Author Topic: Suzuki DL650 Exhaust Muffler Modification (Read 13158 times)

bat-kam · « **on:** June 01, 2012, 20:01:23 »

Has any of you tried cutting out muffler from the exhaust? I am really interested if it works? Does it sounds OK, is there any change to the fuel usage, is it road legal?

Thanks in advance

Sea-Strom · « **Reply #1 on:** June 01, 2012, 20:58:47 »

Sounds good but as far as I know, tampering with an exhaust could be deemed illegal. If a silencer has any leak (holes?) it could fail an mot. Fitting an aftermarket, even if louder than the mod, is a safer option. However, if money is the reason.......

bat-kam · « **Reply #2 on:** June 01, 2012, 21:03:32 »

MONEY is the main reason why I am thinking about is.

I will visit the bloke that I did my service and MOT with to find out what he thinks about it.

Sea-Strom · « **Reply #3 on:** June 01, 2012, 21:05:53 »

Good thinking......the police are the only other possible fly in the ointment.

Ptarmigan · « **Reply #4 on:** June 01, 2012, 22:22:23 »

I'm no expert but I'd put money on that being an MOT fail

I know Locksmith has had his pea-shooter removed and that changes the note noticably but I wouldn't even go that far meself.

I'm currently saving up for a new GPR and it has to be the black one....which just happans to be £100 more expensive...but I just keep telling myself it will be worth the wait.

Locky · « **Reply #5 on:** June 01, 2012, 22:26:49 »

Yes the pea shooter had been removed on mine by the previous owner , it makes it sound slightly deeper without being noisy .

mr_diver · « **Reply #6 on:** June 01, 2012, 22:45:41 »

I cut out the pea shooter. Yes deeper sound very little extra noise. But sounds more like a v twin.

bat-kam · « **Reply #7 on:** June 02, 2012, 11:42:31 »

So, I have spoken to bloke (Mark - I think) at the garage http://www.all2wheelers.com/ where I service my bike and do MOT and he said: with the aluminium cover back on police won't know that anything was modified. From MOT point of view it should be fine as long as it is not too loud.

After I'm back from short trip to Isle of Wight this weekend I should attempt to modify my exhaust.

willbo · « **Reply #8 on:** June 02, 2012, 13:30:43 »

I'm all for modifying an such, added a few things myself, but not going to lay a finger on my exhaust. I quite like it as it is, plus it would cost alot to repair after knowing my luck

. I don't really hear it anyway when riding, I've got the screen tilted nicely to stop the buffeting and as a side result I get to hear the engine purr nicely

Ptarmigan · « **Reply #9 on:** June 02, 2012, 14:21:57 »

Quote from: "bat-gacek"

After I'm back from short trip to Isle of Wight this weekend I should attempt to modify my exhaust.

Good luck with it bat-gacek, don't forget to take pictures or even a video. I'm sure there are many who haven't posted responses who would be interested to see how you get on..

Locky · « **Reply #10 on:** June 02, 2012, 17:39:27 »

If you regreted doing it , it would be quite easy to reverse with a bit of sheet steel and tube , as long as you can weld ..

Sea-Strom · « **Reply #11 on:** June 03, 2012, 11:12:46 »

Good point - I debaffled my Intruder exhaust and then bought an aftermarket so had backplates welded up to return the originals to 'stock'. I fixed them on with silicone (high temp and sticks incredibly well.) If you did not peer right down the middle with a strong light you would not know it had meen modified, except for the added lower/louder tone. With the removable plate on the V.Strom it is ideal for modification as from the outside it will look original anyway. As for MOT - I took in my excessively loud Harley with Screaming Eagle II pipes last year before I sold it. It passed the MOT with an advisory 'loud exhaust'....doesn't seem to make much difference these days. If you know where to go you can get virtually any exhaust MOT'd. - it is really down to the tester's discretion

Exhausts are just metal tubes - if you can modify your own and it looks, sounds OK why not save money? Looking forward to seeing yours bat-gacek - I'm sure quite a few on here might have a go if yours turns out OK.!

Locky · « **Reply #12 on:** June 03, 2012, 12:01:46 »

Any end can/exhaust should pass a MOT , as long as its not stamped "Not For Road Use".
My KTM is very loud and it always goes through the MOT .

bat-kam · « **Reply #13 on:** June 03, 2012, 12:19:30 »

I could not wait until I was back form my trip!

