Exhaust too loud

[peperino]

Hi gentlemen, hope you are having a great time!

Today I wanted to ask you if you know a cheap way to make the exhaust quieter. The Triax 250 (as it's known here in Argentina) has a unrestricted, loud exhaust. It gets tiresome after long rides.

I've been talking with some mechanic and they say they can make a custom, quieter exhaust. And expensive. So I'm looking for a cheaper, easier solution.

Here's what it looks like inside. I wonder if the USA version has something else to make it quieter that this one doesn't.

http://imgur.com/nvjabx3

Thank you!

[Huck369]

A lot of the noise of the RX-3 comes from the air box, not just the exhaust....

But a Supertrapp muffler is tuneable, so you could fit one of those to it.....or cheaper to buy some ear plugs :)

[SpudRider]

You should be able to buy a universal muffler insert which will quiet the exhaust. I am unfamiliar with the current models, but you can probably find one if you search the internet. ;)

[jct842]

When I took the test on a greeves 250 wearing an expansion chamber I stuffed it with course steel wool. Was about the last year off-road bikes came with titles around 1968. Ran like crap and after tested it blew out!

[peperino]

Unfortunately here we don't have many choices as ebay, etc. Also, people here tend to do the opposite, make MORE noise. :(

Would someone be so kind of taking a picture just like the one I took in my OP so I can compare what's the difference between the model sold in usa and argentina? Maybe with that picture I can ask a mechanic for a cheaper alternative.

Thank you

[SpudRider]

You can reduce exhaust noise by inserting a pipe of smaller diameter into the muffler outlet. I suggest you measure the inside diameter of the muffler outlet. You can then insert a piece of copper pipe, et cetera, which is smaller in diameter, and bolt, or screw it in place. The smaller pipe will definitely reduce the exhaust noise.

Please post more photographs of your muffler, and your entire exhaust system.

[peperino]

That would be great. And if one could do it with cheap stuff from a hardware store, would be fantastic.

Here are some more pics of the exhaust. If you have the time, please show me yours.

http://imgur.com/a/a1DOG

Thank you!

[AZRider]

Try removing the end cap, you may find that you can stuff more insulation in the baffle.

[peperino]

So, remove rivets, check for room for more packing material, if so stuff some more, replace rivets, try ?

[SpudRider]

That would be great. And if one could do it with cheap stuff from a hardware store, would be fantastic.

Here are some more pics of the exhaust. If you have the time, please show me yours.

http://imgur.com/a/a1DOG

Thank you!

You're welcome. :)

I looked at your photographs. You have the same exhaust system we have in the United States. ;) I'm sure you can reduce exhaust noise by following the advice I posted earlier.

If you drill out the rivets, you can remove the end cap of the muffler. Then you will be able to insert, and fasten, a smaller diameter pipe in the muffler outlet. Finally, you can replace the end cap, and install new rivets. :)

[peperino]

Awesome. It is the same? It is clearly making more noise than the one I hear in this video at the 2 min mark.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-1KcaySoaw#t=2m

I'll can try the pipe thing. Is there something I could look for on a hardware store?

[SpudRider]

Awesome. It is the same? It is clearly making more noise than the one I hear in this.

I'll can try the pipe thing. Is there something I could look for on a hardware store?

Yes, your exhaust system is exactly the same as mine. :) The bike in that video has a different exhaust header, which was later changed.

Measure the inside diameter of the muffler outlet. Then search the hardware store for a smaller pipe, made of any metal, which will fit inside. ;)

[peperino]

Alright.
I'll record a video of mine tomorrow so you can hear it. I'm pretty sure it sounds louder than the one in the video.

Thanks !!!

[Huck369]

Of my 3 street legal motorcycles, the exhaust on the RX-3 is the loudest, butI don't consider it excessively loud(and I am NOT a fan of loud bikes), but it IS louder than either my XT250, or my NC700X (The NC is crazy quite! ) :)

[SpudRider]

I guess my hearing is compromised. :shrug: The exhaust sounds just right to me. ;)

[rtking]

Exhaust doesn't sound too loud to me either. But then again, with the drivers here in SoCal... louder is better to get their attention.

[peperino]

Wait until you hear mine.. is definitely louder than the one in the video

[fratermus]

cheaper to buy some ear plugs :)

Agreed. Earplugs are the easiest and cheapest way to fight noise fatigue.
They have the additional benefit of reducing wind/helmet noise, too.

I've been wearing earplug for the last few years and it's much more comfortable.

