Do CHEAP Exhaust Baffles Work? - XS650 Chopper

[@johnmcclain3887]

I've run "drag pipes" on and off for more than forty years, and tried, used the baffles and I believe it is quieter, and definitely breaks the edge off the exhaust tone, I suspect it's much appreciated by those not riding. The baffles probably knock a bit of overall power off, but in my own experience, seem to broaden the power band and improve "transition" from low rpm to the higher. I definitely like the sound better with the baffles. Thanks!

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Agreed on all aspects there. I do feel its much more manageable at low rpm and those transitions. I like a good sound not as much sound as possible lol

[@richardahola692]

Tried baffles on my GL1100 after the mufflers fell off. I had short bends of 2" pipe welded to my head pipes then clamped a length of straight 2" pipe on. Put 12" baffles inside that quieted the exhaust a little. I then tried wrapping fiberglass around the baffles (salvaged from an old oven) and this made a big difference. No idea what kind of back pressure it had but was quiet enough for me and cheap. I would do it again next time I need cheap mufflers.

[@conniekahl8015]

Nice to see old school hard tail style. nicely done! Keep on!

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Thanks Connie I love this thing

[@jeffsayle7529]

To me, it sounds both slightly quieter and smoother. Thanks for the insight as I've just bought a baffle to stick in the tailpipe of my 1979 DT175 Enduro (import to the UK from the USA)

[@Doc_89]

You should try some "Hotrod" baffles, looks like the inside of gun silencers. Hard to describe, but rub your grays a little; |= |= |= |= |= [the baffle ring, with a small pipe in center] You have to figure out how big the hole in the ring is, and add corresponding pipe to it. cut it 1" and weld in place. Use some thin stock or thread stock to line them up with maybe ½-1" between each stack, from the pipe-end. Shove them in, pipe-side in, into the exhaust. Takes away the harsh high "pinging" sounds but lets out a deep rumble. And you can custom the sounds further by tacking a half cut spacer on the pipe bit, just make sure to alternate the sides of the spacers. FYI, i did so with my CB 750, 4 pipes with stacks, on idle, from the back, she almost sounds like an oldschool v8 flathead.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Well these were cheap and easy and did what I wanted to do. I think I know the baffles you are referring to actually and are something ill keep in mind.

[@railinly610]

Man, that chopper is a peach. All bike and nothing else. Perfect.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Thank ya! 🤘

[@groovypavement2697]

@8:35 "The exhaust baffles really made it handle a lot better, i'm tellin' ya." =) Gold-tier comedy. Love it =)

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

🤣🤣 Always love it when people catch those random lines

[@arthurleino]

That is a nice XS650. I had a 78 XS650 Special when stationed at NAS North Island. Sold it to buy a 80 Sportster. Was a good Bike for the San Diego area back then.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Thank ya

[@martinharris5017]

I have a different sort of aircooled machine: A custom VW Beetle. The neighbors complain about the custom dual-tip exhaust system so I put a couple of these baffles in the tips. Takes the bark out of the sound without killing it too much, so they work for cars too!

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Yeah that "bark" is the thing that bothers people and myself. Much better to eliminate it

[@roamingearth915]

Awesome...... I can hear a difference in the video. Seems to have smoothed it out. So great what you did and can do!! Man I wish I could get you too custom my xs400sj........someday, one day it will ride nice again. Thanks for the watch and the ride was nice. Have to figure out when your time permits, to get my bike in your hands.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

I actually had to up the volume in the after clips as compared to before. Definitely less aggressive

[@roamingearth915]

@@BrickHouseBuilds surprisingly your not burning your leg from the heat.....I'd deal with it myself as I like a bike that you have to pay attention too.

[@roamingearth915]

My bike is more brat style (simple) not well done but saved clean enough. Trying to learn but failing.....I can laugh about it but unfortunately can't get it rolling right. Yet! Lol

[@ACECafeBikes]

I think it sounds better. Old man, then I most be ancient. I do like the porch talk at the end, cool angle.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Thank ya! Sounds kida of "bubbly" if that makes sense. The porch angle was totally spontaneous and I liked it too

[@TheJWC56RSA]

For such short baffles, yes they do make a difference! Good job!