This morning I went to B&Q and bought the Dremel 200 Series Multi Tool http://www.diy.com/nav/fix/power-tools/hobby-&-multi-tools/specialist_tools/Dremel-200-Series-Multi-Tool-10957560 and Dremel Mini Set Cutting Kit 26150688JA http://www.diy.com/nav/fix/power-tools/accessories/drill-bits/drill_bits/-specificproducttype-cutters/Dremel-Mini-Set-Cutting-Kit-26150688JA-9288361. For some reason I paid only £40

. Best spent money ever!

I did not record what I have done because the clip already exists on youtube. I took some pictures.

Then MOD

1. Break the welds on 3 bolts securing the aluminium cover.

2. Flip the cover over and draw the area of the aluminium cover on the plate that you will cut out. After that cut the excess pipe before you start drilling for better access when drilling.

3. Drill the wholes on the line that you drew - use small drill bit (3mm, 3,5mm), it will go through easier. I used the cordless drill and had to charge battery twice.

4 use multi tool to cut the leftover metal that connects the wholes.

5. With multi tool cut out from the inside of the exhaust the inner tube. Due to space restrictions I had to cut it in two pieces. As you can see on the picture the top tube is the one I cut (nice and shiny

).

6. Collect all the metal bits from the inside using magnetic tool.

7. File the sharp ends on the metal plate and then mount back the aluminium cover.

I was positively surprised when I started the engine. The sound is fantastic, a lot lower and deeper. No I know that I ride V-twin.

I am not sure if the noise level is less then 94 dB but I downloaded app on iPhone and will check it later. Will post an update.

Thanks

bat-kam · « **Reply #14 on:** June 03, 2012, 12:36:51 »

Now I will keep an eye on fuel consumption. Monday/Tuesday will do 400 miles two up with luggage

.

BTW I PM Juvecu to move this topic to Exhausts.

Sea-Strom · « **Reply #15 on:** June 03, 2012, 13:34:22 »

I recently had a can marked Not for Road Use. I contacted 2 dealers re MOT - 1 said if the original pipe was brought in as well (not fitted) an MOT would be given. The other said if the writing was covered in some way (eg tape) an MOT would be given. There appear to be ways round everything!

bat-kam · « **Reply #16 on:** June 06, 2012, 18:09:09 »

Back from the trip and happy to report that fuel consumption has changed from 56 MPG to 61MPG

This was 2 up fully loaded panniers and top box. The only thing different from normal solo riding was that I was gentle with the throttle because my Mrs would not be happy with jerky ride. Speeds between 50-80 mph. on the hilly bits of roads I was letting her roar

.

The sound of new/modified exhaust is great (Mrs approved

). Only at the 5k RPM it gets into your ears but anything below air above that is fine.

I will post some pictures from the trip in Picture section.

jimmy b · « **Reply #17 on:** June 11, 2012, 14:12:03 »

nice upgrade..I wish you had posted sooner..I had the same problem..& drilled near 20 holes in my std system..to no avail ..it sounded like a cement mixer. it was .terrible ..so I thought the only way to get the sound & looks was to go for a gpr system or remus..I went the remus route & was lucky enough to buy a full remus system inc carbon oval road legal can for £135..off a bloke in hampshire while I was on holiday..but it still wasn't loud enough..so I'm getting it sorted at gibson exhausts in romford Essex ..but at around £70..its not cheap...if I'm honest I don't like the look of the std system anyway & prefer the nice carbon oval anyway ..but I fully understand moneys tight at the mo & if you can get the sound of the little v strom to mimic a ducatti with" twin termis" on albeit without the "dry clutch rattle"..hats off to you..have you posted on u tube id like a listen to your can mod..thanks jim!!!

bat-kam · « **Reply #18 on:** June 11, 2012, 22:30:44 »

Thanks Jim.
I too, don't like the look of the standard exhaust. It is to big, heavy and standard looking. And don't get me started on the sound of it. I would much prefer the after market GPR of Remus full exhaust system but as I pointed out at the start of this topic the money is the issue.
I have an account on youtube but never uploaded anything. it has been raining heavily here in Bmth for last few days and it hasn't stopped

so I was unable to shoot the video clip. Once it clears up I shall do my best to capture my MOD and the sound of the converted system.
Thanks, Kamil

bat-kam · « **Reply #19 on:** June 18, 2012, 20:57:19 »

As promised please see my video clip where you can hear how the modified exhaust sounds like.

I recorded it with my iPhone and it was pretty windy (no excuses

).