[Jay In Milpitas]

Wait until you hear mine.. is definitely louder than the one in the video

I think the microphone doesn't make the true sound. The exhaust note is louder. I plan to try a few things without opening the muffler.

As Huck says, there is also a lot of intake noise too. May be something that can be worked around.

[Weldangrind]

Agreed. Earplugs are the easiest and cheapest way to fight noise fatigue.
They have the additional benefit of reducing wind/helmet noise, too.

I've been wearing earplug for the last few years and it's much more comfortable.

I'm in the same habit now. A little tinnitus has kicked in, and I sure don't want it to become worse.

[peperino]

I don't have any problem wearing earplugs. But the noise is not only a problem when you are riding. Also when you arrive home at night, or when you want to start the bike in your house for a brief moment and check something are examples of why it is annoying.

Too noisy for me and I definitely will do something about it.

[Weldangrind]

I agree with you. I'm not saying to use earplugs as a fix.

Perhaps you can find a quite core insert like this one: https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p/902/31474/HMF-Racing-Quiet-Core-Insert

[SpudRider]

The muffler outlet in the United States has a diameter of approximately 1-1/8 inch. As I said earlier, I suggest you look for a pipe approximately this size which will fit inside the muffler outlet. Fasten the inserted pipe with bolts, et cetera, and you will certainly reduce the noise coming from the exhaust system. :)

[ElectricCircus]

¿What about inserting inside the muffler's exhaust pipe a cylinder made of packed mosquitoes metallic mesh? :hmm:

[peperino]

I swear that its a lot louder in the flesh than in video, but here it goes anyway

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDZygTqAX4w&feature=youtu.be

[Adjuster]

I can definitely hear that frrrap ffrrrap that would be very loud at high rpm.


/

[SpudRider]

¿What about inserting inside the muffler's exhaust pipe a cylinder made of packed mosquitoes metallic mesh? :hmm:

Yes, you could purchase, or fabricate one of these spark arrestors. It will probably reduce the exhaust noise, but not as much as inserting a piece of pipe. ;)

https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p/905/23212/Pro-Moto-Billet-Replacement-Spark-Arrestor-Screen?term=muffler+spark+arrestor

https://images.rockymountainatvmc.com/images/prod/400/p/pmb_09_spa_arr_end_cap.jpg

https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p/905/19531/Lexx-MXe-Spark-Arrestor-Insert?term=muffler+spark+arrestor

https://images.rockymountainatvmc.com/images/prod/400/l/lex_08_mxe_spa_arr_ins.jpg

https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p/905/12931/FMF-Factory-4.1-4.1C-Spark-Arrestor?term=muffler+spark+arrestor

https://images.rockymountainatvmc.com/images/prod/400/f/fmf_11_fac_41_41c-spa_arr-1133820001.jpg

https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p/905/34540/FMF-Factory-4.1-RCT-Spark-Arrestor-Insert?term=muffler+spark+arrestor

https://images.rockymountainatvmc.com/images/prod/400/f/fmf_14_fac_41_rct_spa_arr_ins-1366130001.jpg

https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p/905/31482/Lexx-XC-Replacement-Spark-Arrestor-Screen-Insert?term=muffler+spark+arrestor

https://images.rockymountainatvmc.com/images/prod/400/l/lex_11_xc_rep_spa_arr_scr.jpg

[peperino]

You can reduce exhaust noise by inserting a pipe of smaller diameter into the muffler outlet. I suggest you measure the inside diameter of the muffler outlet. You can then insert a piece of copper pipe, et cetera, which is smaller in diameter, and bolt, or screw it in place. The smaller pipe will definitely reduce the exhaust noise.


Do you have an idea on how to secure this pipe? You mention bolts, but I'm having a hard time figuring how it would stay in place.

Thanks

[SpudRider]

You could use screws. You could also tap the holes, and install bolts without nuts, et cetera. After you remove the end cap you will have a lot more room to work, and will be better able to examine the situation. I suggest you acquire a pipe of the proper dimension, remove the muffler end cap, and experiment a little. After you experiment a bit, you will have a much better idea of your options. ;)

[peperino]

You could use screws. You could also tap the holes, and install bolts without nuts, et cetera. After you remove the end cap you will have a lot more room to work, and will be better able to examine the situation. I suggest you acquire a pipe of the proper dimension, remove the muffler end cap, and experiment a little. After you experiment a bit, you will have a much better idea of your options. ;)

That is true.

What do you think about using something like this?

[SpudRider]

That connector will work well, if it has the correct outside diameter. :) You can also examine different diameters of pipe, and different connectors manufactured from copper, and other metals.

