I suppose this would happen sooner or later....

[Damn Yankee]

On my way to work early this morning, (4am) police informed me they have received complaints about Maggie ('95 3rd gen) being too loud for some neighbor's tastes, given they are trying to sleep. Having not heard any such complaints in the past three years of commuting through the neighborhood with Maggie, I was surprised it took as long as it did.

Maggie was purchased used already equipped with the Cobra slip-ons. I wasn't wild from the start about the loud exhaust, but with the other equipment/accessories, her overall condition and the price, it was something I could live with. But now it's time to deal with it.

I do try to be considerate and creep down the street given the time of day, but now that I have the cops' attention, that probably won't be enough.

As much as it would offer a solution, changing my work schedule is also not an option.

What are my options--mechanically speaking--for Maggie to pipe it down?

Thanks as always for your input.

[Magnum Magna]

I have no suggestions other then changing pips.

I try to keep my bike quiet as possible at night.  I had a neighbor tell me I sometimes wake him up but he goes right back to sleep.   I have slightly modified stock pipes.  They are just a little louder then stock.

Some states are more picky then others.  I think Texas is a little more relaxed then other states.

[Chad in Michigan]

what else can you do besides replace the pipes or push it down your street for a block or two? you could wait till they give you a fix-it ticket and then appeal it, showing that the decibel level is within spec for your city/state. then tell your neighboors to bug off.

[Capt. Howard]

what else can you do besides replace the pipes or push it down your street for a block or two? you could wait till they give you a fix-it ticket and then appeal it, showing that the decibel level is within spec for your city/state. then tell your neighboors to bug off.

DITTO....+1   reguardless who signs the complaint "police officer or neighbor" they will have to prove
decibel level" and that would be with a meter...Get a jump on them and go get a decible reading of your bike and
and the city noise ordinance for level...If you fight the system (for your constitutional rights) they will harass you in other ways...Welcome to the System..

[Damn Yankee]

Well, that's the thing...I'm not really interested in a p---ing match with city hall, having the locals bird-dog me outside my house at 4 in the morning for an easy ticket and be 15 minutes late for work. Swapping pipes may ultimately be the cheapest route.
I'd rather help the economy than feed an insatiable court system. Besides, I wouldn't mind if Maggie was a quieter woman.
(I'm kind of silly that way, I know.)

Given that, is Maggie a natural big mouth? Or can she be tamed? What has been your experience with pipes: Are the original equipment mufflers the best I can do for a quieter ride or can I do better? Or can I modify what I have? And will I need to re-tune the engine/carbs? (I have a feeling the answer to the last question is "yes.")

[Capt. Howard]

Well, that's the thing...I'm not really interested in a p---ing match with city hall, having the locals bird-dog me outside my house at 4 in the morning for an easy ticket and be 15 minutes late for work. Swapping pipes may ultimately be the cheapest route.
I'd rather help the economy than feed an insatiable court system. Besides, I wouldn't mind if Maggie was a quieter woman.
(I'm kind of silly that way, I know.)

Given that, is Maggie a natural big mouth? Or can she be tamed? What has been your experience with pipes: Are the original equipment mufflers the best I can do for a quieter ride or can I do better? Or can I modify what I have? And will I need to re-tune the engine/carbs? (I have a feeling the answer to the last question is "yes.")

I'm not familuar with the slash cobras...do you have the baffles in it? do they have baffles? I don't know. I do know if it has baffles you can close some of the holes in them..same amount on each one...I had some pipes that didn't have baffles and made some...I just took drag cobra pipes off mine that was on it when I got it...Glad to say I bought a stock set off this group of guys and love the quiet...However there are lots of noises I can't explain...My opinion if your aksing...If you like making things..make you some baffles or find a set of stock mufflers..

[Damn Yankee]

From what I gathered from my online research, Cap'n, the Cobra's baffles are permanent.

From another forum for V4 Hondas, replacing baffles can be done on stocks if you know your way around a welder, which unfortunately I don't...

