I have a 95 softail custom that has a set of vance and hines short shots on it (see my profile for pics). I love the looks of the pipes and I think they will really compliment the taildragger fender I intend to install. The problem is that the short shots sound puny to me. I just got an email fom V&H and they said they do not have any louder baffles for those pipes so I sent an email to big city thunder to see what they had. They told me that they would recommend part number 2003 for this application but the problem is that they are not a bolt in replacement. The V&H baffles would have to be cut off in order to have the end caps still on the exhaust and the dont look right without the end caps IMO. Big City Thunder said I would have to cut the baffles off the end pipes and drill two holes in my pipes to fasten their baffles in. Has anyone else done this or do you have any other ways to fix the punyness?

 

I have the BCT baffles in my short shots. And now they are louder and have a nice rumble to them. I do recommend them. Your right, the stock baffles don't sound very good. The BCT baffles do need to go down the exhaust a bit farther so two small holes need to be drilled. Cut the old baffle off your end cap, you won't need the baffles anymore. I don't have the end caps or heat shield on mine because they are wrapped with black exhaust wrap. As far as your punyness, i can't help you. lol

 

How far from the end of the pipes did you drill the holes for the BCT baffles? Do you have any reversion issues and do the BCT baffles provide ample back pressure? Got any pics of your bike from the side?

 

I think i drilled 4 inches down from the end of the exhaust. The instructions will tell you. No reversion issues. As far as backpressure, the bike performs just like it did with the original baffles. I wanted a better sounding exhaust but didn't want to pay for one. And i like the looks of the short shots. IMO it was well worth the 80 bucks. I'm happy with them now.

 

Do the instructions also tell you where to cut off the old baffles?

 

No. Pull the end cap/baffle out. Cut it off about 1/4" past the screw hole, baffle side.

 

Great timing....I have the short shots as well and was thinking about getting the BCT baffles. My question is how the hell do you get the end caps off the short shots? I tried for an hour and gave up.

 

I can't help you with the "punyness" but I did put "Thunder Monsters" in my V+H BSS as the stock baffles sounded awful to me. I was happy with the cleaner sound of the TM's, but the family hated them, they are as loud as straight throughs. Eventually took the BSS off the NT and put the 95-99 SE Fatboy pipes on. The bike was so much more streetable with a decent set of mufflers, way more TQ in the usable/street riding range.

 

I really like the sound of them and don't think they are too loud. just right IMO. Spray some WD40 in your baffles and let it set for a while. I had to use some needle nose pliers to grab the inside of the baffle. Twist and pull on it and they'll come out.

 

What "end caps" are you guys talking about? My short shots are just a straight pipe with a baffle inside. No end caps.