[ElectricCircus]

After you remove the end cap you will have a lot more room to work, and will be better able to examine the situation.

Peperino: that way you could see if inside the muffler is there any kind of acousting damper, the chance of add/refill it, or add another kind of noise reduction device.

This picture doesn't belongs to this bike, but brings an idea of the things we can found inside the muffler.
3421
It has an acoustic material (the white wool-like material).

The Corven version of the RX3 has a muffler with a stainless steel riveted ("remaches pop") cap: they can be released (are disposable) drilling a hole inside them, with a drill bit of a diameter slightly lower than the external ring of the rivet.

[peperino]

The Corven version of the RX3 has a muffler with a stainless steel riveted ("remaches pop") cap: they can be released (are disposable) drilling a hole inside them, with a drill bit of a diameter slightly lower than the external ring of the rivet.

My only concern is getting good quality rivets, as I've heard from friends that some rivets expand with heat and vibration and get loose.

[ElectricCircus]

On the local market the common ones are aluminium-headed.
But also you could find on stainless Steel.

[peperino]

Yes, those are my options I've seen. My friend says avoid the aluminium ones.

[SpudRider]

By all means, get good rivets. However, I wouldn't worry too much about it. ;) The end cap fits snugly without rivets, and is light in weight. I doubt you will have any problems after you rivet the assembly together, regardless of the rivets you choose.

[peperino]

Well, here's the thing. A guy from our Triax group just took his rivets off.
There's no cap, the muffler is welded.

Pics incoming

[peperino]

Pics

[SpudRider]

I anticipated that was the case. It doesn't matter. After you remove the end cap you have much more room to drill the holes necessary to fix the pipe inside the muffler outlet. ;)

[peperino]

I anticipated that was the case. It doesn't matter. After you remove the end cap you have much more room to drill the holes necessary to fix the pipe inside the muffler outlet. ;)

Seems like a good idea. I'll see what I can do and report back :)

[ElectricCircus]

Peperino: From the pics on your post #1 and #38 seems to be that on the inside there is only a straight pipe (with a bunch of holes) coming from the engine, isn't?

[peperino]

Ye, but the surrounding has a mesh that I'm guessing it has some packing material, though I couldn't confirm it yet as we didn't fully dissasemble the muffler

[SpudRider]

I also see muffler packing in your photographs. :) However, since the muffler is welded together, you need to cut the muffler apart to repack it. :ohno: I guess we are supposed to purchase a new muffler when the packing material gets blown out the muffler. :shrug:

[peperino]

Alternatively cut, repack, weld?

[SpudRider]

Alternatively cut, repack, weld?

I'm sure it would be much simpler to purchase an aftermarket muffler, which is designed to be repacked. If fitment causes problems, one could purchase another stock muffler. The RX3 bikes sold in Colombia employ a different muffler. If this Colombian muffler can be repacked, one could also buy it. ;)

http://www.moteroscolombia.com/media/kunena/attachments/2726/adventour250_01.gif

[peperino]

Alright, so one of the boys made a pipe insert and the sound is much lower in his bike now. I'm planning to do mine soon

[peperino]

+pic

[SpudRider]

I'm sure that insert quieted the exhaust quite a bit. :) Are you going to install a similar insert?

[peperino]

I'm sure that insert quieted the exhaust quite a bit. :) Are you going to install a similar insert?

Yes, I've got the pipes, now I need some free time from a friend that can weld it for me :)

I'll keep you posted of the results

[SpudRider]

Please do keep us updated. I'm sure you will be equally pleased with the results. :)

[rtking]

I was curious, so I looked at the CSC parts guide online. Based on the picture on the first post of this thread, I can say that the US bikes have a catalytic converter at the base of the muffler. Perino's muffler has no catalyst and, I'm thinking, that's what makes the exhaust much louder for them.

[SpudRider]

I was curious, so I looked at the CSC parts guide online. Based on the picture on the first post of this thread, I can say that the US bikes have a catalytic converter at the base of the muffler. Perino's muffler has no catalyst and, I'm thinking, that's what makes the exhaust much louder for them.

Yes, JimJr21 reported there is a catalytic converter in the front end of the muffler. It is about 3 inches long, and about 3 inches in diameter. ;)

http://www.chinariders.net/showpost.php?p=183100&postcount=2993

It makes sense that the carbureted bikes don't have a catalytic converter. The EFI bikes are exported to countries which have strict emissions requirements, so they also have a catalytic converter. If emission standards are not strict, the carbureted bikes are exported, without a catalytic converter. ;)

[ElectricCircus]

Thanks for sharing peperino!

