Big City Thunder Baffles

Gr8_Lakes

Gr8_Lakes

Member
Took the Dog to a show this weekend, and started loosing the lower exhaust baffle on my way home. (Vance & Hines Big Radius 2-2) Rattling like a b!tch. Figure I lost or broke the bolt, but haven’t taken heat shields off yet.

I’m thinking it’s a great opportunity to make the Dog sound a bit better/louder with some Big City Thunder baffles. But, BTC doesn’t have any in stock, and hasn’t responded to my email or instant messaging attempts. So, anyone know if they still build the baffles? Website and social media for BCT almost seems like it’s rarely looked in on.
 
SCC007

SCC007

Active Member
Yes, they suck at response but just replaced my baffles in my Mastiff (V&H big radius) with a set of the BCTs. Previous owner, or a shop along the way only put a baffle on one pipe and it was a real pain in the ass trying to balance air/fuel and then between the two cylinders operating differently...long story is got a set and installed from earlier this spring.
 
Gr8_Lakes

Gr8_Lakes

Member
Thanks for the response. Hopefully they’ll eventually respond, or restock. I cant find any other alternatives than direct replacements, or quieter baffles. While it doesn’t sound bad with stock baffles, it could sound better under power. When my son said he thinks my Street Glide is louder, I decided there’s room for improvement.
 
SCC007

SCC007

Active Member
I went with the “quiet thunder” baffles, I think it has a good sound, a little lower and more rumble. I have also used the ones that look like a lollipop, which if you can’t get them from BCT timely you can weld up real easy…or someone else might have them.
 
Jwooky

Jwooky

Well-Known Member
Not sure there is a lot of value in changing them. What are you trying to accomplish? Louder, quieter?

Im not running them anymore but my baffles were cut in half to make louder
 
Gr8_Lakes

Gr8_Lakes

Member
Jwooky said:
Not sure there is a lot of value in changing them. What are you trying to accomplish? Louder, quieter?

Im not running them anymore but my baffles were cut in half to make louder
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Looking for a bit more noise under power. I’m surprised how much the noise is suppressed when under heavy throttle. Idle sounds great, but that wow factor is missing when I’m going under bridges or riding next to concrete walls. I guess I like being a little obnoxious at times. I don’t want the headaches of lost performance or re-jetting associated with outright removal, and I couldn’t find much about cutting them down.

After cutting, did you have to wrap them with anything to prevent rattling? Or are they a snug enough fit without any kind of wrap and the one retaining bolt? Sound better after cutting? Slide hammer for removal, so I’m guessing small sledge to pound ‘em back in? Obviously I haven’t pulled the loose one out yet… been a busy week with my boy in high school. But I’m gonna dig into it tomorrow.
 
Gr8_Lakes

Gr8_Lakes

Member
SCC007 said:
I went with the “quiet thunder” baffles, I think it has a good sound, a little lower and more rumble. I have also used the ones that look like a lollipop, which if you can’t get them from BCT timely you can weld up real easy…or someone else might have them.
Click to expand...
Having looked at the ”quiet thunder baffles”, I assumed they would be a quieter option than the original Vance & Hines baffles. Would you say you quieted your exhaust, changed the sound, or actually made it louder (and better) sounding? I’d like a bit louder. The version you’re speaking about are in stock, but BCT did get back with me and said they’re going to work on restocking all the baffles, and will get back with me soon to let me know when the website is updated. (I actually reached out to PROFABrication exhaust, the “parent company” of BCT. Then they got right back with me).
 
SCC007

SCC007

Active Member
I havent had a side by side comparison of a stock baffle vs the BCT. My bike only had one baffle in and it was also a lollipop type (not sure the brand) I have similar from a past bike (iron horse with 117 and big radius) that I removed and was straight pipe...so what I can tell you, the sound level is only slightly less with the "quiet thunder" but still has the wow factor (reverb off of the road, barriers or cars that you are next to), the sound is a lot cleaner...like I said a bit of a lower town and a lot less poppy (tin can) sounding if that makes sense. It will clean up some of the decel pop but biggest gain has been it is a whole lot quicker response with the throttle and no stumble.

What I can tell you is these bikes need some backpressure otherwise it's a nightmare trying to tune them to run well. I have had a few other exhausts that dump straight out but similarly they are louder but lack any performance...years ago (my first chopper) I thought I would be cool and get a shorty exhaust and my buddy had a dyno so I figured losing restriction meant power gain...opposite happened - dropped a bunch of ponies off somewhere, then riding back home (more then 1.5 hours) listening to the racket, got home swapped back to the previous pipes and was much happier.
All just my $.02, do what makes you happy!
 
