Chop my Honda Rebel 250 muffler?

[pirataye]

I have a 250 honda rebel, I want to make it louder but dont want to cut off my muffler. Is there an alternative way to do this?

[AllanB]

Depending on how the pipe is constructed you could give it a bafflectomy - using a holesaw cut around the small outlet break the internal welds holding it in and pull it out. Ideally you them want to clean up the end so it does not look butchered. Do a Google for Bafflectomy and you'll see what I mean - I did one on my stock pipes and made a clean set of outlets to tidy it up.

Depending on the pipe you may also be able to drill out the end plate rivets and remove the end plate allowing you to molest the last chamber and rivet the end plate back on.

Despite what all your mates tell you do not drill half a dozen 12 mm holes around the existing outlet - it will just sound like a pack of gay guys farting after a orgy.

Or cut off the muffler and bolt on a aftermarket one ........

Is the header/muffler a one piece unit - ie the stock muffler is not bolted on under a cover at the end of the header?

[AllanB]

Also post where you live as several people can do professional muffler alterations - Cycleworks in Welly for example could modify your stock pipe, and I know of a chap in CHCH who will look at it.

[Paul in NZ]

Seriously - we were all young once and did that stuff but looking back the answer is please dont. It will sound bloody awful.

Tell yer what - unbolt the bloody things and see what it sounds like? That way you can reverse it... Prob two flat farts in a tin jar...

Best option of course is to find a couple of dinged up used ones and modify them first ;-)

[SMOKEU]

I'm keen to make the exhaust on my CBR a bit noisier, but the exhaust is a 1 piece system so it's going to be a bit cunty to do properly.

[schrodingers cat]

Sprinkle water on it and speak to it in encouraging terms. Let nature take its course and one day you'll go out to your garage and find a nice big engine lurking. It will sounds wonderful.

If you can't wait that long then loosen the tappets - you'll get lots of lovely noise

Or fit spokie doakies (trust me, you can't look any more foolish than now) :innocent:

[brett7777]

Actually rebels sound really good with slashcuts or shorties on them, you will need to cut the pipes tho, & source the muffers & reducer adapters, from the US or locally from Cycletreads.
I added extra baffles too, ones for harley dragpipes.
The Rebel fanatics in the states do this as a very common mod.
Here's the ones that I put on the Rebel Bobber 450's I did:
227036227037

[brett7777]

On 250's they cut them further forward, just in front of the upwards bend, instead of behind it like I did on the 450's.
If you don't add in an extra baffle, (for added back pressure) it might be best to rejet the carbs, to prevent lean running of the motor.
The guys in the US found the older 250's didnt need rejetting, but the 90's ones onwards apparently do, if you leave the mufflers as they are.
You can't unbolt rebel mufflers; you are stuck with chopping them. And drilling out the baffles in the stock mufflers doesn't make them sound much better.
You need the reducer adapters because the rebel pipes are not a standard size(just a tad over 1 1/2", about 40mm).

[Brian d marge]

Americans are good for a lot of things , but I wouldn't trust em on motorbikes

If you are really really desperate , a bafflectomy , and make your own one up to allow a freer flow but with some sound absorption

look at repacking a motocross exhaust for an example

or ...and upon deaf ears I cast myself , leave it alone

Stephen

[brett7777]

Rebel mufflers are pretty much impossible to do a bafflectomy on. That's why Rebel fanatics in the US found alternatives. And they are extremely quiet left stock. With the slip ons, they already have a fibreglass packed perforated tube in them, & so dont even sound obnoxious as is, in fact, they sound good. I added drag pipe baffles to ensure some extra back pressure, & it gave a more deeper sound than the slip ons already had given it. No loss of performance, in fact, it seems to have improved it (but I dont have proof of this so wouldn't promote that as part of the mod). I think we are all aware tho, that bikes like rebels that are designated for the US market are somewhat 'over restricted' from the factory.
Although you dont have a high opinion of Americans with motorcycles, with Rebels the guys who are into them have developed systems of maintaining & improving them that are down to a fine art, & are aimed to allow an owner with basic skills & tools to never have to visit the Honda mechanic (you can get all the tips to DIY).
So if someone wants a bike where there is a wealth of mechanical info & advice, the Rebels are a good choice.
Interestingly, in the US the 450's are becoming collectable. Mint 450's can command quite a good price.
The 250's were made virtually identical from '85 to '09. (Some cosmetic changes after the 85-86 models). That's a long run!