How-To Mount Harley Mufflers - GL1100

Post your "How To", or share tips and tricks about maintenance related to four cylinder Wings. Only registered users can read this forum.

Moderators: Whiskerfish, Forum Moderators

Post Reply
User avatar
sunnbobb
Facebook Admin
Facebook Admin
Posts: 21270
Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2008 4:09 pm
My Album: http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/sunnbobb/
Location: LaConner, WA

#16

Post by sunnbobb »

I looked long and hard at my sporty mufflers, and I cannot see any difference between the two?
I found the end of the internet

---- Bradshaw Bikes custom polishing for your wing. Visit us on facebook!

1978 Learning Experience
1980 County Road Hauler "Brain Damage"
1978 Cafe Custom Gl1000 "Vyper"
1977 Bulldog Inspired "Vaincre"
1981 Street Fighter GL1100 "No Quarter"
1983 Supercharged Street Drag "Anubis" (in worx)
1983 gl1100 mint restoration "Kristen"
1985 Aspencade..pondering.
User avatar
Roady
Member Relations &_Graphics
Member Relations &_Graphics
Posts: 11957
Joined: Wed Jun 20, 2007 2:35 pm
Location: Port St. John, FL

#17

Post by Roady »

Likewise. I've been running mine for a year and sound and pressure seem identical.

I wonder if this is a recent development.

Both yours and mine are older, '02 or '03 pipes. Later Sporty pipes have a crossover.
User avatar
Whiskerfish
President
President
Posts: 36827
Joined: Thu Feb 16, 2006 9:34 pm
My Album: http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/whiskerfish/
Location: Norfolk Va

#18

Post by Whiskerfish »

Got this here:
http://www.hdatlanta.com/en/harley-davidson_101.cfm

I really do not know when/if the king mufflers were changed to a "un-ballanced" system. They may have always been like this???

F-head, also known as JD, pocket valve and IOE (intake over exhaust), 1914-29 (1,000 cc), and 1922-29 (1,200 cc)
Flathead, 1930–1948 (1,200 cc) and 1935-41 (1,300 cc).
Knucklehead, 1936-47 61 cubic inches (1,000 cc), and 1941-47 74 cubic inches (1,200 cc)
Panhead, 1948-52 61 cubic inches (1,000 cc), and 1948-65, 74 cubic inches (1,200 cc)
Shovelhead, 1966-85, 74 cubic inches (1,200 cc) and 82 cubic inches (1,345 ccm) since late 1978
Evolution (aka "Evo" and "Blockhead"), 1984-99, 80 cubic inches (1,340 cc)
Twin Cam 88 (aka "Fathead") 1999–2006, 88 cubic inches (1,443 cc)
Twin Cam 88B (counter balanced version of the Twin Cam 88) 2000–2006, 88 cubic inches (1,443 cc)
Twin Cam 96, 2007–present, 96 cubic inches (1,584 cc)
Twin Cam 103, 1999–2006, 2009, 103 cubic inches (1690 cc) (engines for C.V.O. models)
Twin Cam 110, 2007–present, 110 cubic inches (1802 cc) (engines for C.V.O. models)
"Agreement is not a requirement for Respect" CDR Michael Smith USN (Ret) 2017
"The book is wrong, this whole Conclusion is Fallacious" River Tam
2008 GL1800 IIIA "TH3DOG"
1975/6/7/8/9 Arthur Fulmer Dressed Road bike
1975 Naked Noisy and Nasty in town bike
and a whole garage full of possibilities!!

Psst. oh and by the way CHANGE YOUR BELTS!!!!
User avatar
rocknturtle
Chrome Member
Chrome Member
Posts: 167
Joined: Sun Nov 16, 2008 4:11 am
Location: WEST JEFFERSON N.C.

#19

Post by rocknturtle »

I heard this year that hd had the engine designed for the back jug to stop firing at idle and just pull air like a compressor and then start firing as engine rpm increased. in order to keep the back jug cooler. Maybe that is why the mufflers would be different. don't know just a guess. I am glad I ride a metric now dragbike turtle
2001 v star 1100 84 goldwing interstate 1999 shadow ace "lifes too short not to have fun"
User avatar
Whiskerfish
President
President
Posts: 36827
Joined: Thu Feb 16, 2006 9:34 pm
My Album: http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/whiskerfish/
Location: Norfolk Va

#20

Post by Whiskerfish »

rocknturtle wrote:I heard this year that hd had the engine designed for the back jug to stop firing at idle and just pull air like a compressor and then start firing as engine rpm increased. in order to keep the back jug cooler. Maybe that is why the mufflers would be different. don't know just a guess. I am glad I ride a metric now dragbike turtle
I wannna say that happened in 07 when they went 100% EFI? We need Rodger or one of the other "Closet" HD guys to straighten us out here :lol: :lol: :lol:
"Agreement is not a requirement for Respect" CDR Michael Smith USN (Ret) 2017
"The book is wrong, this whole Conclusion is Fallacious" River Tam
2008 GL1800 IIIA "TH3DOG"
1975/6/7/8/9 Arthur Fulmer Dressed Road bike
1975 Naked Noisy and Nasty in town bike
and a whole garage full of possibilities!!

