Gettin' More Sound Out Of the Stock GT1000's Pipes.

[DUCeditor]

After vacillating for over a year between keeping the overly quiet stock exhaust system or installing an overly loud (to me) set of Termis on my GT I decided to see what I could do to modify the originals so as to get bit more sound out of them. What I did was simple but amazingly effective. In fact I'm more than a bit surprised by how well it worked.

Understanding that the stock cans consist of a series of chambers I drilled two holes in the rear of each can, one above, one below the exhaust outlet. The holes went through the chrome cover and then through the rearmost chamber which is about 1 1/2 inches further in.

I first created a starter hole with a 5/32" bit and then progressively enlarged it to 5/16th.

I started with one hole and moved ahead progressively after listening to the effect on the bike's voice. Each added hole, and the enlargement thereof, increased the sound level and slightly changed the timbre. Two 5/16 holes in each system created just the sound level I was looking for.

Following the drilling of the baffles I took two additional steps for the sake of appearance: First I smoothed out the holes with a Dremmel tool, then I painted the entire recessed area in the end of the exhaust canister with flat black wood stove paint. This gives the appearance of a single large outlet instead of the small appearing aperture in the stock pipe.

Of course the key question is: How does it sound?

In a few words: Very unique and very good.

The prime difference, apart from the added volume level, is the inclusion of “bark” and added complexity to the exhaust note. If I had to compare the overall sound of the bike at idle to something it’d be a `50s era open-motored V8 hot rod. Very busy, complex, and mechanical. Underway, from the rider's seat, however, it's pure Ducati, with an especially nice growl on over run.

I’m at work now. I can’t wait to get home and start ‘er up. But it will be especially hard not to take her out for a ride if I do. Fun. Fun. Fun!

Cost? Zilch. Except for a couple of dollops of paint which I already had on hand.

Pix will follow.

-don

[jonniedee]

Yes pics please - a sound clip would be nice too!

[egrafx2006]

Don,

That was a bold move. What if drilling those holes didn't work out - would it have been Staintunes or Termis???

[DUCeditor]

Originally Posted by egrafx2006

Don,

That was a bold move. What if drilling those holes didn't work out - would it have been Staintunes or Termis???

Perhaps, but since I planned on doing the job step by step I figured going back and sealing the at-first very small holes would be relatively easy. A spot of weld. A metal ring. Anything would do. And since I wanted to paint the area flat black regardless I was really being less bold than you might imagine. Besides... "Nothing ventured, nothing gained." Eh?

Now I've got to say something else... If any of you kind readers looked heavenward when you read my description of the sound and muttered "Bull Sh_t!!!" I won't blame you a bit. Even to me what I wrote (though an honest appraisal of my thoughts yesterday afternoon) seemed like it had to be over the top. But as I said I would, my first activity upon getting home was to open the bike shed and let her rip. Folks this was no BS nor was it hyperbole. And what I did can be duplicated by anyone of you. The steps are there and they are simple. (Just make sure you have a powerful, preferably variable speed, drill and good quality bits)

In a word: WOW!

OK, is this "as good" as a set of Termis? No. Termis add power and lower weight. My alteration just enhances (!) the sound. But it does sound great without being "too" loud. (It is louder than I originally expected it to be, but oh, so nice!) And it cost next to nothing. That's cool!

Pics will follow as soon as I have hardened the 2nd coat of woodstove paint (which requires heat) and then buffed the transition between the chrome and the paint line so that it (hopefully) fades in.

A sound file would be nice. I have a digital recorder and a couple of large diaphram mikes in my studio so this is possible. But ideally I'd need an assistant so I could do a run by a various speeds. Too, without good speakers and a sub the real power of the sound won't be there. I also have a sound level meter, btw, so if someone could provide me with detail of the standard measuring procedure I could also (again, if I had an assistant to help me) provide a db level.

Cheers all!

-don (An extra happy camper)

[OldSkoolCool]

see, i did it on my v-star once and i will never do it again. i just hated the sound..after i got open pipes it was much more twin sounding.

[Jeff_Quan]

Originally Posted by DUCeditor

...so if someone could provide me with detail of the standard measuring procedure I could also (again, if I had an assistant to help me) provide a db level...

Don, I measured sound at 1 meter (~1 yard) straight out sideways (perpendicular) from the exit of the exhaust. This is an industrial standard. My Termi's without baffles clocked in at 105 dB at 4500 rpm in neutral.

[weazoe]

Great work Don,
Please try to post a sound file. This is exactly what I had planned on trying with my GT this winter.
Cant wait to hear it,
Weaz

[bavarian3]

Awaiting the fotos...

and sample clip.

[seriousjimmy]

DUCeditor:

Nice to hear about this mod as I too think the 'uncapped' Termis are a bit loud, not to mention 1400$ installed.
Do these 'extra exhaust outlets' make any difference in the way your bike runs?
Aware of any warranty issues here?

Ride safe!!!

SJ

[elementfmfl]

+1 on the pics