Jake asked:

I have a 2004 Harley FXST softail standard with a carburated engine, Vance and Hines Straightshots HS that were installed on the motorcycle by Harley Davidson. I really want to put a set of unbaffled Samson Big Guns on it as I love the sound so much better than the Vance and Hines pipes.

What I want to know is if you can tell me what, if anything, that I should do special to it before I do this. I have had a bunch of my buddies tell me not to do it and warning me about things like back pressure, reversion cones, torque cones, nothing at all, just slap them on. etc.....seems like every opinion varies. I want to make sure I do it right the first time and I would appreciate the help. Thanks in advance for any help you can give.

Our Answer

Jake....thanks for asking us our opinion. The first thing I should tell you is that any unbaffled Harley Pipe is going to be incredibly loud and will more than likely run like a steaming pile of dog crap. Exhaust pipes are meant to have restriction to the flow and by removing this, you dramatically impact the fuel requirements and can possibly do lasting damage to your motorcycle.

If you are stuck on doing it then by all means.....have at it. At the very least you will have to rejet the carburetor to get the air/fuel mix right. I'd be lying if I told you I thought it would be a good idea. I would suggest that maybe if you are after a louder exhaust note that you consider a competition baffle as Vance and Hines typically offers that option.

In any event....it doesn't matter what someone else thinks....if you like it and it fits you then by all means you should do it. It's your bike......Samson pipes are great.....I'd just leave the baffles in them or maybe drill them to get a small increase in noise. Good Luck.