[peperino]

First attempt. It lowers the noise but I think I wanted even less noise. I guess I went too crazy with the cuts :P

[SpudRider]

You're making good progress. :)

I suggest you drill some holes, instead of cutting all the openings. You can also narrow the outlet of the muffler insert, using either a washer, or a smaller section of pipe. ;)

[ElectricCircus]

Oh, it is a "sound-reduction insert"! I was without my glasses and at first sight believed I entered on the wrong forum... :hehe:

First attempt. It lowers the noise but I think I wanted even less noise. I guess I went too crazy with the cuts :P
You've made/leaved a cut on at the end of the pipe: as long as it faces directly the noise source I believe that it should be fully closed.

[peperino]

So you say the cuts are a no-no ? I would like to avoid welding. Can I fill those cuts with epoxy?

Spud: How one would secure the washer?

[ElectricCircus]

So you say the cuts are a no-no ? I would like to avoid welding. Can I fill those cuts with epoxy?
I don´t know about the lateral cuts... I'll go first sealing the end of the pipe. Epoxi wouldn't resist the temperature at the exhaust, and will burn; maybe it could be plugged with a small quantity of standard cement for Wall building (I mean: portland+sand).

[ripcuda]

I had a Kawi EX500 with a LOUD Muzzy full exhaust. I installed a drag pipe baffle into the rear of the muffler (and a repack) and it made a world of a difference.

You are essentially making your own drag pipe baffle from the looks of it. They are pretty cheap on fleabay and come in different diameters and lengths. Search on fleabay for "drag pipe baffles"... here's one for example:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/PAIR-2-DRAG-PIPE-EXHAUST-BAFFLES-8-LONG-FOR-HARLEY-MUFFLER-PIPES-MOTORCYCLE-/391279373778

Cheers!

[peperino]

I had a Kawi EX500 with a LOUD Muzzy full exhaust. I installed a drag pipe baffle into the rear of the muffler (and a repack) and it made a world of a difference.
You are essentially making your own drag pipe baffle from the looks of it. They are pretty cheap on fleabay and come in different diameters and lengths. Search on fleabay for "drag pipe baffles"... here's one for example:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/PAIR-2-DRAG-PIPE-EXHAUST-BAFFLES-8-LONG-FOR-HARLEY-MUFFLER-PIPES-MOTORCYCLE-/391279373778
Cheers!

Ebay is not an option for me, but thanks anyway :)

[SpudRider]

So you say the cuts are a no-no ? I would like to avoid welding. Can I fill those cuts with epoxy?

Spud: How one would secure the washer?

I agree with Juan Carlos. I suggest you cover the slits in the end of the insert.

If you don't want to weld, you might be able to secure a washer in the outlet of the insert with several screws. ;)

[peperino]

I'm not quite understanding where the washer would be. Can you make a simple draw ? :)

[SpudRider]

You install the washer in the muffler outlet, as described in the following thread.

http://www.nightrider.com/biketech/exhaust.htm

http://www.nightrider.com/biketech/images/drag_pipe_3.jpg

http://hifiparty.home.comcast.net/cone5.jpg

You could also purchase a db Dawg. :)

http://www.dirtwerkz.com/Pages/products/exhaust/dB_Dawg.html

http://www.dirtwerkz.com/images/products/dbdawg/db_dawg_8010B_450.jpg

[peperino]

Alright, so I ended up using that insert and I have to say that I'm pretty pleased with the results :)
Noise has been lowered a lot but still sounds 'punchy' :P

I still need to secure it. The first attempt was trying to use a bolt that snapped its head :doh:
2nd attempt will be a bolt + locking washer + nut.

Ah, I also plan to apply high temp paint to the insert to avoid rusting

[peperino]

Here's a video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekc5gGPf-10

[Weldangrind]

That sounds really good.

[peperino]

That sounds really good.

I'm happy with the results. Is hard to hear the difference in a video but believe me it does sound lower, quieter. As a result now I hear the engine :yay:

[peperino]

More pics, now painted!

[SpudRider]

Your quiet insert sounds great. :tup: You did a very nice installation. :)

[ElectricCircus]

Congratulations peperino!

Thanks for sharing those pics.

[peperino]

Thank you!
Again, I'm happy with the results

[pepelepua]

Great posted many thanks!!
Have you experienced any loss of power?

[peperino]

Great posted many thanks!!
Have you experienced any loss of power?

No loss
Quieter ride, more relaxed, no disturbing noise !