My best bet right now is to scour eBay for a used set of stocks. I have BOLOs at a couple of boneyards already. I'll put in a shout out in the marketplace forum, just to make it official.  Until then, I'll take the Reflex to work. Not quite as fun as Maggie.

[dgc67]

That is too bad, but sounds like your a good neighbor for even caring.  No one has ever complained about my bike.  when I had the Mustang Cobra the one across the street complained to me once.  I assurred her I was creeping out as quiet as I could and she never mentioned it again.

Just for now, until you find replacements, maybe you could mock up a simple slip on/off "baffle" using like a 2 liter bottle or milk jug and just pull them off when you get to the edge of your hood.  They work on guns, bound to work on an exhaust as well.  I dunno, just trying to think outside the box.  Hate for you to not get to ride at all for awhile.

[magnagregcan]

Get a bag of steel wool and stick it up your pipes! I have drilled out my baffles (inside round part only) and the bike is not loud.
Or you could ask neighbour to take out or turn off hearing aid when he (she?) goes to bed. Fighting it is an option, but I'm 59 and don't have time for that crap. Better to appease them than fight them! Suggest they get a Hardley (do they do bikes?) or invite them over for a BBQ and drinks (now there's a thought!).
Anyway my advice is free; your solution may not be.
Greg

[Damn Yankee]

I have no knowledge of the complaintant...otherwise, I would have followed that option.  I don't think they knew it was me anyways, all they knew was this damn motorcycle woke them up one early morning and they want the police for which they pay taxes for their salaries to do something about it...

You know what though? I b----- about the 25-yr-old who still lived with his parents next door and still had his buddies over to party while I'm trying to sleep...don't mess with kharma, I suppose.

Who knows, maybe I was running late for work and was going faster/louder than I otherwise would have at the time. Bottom line, I'll have to take care of this one way or another. Preferably the cheaper and quicker way.

[Capt. Howard]

From what I gathered from my online research, Cap'n, the Cobra's baffles are permanent.

From another forum for V4 Hondas, replacing baffles can be done on stocks if you know your way around a welder, which unfortunately I don't...

My best bet right now is to scour eBay for a used set of stocks. I have BOLOs at a couple of boneyards already. I'll put in a shout out in the marketplace forum, just to make it official.  Until then, I'll take the Reflex to work. Not quite as fun as Maggie.

Yes that would be the best...I do have welder and accessories...I will put the word out on this end for a set of stock mufflers...

[drkngas]

MY Cobras are pretty loud.  When I roll out of here at sunrise I push it out of the garage to start it and then I idle out of the neighborhood in 2nd or 3rd gear below 2500 RPM.  That's the best I can do, I'm not changing my bike.

[Slydynbye]

I have just the thing.
http://kalecoauto.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=2   

[kwale86]

I would think the baffles could be modified to be more of a baffle.  I have the Cobra Slash cut drag pipes and there is a screw on the bottom inside of each pipe that I believe holds the baffles in.  I know mine are a little loud but I live in the country and have never had a complaint.  If I ever do, I might consider quieting it down but don't want to go back to the level of stock pipes.  Vance & Hines has the best sound IMOH.  Although the Supertrapp pipes on Greg's Project 96 sound nice too and they have adjustable diffuser plates to regulate the backpressure.

[Damn Yankee]

I just sent a message to CobraUSA.com asking whether the baffles are removable  and if they can indeed be switched out with their "quiet cores."

Another solution is to ask police if they have more information about whether the neighbors could hear me start up in the morning, or if they hear me as I am going by.  If it's the start-up, I'll try starting up in the garage with the door closed, though it was be a little gassy ...If it's the latter, I'll try creeping along s-l-o-w-e-r, to see if that makes a difference. If they still get complaints, I'll give the PD my number and ask that they call to let me know as much and I'll try something else.

I can't think that it's the neighbors around my perimeter...they would have told me already.

I'll keep you posted.