Opening up the stock mufflers

[Rufus]

I am waiting for Warners to get Stage One kits for the Vegas in stock. They have been on backorder for awhile. I really hope that they come in by Wednesday of this week. I was hoping to have this done two weeks ago and really would like to have it installed before the ride down to the Victory rally on Friday. If the kits don't arrive in the next few days, I think that I can substitute my own temporary kit. What I am thinking of doing is installing the K&N filter kit, havind Tom at Warners install the new computer map, and somehow drilling out my stock mufflers to increase exhaust flow, hopefully approaching the flow of the stage one mufflers, then finally install the real stage one mufflers when they arrive.

Sound like a plan? Any advice on where or how to drill?

Anyone have some cosmetically damaged or (badly damaged in an accident) stage one mufflers that they are not using and that I can borrow for a week or two? I suppose Classic Cruiser or V92C stage one mufflers won't fit on a Vegas though.

Rufus

[Choirguy]

Rufus, Tom has opened up many a muffler for Victory riders over the years. I'd check with him to see what his price would be (and if he has time). On the other hand, why not just wait? I'm sure your bike can already go in excess of legal speed limits. Is it just a noise/coolness factor as tje American Victory Rally approaches, or are you planning to race some people (Inge already filled us in about the racetrack)?

[Doug G]

Rufus

Try checking at Heinen & Mason, Paul has stage I & II kits in stock

[Rufus]

Certainly, the coolness/ noise facter is part of it, especially as the rally approaches. But also, I simply want the extra power, and the price of the Stage One kit, compared to the power you get, makes it a true performance bargain.
I was always planning on getting the Stage One kit installed. In fact, I was going to pick up the bike with it already installed at first, but then changed my mind. I thought that it would be better to break the engine in under stock power output levels and get a feel for how the bike ran, how it accelerated out of corners, when passing, etc. I would have a personal, seat of the pants feel for how my bike ran before and after. I thought that this would be easy to accomplish and interesting. I have dynoed the bike, (at Manleys on Lake St, 73 hp, 89 tq, 1300 miles on the odo) and plan on dynoing it again in the future, after the stage one installation.
I have been waiting 2 weeks for these kits to arrive, not a particularly long time, but I was looking forward to having the extra power up on the BIR track and missed out on that. The chances of me ever using the stock mufflers again is very small, so I don't have any problem drilling holes in them. This temporary Stage One substitute (along with the air filter and new computer map) seems like a viable plan. I am assuming that Dean will let me pay for Stage One kit in advance and just use the new computer map and airfilter components first, and then install the new mufflers later, therefore , if I drill my mufflers out myself, the cost of this "temporary kit" is free.The alternative is another long weekend road trip under reduced power and with less "fun".
Why wait? Tuba, would you?

[Choirguy]

Originally posted by Rufus
Why wait? Tuba, would you?

Yeah, I would, but that's just me. I put 3500 miles on my 2000C before adding any accessories at all. I guess some folks are better off with the concept of delayed gratification.

No, in all seriousness, if you're all about speed and sound, there is no logical reason for you to put this off. I guess I've never been a rider that focuses on those issues as much as I am about distance.

So good luck with your drilling, and I hope those kits come in soon for you!

[Inge]

Driving a new Vegas, your bike already looks and sounds great. I wouldn't be too concerned about more power for the Spirit Lake trip, go for the reliability and enjoy.