Psst. oh and by the way CHANGE YOUR BELTS!!!!
cycleman
Silver Member
Silver Member
Posts: 528
Joined: Thu Jun 19, 2008 7:49 am
Location: Regina, Saskatchewan Canada

#21

Post by cycleman »

From what I've found it is the design of the internals of the Harley mufflers that give them their unique sound. One article I read referred to it as a potato, potato, potato sound. If you say that fast it's an accurate way to describe the Harley sound.

The difference in sound between the left & right muffler on the Sporster is very sutle at idle but it is there. If you put your hand over a stock exhaust it flows smoothly. If you put your hand over the right Sporster muffler there is a very slight pulse feel/sound to it. This is not present on the left side. I do run mine with a crossover pipe so this may affect the result.

With the stainless extensions that I'd welded onto the Sporsters it actually looks very much like the stock muffler and works fairly well. If & when I can find a stock exhaust for the right price & shape I'd probably put that back on. Getting too old for noisy stuff. Until then this works fine for me and gives the bike a different exhaust note.
Currently own: Restored 1977 Goldwing
Current project: Restoring 78 CB750F
Previous bikes: XJ650, GS550, XT500, 77 Goldwing, and a few others
User avatar
Victour
Cast Iron Member
Cast Iron Member
Posts: 87
Joined: Mon Feb 23, 2009 1:47 am
My Album: http://good-times.webshots.com/album/570131144RgmY

#22

Post by Victour »

Wow love the sound on the Video.... I purchased a complete set of Sportster Ehaust system .. from a local HD repairman shop for $20 older set but like the say the Chrome on all of it still looks new... So now I have shields clamps and whatever else I need.. New inspiration to get busy on my Engine.. Thanks for the Tips..
1978 Gl1000 LTD

http://good-times.webshots.com/album/570131144RgmYiK
Missourimike
Gold Member
Gold Member
Posts: 1476
Joined: Fri Feb 22, 2008 10:44 pm
Location: Springfield, MO

Harley Muffler/Sound

#23

Post by Missourimike »

Been reading the threads on the use of Harley mufflers and thought I'd let you know I have had a pair of Sportster's on my '75 for the past 4K miles. Not too loud, just right for my old ears. I detest LOUD PIPES.
NO cross-over needed with Sportsters. My adapters are only about 3 inches long from header to muffler, keeping the angle horizontal with the ground and same as the OEM Hondas. I carry saddlebags and didn't want to melt them. Also, I can remove the rear wheel without removing exhaust. As for the center stand hitting the right side muffler, I cut off the offending part of the stand...half of the "loop" that rests on the ground. For a "stop" to keep the whole center stand off the pipes, I bolted a flat peice of iron 6 inches long across the two clamping bolts on the pivot of the center stand.
Now as for the unique sound that Harley has, the potato...potato...potato as some call it, this comes not from the design of the mufflers but from it's firing order. If I remember right, the Harley motor fires at a 139 degree rotation rather than 180, as most twins do. That gives it the ka-thump, ka-thump, rather than thump-thump.
The difficult can be done in a day. The impossible takes a little longer, if you don't know it can't be done.
'75 GL YelloWing, '73 Norton Commando, '79 CB750, '80 Fiat Spyder, '83 Silverado w/ BB Cad, to name a few.
'79 Black Hondaline/Vetter bagger Tourer
'76 Yello Café to be
'83 CX650C Needs Work
'83 CX650C #2 Daily Rider
'79 Yamaha XS750
10 others in the project/parts pile
User avatar
Kman9
Tin Member
Tin Member
Posts: 18
Joined: Sun May 24, 2009 7:23 pm
Location: Central Ohio

Re: How-To Mount Harley Mufflers - GL1100

#24

Post by Kman9 »

Roady,
Sure appreciate your article as the mufflers look great and they are available relatively cheaply. I am going to put a set on a 76 1000 that would be too expensive to bring back to original condition. My only question is whether you or anyone else doing this, had to modify carb jets?
I see yours is an 1100 but I wouldn't think there would not be a big difference between the 1100 and 1000 when it comes to scavenging. I would sure appreciate the benefit of your opinion and will try to post a picture when I am done.
Thanks,
Kman9
Current bike : 1976 Naked Wing
Bikes of the past:
1982 Wing - Interstate w/ alternator conversion
1977 Wing - Vetter fairing & bags
196? BSA 650 Lightning
196? Bultaco
196? Yamaha 175 Enduro
User avatar
Roady
Member Relations &_Graphics
Member Relations &_Graphics
Posts: 11957
Joined: Wed Jun 20, 2007 2:35 pm
Location: Port St. John, FL

Re: How-To Mount Harley Mufflers - GL1100

#25

Post by Roady »

We do love the pictures around this place. Set yourself up an album and start sharing.