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Agreed and thank you!

[@briimcfly]

Ayyy this is awesome. I'm going through the same thing with my XS. I have a pair of Pandemonium Ya Mama pipes that he did for me as straight shots instead of having the little kickout. My gf is convinced i'm going to make enemies out of all our neighbors if I keep ripping through the neighborhood. I've been wanting to put some baffles in and this video came around just in time. Would love to see some more XS stuff. Your bike is iconic man, i've saved it a few times in my inspiration hunt during my own build. I'm super stoked to have found your channel, Subbed.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Well I really appreciate that Bryan! This would have an identical sound on the yo mamma pipes Im sure. I do like the baffles having been installed for over a week now as it is far more appropriate noise wise.

[@mikewells6873]

It sounds great with the baffles in. XS650 Yams always sound good. What a superb chopper. love the programmes . I built a CX 500 café racer. Its nice to watch some one else build one . Good work .

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Well thank you Mike! I like having the variety of bikes so yea choppers, scramblers, adv bike I want them all!

[@savinggracechurch4112]

Gorgeous bike and a much more reliable engine than the triumph 500 twin. Happy New Year bro

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

🤘🤘

[@mattcc6603]

Love your sense of humour!👍😂

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Thanks Matt!

[@oldsledpurgatory3595]

Definitely sounds better with the baffles (and also sounds like the engine is a little happier). I've heard of people using valve springs for baffles and always wondered if they work.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Valve springs?? Hmm. I could see that as maybe an "exhaust washer" type mod for increased exhaust gas velocity. Very interesting though

[@MisterDivineAdVenture]

I'm not the brightest bulb seriously I miss a lot and it takes me a long time - but why not cut and grind one side of that fat end and let it close and reduce the diameter? Hey - did I get one right?

[@glovester]

This thing is remarkably cool and cleanly done, and i've always wondered about these cheap baffles!

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Thank you! I really like this thing as its just not at all the usual bike I have in the shop

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

@@glovester Check out any of my exhaust videos for the cx/gl bikes. I source everything from Cone engineering

[@GaragebandandBeyond]

Nice vid! Doesn't help that the end of the pipes are right under your ear! SWEET BIKE THOUGH!

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Sacrifices must be made in the name if style! 😁

[@MaaZeus]

Judging from the video they worked maybe a little bit too well because all the bass was gone. 😅 But again, that is just the video. It probably sounds much better in person.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Yea the video can only capture so much. In person I prefer the baffles and especially when riding.

[@timh1187]

Looked so fun. It’s snowing here so lame. Ride safe🙂

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Snowed here a few days ago! Thank you though

[@sleethmitchell]

ha ha!!! i did the exact same thing but didn't bother to weld the baffles or the turnouts back on. with the forlorn hope that pressure + vibration would knock them out. no such luck.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

So you installed them hoping they would fall out? I'm confused

[@morteneide3857]

A really nice bike! The baffles made a difference, but is it worth it;). Good video !

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Thank you! For me it was worth it. Made a big difference riding the bike

[@shovel2683]

I like the before sound best

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

On camera its arguable but riding the later is much preferable for sure

[@Trikekid84]

What was your jetting before the baffles because it runs smooth it seems with no popping like a lot of these 650s that I hear.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

I actually have no idea. The pilot jets were actually the wrong style as I later discovered

[@taurushipointenthusiast1306]

I`d say if quieter was the goal YA Nailed it, I am trying to achieve the same a little quieter for the ride so I can make longer rides.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

It's hard to tell in this video but it does make a difference while riding

[@OldBiker]

did you notice it run smoother with the baffles in?

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Not really smoother at this point as I later discovered I had the wrong pilot jet version in the bike which helped out a ton.

[@gagepuffinbarger6939]

I dont know how much quieter it is, but it definitely sounds more refined

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

In person it did tame it more than the video made it seem. Not drastic but it did help

[@mynameisjonas1997]

That thing is cool as hell! Rock on

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Many thanks man!

[@butchholliday9024]

I've told you before - I'm not usually a chopper kinda guy, but I like this one the more I see it. I'm curious about how you feel about only having rear brake. Do you find yourself ever reaching for a front brake lever? Do you ever really wish you had one?

