an ugly, leather-clad biker, with an attitude. Oh man.... I laughed so hard at that I nearly broke a rib.... thanks for making my friday Johnboy.  | ||
| Jb2607 |
My dealer just had a big shindig today... as my sales rep was helping me, I had to comment that I ride alone, cannot stay in line, etc., I commented to him that they all looked like those Mo's that stand in line to order the latest flavored coffee or tea of the month. This from a guy who owns an 08 UlY, 08 Crossbones and an 07 Nitester. Just got back from a 7000 mile ride with plenty or dirt and rock. 4000 ft drop on dirt/rock/water crossings/riverbed to the Colorado river in the Grand Canyon. Going down was he**--- coming up was 22 miles of over driving the rear wheel, which made for a great time. Had to be careful not to overdrive the front wheel going down... mind set had to go back to the old dirt bike days of my youth... ACCELERATE thru the soft sand/gravel, etc. Then a 120+ mile roundtrip on wash board rutted rock/dirt road to Tuweep overlook on the N. Rim. Then on to Ophir pass... (the easy pass LOL)--- twenty miles of ROCK he**. Finally Cinnamon Pass--- other than a few tight rutted switchbacks just out of Animas Forks... finally something the ULY could handle without having to fight it every foot of the way. Is the ULY a dual sport (?)--- NO, gear down 1st and 2nd, increase the front wheel to at least 19", and lower the seat to help lower the center of gravity. Just too top heavy and just geared too high. Somehow I managed to get it home with the clutch still intact. I could post forever on this trip--- such as altitude, say over 5-6000 feet, the ULY got 50+ to 60+ MPG. Then heading home thru Kansas, etc., back to NC, the bike reverted back to 44 MPG or so. WHY? Tires were Avon Distanzias, oil all around was Mobil 1 15-50 synthetic, filters--- super tech, Kaoko throttle lock, short wind screen, all three hard bags. Time also spent in Vegas... EXTREME heat and no pinging. Great bike for touring... power, comfort (800 miles from Branson to NC on last day) as my rearend held up fine. The XT is probably a better choice for me... seat a bit lower which makes a big difference at low speeds. Oh, one more thing... 110 MPH going into Roswell, NM... smooth as a billiard table and she had teased me by letting me know that she had more speed to give me. |