GLs are very tolerant of exhaust changes. Mine has a touch of backfire when I let off hard but other than that she runs like a scalded dog. No need to rejet at all. Now, if you start messing with the intake you will probably have to go there.

Good luck and thanks for the nice compliments.
mdsco
Tin Member
Tin Member
Posts: 14
Joined: Sun Mar 14, 2010 9:58 pm
Location: colorado

Re: How-To Mount Harley Mufflers - GL1100

#26

Post by mdsco »

was staring down a set of stock 1998 ultra classic mufflers. The baffle on the left muffler (as if you are sitting on the bike)is closer to the front of the muffler. On the right side it is more toward the rear. My guess for this is the left side exhaust header pipe is longer since it wraps around the right side of the motor and meets at the crossover. I think they made the baffles the same distance from each respective cylinder. Still gonna try mounting them on my bagger
1978 gl1000 bagger
User avatar
Roady
Member Relations &_Graphics
Member Relations &_Graphics
Posts: 11957
Joined: Wed Jun 20, 2007 2:35 pm
Location: Port St. John, FL

Re: How-To Mount Harley Mufflers - GL1100

#27

Post by Roady »

I wouldn't expect the position of the baffle to make much difference, as long as they are the same baffle. I'd be interested in seeing how it looks with those on it.
Bigphillip79
Billet Alum. Member
Billet Alum. Member
Posts: 230
Joined: Thu Oct 28, 2010 4:17 pm
Location: McAllen TX

Re: How-To Mount Harley Mufflers - GL1100

#28

Post by Bigphillip79 »

Well I scored my Sportster mufflers off ebay for $30 to the door. Before I go ahead with the install do I have to worry about jetting? I plan on putting them on a 76 1000. Any performance gain besides they just sound and look good?
76 gl1000
User avatar
drumgod
Titanium Member
Titanium Member
Posts: 352
Joined: Tue Oct 27, 2009 2:33 pm
Location: Chicagoish

Re: How-To Mount Harley Mufflers - GL1100

#29

Post by drumgod »

Bigphillip79 wrote:Well I scored my Sportster mufflers off ebay for $30 to the door. Before I go ahead with the install do I have to worry about jetting? I plan on putting them on a 76 1000. Any performance gain besides they just sound and look good?
See three posts up ^

:mrgreen:
'81 GL1100
'77 GL1000
'76 CB550K
User avatar
rcmatt007
Treasurer
Treasurer
Posts: 31301
Joined: Fri Oct 21, 2005 12:48 pm
My Album: http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/rcmatt007/
Location: New River Valley, Virginia

Re:

#30

Post by rcmatt007 »

Whiskerfish wrote:
rocknturtle wrote:I heard this year that hd had the engine designed for the back jug to stop firing at idle and just pull air like a compressor and then start firing as engine rpm increased. in order to keep the back jug cooler. Maybe that is why the mufflers would be different. don't know just a guess. I am glad I ride a metric now dragbike turtle
I wannna say that happened in 07 when they went 100% EFI? We need Rodger or one of the other "Closet" HD guys to straighten us out here :lol: :lol: :lol:
all of our HD's have been EFI (2000, 05 & 08)

hadn't been following this thread. What I can tell you is that on my 2000 road king the electronic ignition was set so that as the bike was idleing and getting hot, the bike would alternate which jug was firing alternating which one had a little chance to cool down. What I can tell you is that the bike definately idles rougher when this happens. It seems my 05 runs the same way. Once you give it some gas, it smooths right out.

as for one side being more open than the other.... I cannot tell you. They do cross over and connect behind the rear jug. The twin cam 96 has a different pipe lay out, but they still interconnect. the newer pipes have moved so that the passengers legs are not as close os they were on the 88
-Rodger-
all it takes for evil to prosper is the want of a few good men to do nothing-Edmund Burke
The question is not how much time do you have, it is what you do with the time that you have Gandalf
"One of the greatest dignities of humankind is that each successive generation is invested in the welfare of each new generation." Fred Rodgers
"it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert" ancient saying
78 constantly modified/customized since 1978, BOTM June 2015 de-evolving this very moment viewtopic.php?f=30&t=65511
76 Ltd "cookies bike" ALMOST DONE
79 project, finished, FOR SALE
'86 1200 (Beth's)(FOR SALE) with motorvation sidecar (sidecar sold) , July 2017 BOTM
'17 HD Road king and 08 HD Heritage softail (Beth's) (FOR SALE). I guess you can say we have MBS
Post Reply
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post

Return to “How To 4-Wings (Tutorials Only)”