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Thanks Butch. Having built it with no front brake I am always 100% aware its not there. You ride this differently than other bikes. Its sketchy but thats how they are and kinda supposed to be. Id like a cool drum up front but thats a spendy endeavor for how id want it.

[@eyesorecycles5228]

Seems like you got some better throttle response to

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Hard to say, the before clips I had fuel delivery issues and while I did these baffles I also rebuilt the carbs. It does seem more docile down low now which is good. Been riding it daily this week

[@falashlaba20]

Your handlebars????? no controls? no master cylinder reservoir? how? Did you just rid yourself of it all or did you relocat everything?

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Its a chopper. No front brake, no signals, I only have a single filament headlight bulb. Just what it needs to run

[@mypatagonianeaglejourney7604]

I have a 250cc, sound kinda same with your baffled one.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

250cc twin or single cylinder?

[@mypatagonianeaglejourney7604]

@@BrickHouseBuilds inline twin

[@mypatagonianeaglejourney7604]

@@BrickHouseBuilds here's the vid kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpK3k59rfaqSjpY

[@snowcone75]

I needed to see this. Im planning on installing those baffles, too. Knowing ill lose top end power but improving low end torque. I have some packing to wrap onto my baffles and i think that will help. Any tuning with the carbs?

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

With any changes to the exhaust you will likely need some small tweaks. I later found out that I had the incorrect pilot jets in this bike which required a full retune but made drastic improvements

[@conniekahl8015]

Quick Question. We're having a hard time finding the correct tank petcock for this CX500 project we have.. Ordered 2 now both listed for it. Both incorrect. I think it is 18 mm with fine thread. Can you give us a lead? Thank you. Never miss a new vid, working through past ones. Just love to see your work. Always super nice and well thought out. Keep on!

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

You know for sure its 18? The ones you get are too big or too small?

[@conniekahl8015]

@@BrickHouseBuilds Well both lol! I'll check it to see for sure what mm it is. Check with pitch gauge what it is also. Was trying the easy way I thought, just order one for the bike. Whole story, Brother was fixing a poorly stored Johnny Pag Spyder 300 (can't find a good parts vendor for it at all! It's willie nillie at best!) He used apple cyd vin to de rust tank. left it way to long and it ate through Spyder petcock. I know, smarty right! For a quick fix the CX got robbed. It fits Spyder perfect! but it doesn't always shut off. Valve has peened over cast pins not screws. So no easy clean out or repair. But it's working kinda for now. Owners all jumpy to ride it before winter. (not sure what he's been doing for the last eight years. No matter) So now CX has none and I'd like to test ride soon. This is the CX I talked to you before about.Rake turned out nice. Fish plated the neck completely. Maybe wrapped is a better way to put it. Over laid frame back bone with split piece of DOM. Beefed up couple other places on the frame also. Way stronger now. Back to petcock. I'd better get 2. I'm sure he'll be back, no one else will touch the Spyder! lol! thank you.

[@MORIO3020]

Bruit d'échappement grave qui passe a un son aigu, mais très légèrement moins fort , 😇 🤐 😎

[@just_some_bloke]

I love the raspy harshness of open pipes on xs650's. I run open drag pipes.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Thats fine just not what I like on my bikes

[@robwinter4173]

i'm impressed,rob

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

🤘

[@garybrady9531]

Are those like a spark arrestor

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Not really sure if they would compare well

[@garybrady9531]

@@BrickHouseBuilds I wasn't sure either

[@vibrantalien430]

Hi Bud, Looking forward a Separate video for Chassis and suspension setups! Planning for a chopper build using interceptor650 engine in my garrage in India🇮🇳. Thanks...!

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Feel free to look at my channel for many many videos on a variety of motorcycle topics

[@aryavazrielbolehnihpastina8736]

I love chopper but my besic is yamaha sx 225 😅

[@ryanschumacher2551]

Has anybody given you a hard time for using a Vermont plate? I'm about to do the same for my xs just wondering if I'd have to get it swapped over asap or if I could use those for awhile.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Look at my previous video for the Vermont title process explained if you want to see my experience with it. This bike....uhhh...does not belong to this plate specifically lol

[@ryanschumacher2551]

@@BrickHouseBuilds I watched it. I'm pretty sure you have to get Vin verification now. Do you know where you get that done in Missouri?