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Gr8_Lakes

Gr8_Lakes

Member
SCC007 said:
I havent had a side by side comparison of a stock baffle vs the BCT. My bike only had one baffle in and it was also a lollipop type (not sure the brand) I have similar from a past bike (iron horse with 117 and big radius) that I removed and was straight pipe...so what I can tell you, the sound level is only slightly less with the "quiet thunder" but still has the wow factor (reverb off of the road, barriers or cars that you are next to), the sound is a lot cleaner...like I said a bit of a lower town and a lot less poppy (tin can) sounding if that makes sense. It will clean up some of the decel pop but biggest gain has been it is a whole lot quicker response with the throttle and no stumble.

What I can tell you is these bikes need some backpressure otherwise it's a nightmare trying to tune them to run well. I have had a few other exhausts that dump straight out but similarly they are louder but lack any performance...years ago (my first chopper) I thought I would be cool and get a shorty exhaust and my buddy had a dyno so I figured losing restriction meant power gain...opposite happened - dropped a bunch of ponies off somewhere, then riding back home (more then 1.5 hours) listening to the racket, got home swapped back to the previous pipes and was much happier.
All just my $.02, do what makes you happy!
Click to expand...
Thanks, that’s an excellent description. I’ll definitely report back about what I end up with.

Appreciate the feedback on the PN 2002 as well, as that’s what I was kinda hoping to use.
 
Jwooky

Jwooky

Well-Known Member
Gr8_Lakes said:
Looking for a bit more noise under power. I’m surprised how much the noise is suppressed when under heavy throttle. Idle sounds great, but that wow factor is missing when I’m going under bridges or riding next to concrete walls. I guess I like being a little obnoxious at times. I don’t want the headaches of lost performance or re-jetting associated with outright removal, and I couldn’t find much about cutting them down.

After cutting, did you have to wrap them with anything to prevent rattling? Or are they a snug enough fit without any kind of wrap and the one retaining bolt? Sound better after cutting? Slide hammer for removal, so I’m guessing small sledge to pound ‘em back in? Obviously I haven’t pulled the loose one out yet… been a busy week with my boy in high school. But I’m gonna dig into it tomorrow.
Click to expand...
Do not have to wrap, the one bolt is fine. They are a lot louder.
 
Gr8_Lakes

Gr8_Lakes

Member
So, as much as I love my 16 year old son, I don't love the germs he pulls into our house from doing whatever 16 year old boys do! I spent the weekend sick! (Good kid, good looking kid... Worth it).

Now, the baffles. With 2156 miles on the odometer (true miles!), I have to believe this baffle was never properly secured. Bolt was still in the pipe, and still gouging it's way up/down the baffle.

Secured it with another 1/4-20 stainless button head screw with a stainless washer & nut on the inside. Yup, I had it in the bin... Kinda. Had to cut the screw down. Burn was that I had 1/4-28 in the right length with no nuts!

On another note, Big City Thunder restocked part #2002, largely per my request. Purchased and on the way! God Bless American Small Businesses.

I'll update again with my opinion of the LOUDER Big Dog.

(I'm starting to get in to this chopper thing).
 

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Mickmorris

Mickmorris

Well Known Member
Supporting Member
Gr8_Lakes said:
So, as much as I love my 16 year old son, I don't love the germs he pulls into our house from doing whatever 16 year old boys do! I spent the weekend sick! (Good kid, good looking kid... Worth it).

Now, the baffles. With 2156 miles on the odometer (true miles!), I have to believe this baffle was never properly secured. Bolt was still in the pipe, and still gouging it's way up/down the baffle.

Secured it with another 1/4-20 stainless button head screw with a stainless washer & nut on the inside. Yup, I had it in the bin... Kinda. Had to cut the screw down. Burn was that I had 1/4-28 in the right length with no nuts!

On another note, Big City Thunder restocked part #2002, largely per my request. Purchased and on the way! God Bless American Small Businesses.

I'll update again with my opinion of the LOUDER Big Dog.

(I'm starting to get in to this chopper thing).
Click to expand...
Glad you’re doing good! Glad you got your parts coming! And Glad you are getting into the chopper thing. Keep us posted!
:cheers: :chopper:
 
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