I just got, after waiting about four months for V&H to manufacture them, a set of quieter baffles for my short shots. While installing them, I noticed the fiberglass material was taped at each end with what looked like scotch tape. I used my torch to see what it did when heated, and it lit. I removed it before installing the baffles, but I am wondering if this was necessary or not? Has anyone else had to deal with this? I would appreciate any information about these baffles, and the glass material on them. I just started it once since the installation, and I think my bike now has the Exact sound I was looking for, and the performance of this system is really awsome. Thanks All, C/C

 

If I'm not mistaken, and I very well could be, what I've heard a lot of people doing is taking off the tape and wrapping it with wire, THEN installing. Others have used aluminum plumbers tape. If this is not done, there is a possibility of the back pressure eventually blowing out the packing. The V & H tape doesn't do a whole lot; I think it's taped simply to assist with the install.

Teek

 

I believe the tape is there to hold the packing in place while you install the baffle. It then burns off in the first few miles after installation, which is a bit smelly and can cause some visible fumes to be emitted from the exhaust, after which everything is as it should be.

 

Curios, how much quieter are the quiet baffles? I like the standard baffle sound but would consider the quite baffles to keep from annoying the neighbors at 5:30am.... Is the sound still good, just much quieter?

 

The sound is very good, ask my neighbors The word quiet in this case is very relative... According to Vance & Hines they're about 3 decibel quieter... You won't really know the difference unless you use the proper tools to measure (or have dog ears). I think the baffles make the tone a bit throatier but sound level wise, no difference.

 

how much are they?

 

According to V&H website, $29.95 each, or about 60 bucks. No doubt they can be had a little cheaper elswhere though.

Teek

 

i called v&h about the tape. they said to leave it there. it helps with the installation. it burns off after a few minutes. the baffles are just a touch quieter, not much though

 

Anyone have any sound clips of before and after?

 

Take a look at this thread. It's Straightshots, rather than Shortshots, but difference should be about the same.

https://www.hdforums.com/m_2109638/tm.htm