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

@@ryanschumacher2551 The highway patrol does that. Missouri form 551

[@tonyrossi5267]

No glass fibre padding?

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Nope, these work by basically smashing the sound pulses back into eachother. Packing would be quieter but not much room at 1.5" tubing

[@michaellawrence5492]

Before is naturally full after with baffles just pinches nuts.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

In person its different. Way too obnoxious before. This was a good solution without fully redesigning the pipes

[@michaellawrence5492]

@@BrickHouseBuilds It is sometimes hard to have your cake and eat it too. But when you think about it the internal combustion engine by its own sort is an is a sound instrument as well when played. With carbs that come alive drawing creating a beat and tone along with the exhaust pulsing its beat to the same temple but different only by tone and pitch. Deepness by tone and still hard towards clear together they produce a song. You can have two of the same motors and how they are setup determines that song but also a notice swiftness of spirit from rest, Ha! It's all cool A..... , Ha!

[@robertcapozzi2934]

That things cool ,sounds great

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

🤘🤘

[@frankcarey9452]

Would you tell me what size main jets you are running on the xs ?

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Hey Frank, currently has a 140 main in it but I'm not dead set on it being perfect. I need to do a bit more tuning now that it has the baffles in it

[@frankcarey9452]

@@BrickHouseBuilds I have similar baffles but longer and k+n type filters on mine. i'm getting a good drive up to 3/4 throttle but stalls then. I've 142.5 in it now but no difference from the 140 really. A bit of improvement dropping the needles in midrange but can't get the top power out of it. It just stutters at the 3/4 throttle mark. I'm going to try the 145 main jets next ??

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

@@frankcarey9452 I'd say go for it. Nothing to lose there

[@xs650abear6]

On my 79 xs650 with BS38 carbs I'm running #140 main jet and #30 pilot jet.

[@mikeopenshaw9128]

Ha - I will lend you my "Don't underestimate an old man on a motorcycle" T-shirt - though somehow I don't have you down as being 60 next year like me? And I may also lend you my "If it don't fit - don't force it" CD? 😂 Great job by the way! 😉

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Hahaha I'll wear them proudly! Thank you

[@Mo_G]

I don't think there much defrant, and it's cool bike by the way 😉

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Thank you

[@jootai]

sick bike

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Thank you

[@miro_yo]

Is it honda or yamaha, orrr is Honmaha

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Anyway you say it is correct 😎

[@msg63bretired82]

Sure sounds like it runs better afterward.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Less aggressive for sure. I did later discover that I had the wrong model pilot jets in the bike. That changed it completely

[@xs650abear6]

If pipes were longer the sound would be more behind you rather than right beside you.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Well yes naturally but shorter pipes in general have a more harsh sound which I'm not really a fan of. The baffles really made a nice difference when riding and I like it much more now.

[@xs650abear6]

@@BrickHouseBuilds Loudest bike I ever heard was a friend's old Shovelhead. His slash cut straight pipes came out of the head and straight down only about 12" long. No one would ride next to him.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

@@xs650abear6 Yea thats no fun at all!

[@jamesirmert]

You probably need to rejet.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Yea a change like this would benefit from further tweaking but I'm just happy the sound is improved.

[@SanghunJung93]

we need more nombers of sound DB.... i mean i want to watch the graphic hhaha... good exhuast and welding

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

I tried to get more on that but It was out of my skill range lol

[@cheifDeisel]

Brother, if you can't tell if it made a difference then it didn't make a difference

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

@cheifDeisel It made a difference though. In person is different than what the mic really picked up

[@DocJonesGarage]

Sounded way quieter to me.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Definitely a bit less obnoxious which is good

[@tim.iteland.9447]

A couple of cherry bomb car mufflers , work great and are cheap .

