Exhaust questions

On my 79B there is a front muffler and a back muffler. Is there a reason that I need both? If I go to a performance muffler on the back, does that effect the answer? Is it legal to remove the back muffler?

It's ok to remove the center muffler, you'll just get a more robust exhaust note and I doubt you would get a noise ticket, its not much louder. I figure if those poorly engineered, overpriced two wheeled discrace to American engineering, ear drum busters (initials H.D) can get away with deafening the public, an MG with one less muffler won't create that big of a ruckus . I would eliminate the lower muffler to get better ground clearance and just keep the rear muffler.

Peco makes a complete system. I installed it and love it. it was on sale at the time, and my exhaust manifold had a corner broken off. The sound is a muffled throaty sound that is not very loud. Not sure if there is a performance difference but they claim its better. It was a simple job to do. It only has one muffler, in the back.

if you think that HD are poorly designed, then why are you driving an MG.. they are also poorly designed, and yet YOU drive them.. talk about someone NOT knowing what they are talking about....

You haven't driven the evo have you Thomas? If it is such a discrace then why is every Jap co. trying to copy it. Its one thing for sure the HD is the only motorcycle that you adverage bike owner can work on today. I rode Harleys for 10 years and worked on them at a Harley dealership. Granted they did leak a little oil and the road like a buck board,but there is nothing on two wheels that can match the thrill of the old V-twin. Even though everyone has tried. The Harlies of today are a whole nother ball game compaired to the old Knuckel,pan,and shovel heads of yesteryear. If I could afford one it would be setting right beside my MG's.

Amen - Tom
I bought a '76 Sportster (was special Bicentennial Edition - white with red and blue stripping) new and have owned a dozen other MCs but that HD was more fun to ride than any Honda, Kawasaki or even the our British friends Triumph Bonneville. I like the radio on the HD too - you know the one that plays that same pipe music that the MG plays.
Ed

Ditto on Tom B's comment.

Having Owned and ridden Knuckles/Pans/Flatheads et al and at least one JD over these many years I can honestly say that my MG's have given me the same pleasure as the HD's (can't say the same about the wives)...

When I park the B in the garage next to my '76 Shovel I swear I can hear them talking to each other.

Neat stuff HD's and MG's, you actually have to work on them to make them run and when you do it right, they reward you with long service and the best music in the universe, right up there with Pratt & Whitney's finest.

Tom B...haven't been on an EVO yet but several years ago took a test ride on a Gold Wing. Took it back after (1) block. Couldn't tell if it was running, when it shifted etc...

Thomas...this HD vs rest of world crap has been going on forever. I think HD's place is well documented and doesn't need any further comment. However, you may want to compare resale value's and number of antique rice rockets on the road...

To Chris. I am sorry you find the MG's poorly designed.

The rest of the motorcycle manufactures aren't copying Harley's engineering design, rather style.
Believe me I worked next door to a Harley rental shop in Florida, the owner wished the Harley's had the Jap bike engineering but retained the carisma of an HD. He always loved having a renter take off down the road and call him 10 minutes later broke down. He used all new bikes.
Believe me I have worked on plenty of bikes, and the Harley's are easiest to work on, but it's because ya have to do it frequently. Sorry I can't justify $15000 for a HD when I can get an engineering marvel BMW for the same money.
These are my opinions and we all have one.

For me, I like my jap bike, canadian truck, and my LBC.

86 Shadow, clean garage floor
93 Ranger, clean driveway
72 B-in pieces.

As for the HD/Jap debate, if it's gto 2 wheels and you feel good on it, ride the hell out of it, and pay no mind to the closed minds of others.

Tim

I've had HDs & Suzukis, and still have a 1961 BSA A-10 Super Rocket I bought new, but have had pickled and put away in the basement since 1980. My current ride is a 1994 BMW R100R and I love that machine. I've ridden more this year than I did in the prevous three. The only bikeI can say that I realized I didn't really like after I sold it was my '92 Suzuki Intruder 800. I won't get into why here. I'm still building my home pages and they will all be there soon. I added three pages last weekend and the bikes are next.