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Those are huge though. I didn't want to change the look of the pipes I made

[@tim.iteland.9447]

@@BrickHouseBuilds yeah , no good for this build . But in UK we had 2inch to 3.5inch back to 2 inches and only about 35cm long . Sometimes used a a tail pipe muffler on a straight through system . Be good for other projects in the future maybe (:

[@MrAlmar07]

SORRY, I can't hear a thing.. You old!! Next you'll be wearing plaid trousers & have a knuckle cane!! Ha. Would a slit cut on the backside not have helped get the baffles in. Real sweet bike!!! 😉🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🤘

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Hahaha I definitely act like an old man most of the time. I may already have those trousers

[@MrAlmar07]

Welcome to the club@@BrickHouseBuilds Nothing wrong with Plaid, I've been eyeing up a pair, a la 'Old Biff'. 😉🤣

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

@@MrAlmar07 His red sweater looked good though!

[@anonharingenamn]

This is your sexiest bike for sure. Dream bike. Bet it’s pretty awful to ride though haha.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Well what are your expectations for said ride? It's a hardtail chopper with a non-sprung seat so you kind of expect it to be a bit rough. It's not something I want to daily but I love riding it just for how you feel when on it. An old school chop is like a time machine in a way

[@anonharingenamn]

@@BrickHouseBuilds Of course, you have to expect such a bike to be quite uncomfortable to ride. I still badly want one, though. Moving to a house soon, but with the way gasoline engines are going I kinda worry I'll never get a chopper like yours! A man can dream, though.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

@@anonharingenamn Hey there are thousands of these things laying around. You will get one ya just have to look

[@anonharingenamn]

@@BrickHouseBuilds Thanks for the encouragement!

[@douglas9607]

I bet that's a light bike.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Definitely, not much to it!

[@rickhibdon11]

i never liked those cheapie baffles. They always have a fluttery, fart sound to them.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

I agree but unless I remade the entire exhaust this was my only real option I could do semi quickly. It is better than it was so I'm happy with it.

[@rickhibdon11]

@@BrickHouseBuilds I agree with you there. Your pipes look great. I built a lot of chops back in the day, and lots of guys wanted those baffles. I wish I had the skills to build exhausts like that

[@mobicus1]

They stole your bottom end, acoustically speaking.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Agreed, it sounds "bubbly" if I had to use a single word. At least in these clips. So far riding it this past week I have enjoyed it though

[@chrismandeville9805]

That thing is so ugly it's cool 😎 I like it 👌

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Thank ya

[@padrescout]

Is it weird that this video kind of make me ashamed that I ride a bone stock factory motorcycle?

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Definitely don't be ashamed at that! Much to be said for stock bikes. Hop on and ride them!

[@gsxrinfrance5827]

Don't you value your hands ? no gloves, ....and no safety gear...come on, just falling off standing still will do damage, and at any speed its gonna do real damage

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Thats what you got from the video?

[@bear186]

I’d love have a bike that loud for 1 reason ,,, to piss off my neighbors… Noooo I don’t like my neighbors…. Good job

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Lol I have some super loud neighbors that share that feeling

[@bigal7561]

Ahh Mannn. I just finished restoring a 1975 Honda CB 360T, by hand. Lots of 0000, sweat, blood and 3 years and I just finished. You chopped that 650....SHAME..

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

You know what is unfortunate here is that I can appreciate a restored bike and will gladly view one at a show but people like you seem to want to gatekeep and act superior for zero reason. I don't care what someone rides as long as they are on something they enjoy. I like hearing the stories and get along with everyone as we all have common ground. You don't need to like modified bikes but be better to your fellow motorcycle enthusiasts as you make yourself seem less like one with comments like that.

[@robertadams4415]

Not as sharp

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Agreed, bit less harsh which is what I wanted

[@mattmagill3399]

Not worth the work. IMHO.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

@@mattmagill3399 In person it definitely was

[@dalecarpenter8828]

That is one ugly scooter?

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Well if your presenting it as a question my answer is heck no it's beautiful 😍

[@UserYoutube-i6f]

First of all you need longer baffles at least 4 inches second you need to wrap them with fibreglass wrap to reduce droning sound and get deeper tone 🥸

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Thanks for watching. I got the results I ultimately wanted