some have it, others don't - a bar between the exhausts...?

[AgingHippy]

Hello all

In my hunt for a bike so I can become one of the chosen has resulted in the deamy examination of plenty of photos.

I have noticed that many sporties have a pipe running parrallel to the ground from one exhaust to the other near the cylinder heads, wheras many other bikes do not have this pipe.

My question is what is this pipe for? Does it dampen some rattling or what? I think the bikes without the bar look better...

Thanks

[Kiwi]

the balance pipe helps reduce noise and is claimed to increase mid range power slightly

[AgingHippy]

Thanks Kiwi

So does the balance pipe then join the flow of the two exhausts?

I cannot imagine how else power might be increased if it is simply to stabalise the pipes...

Thanks for having patience with this newbie

Cheers

[Hobbit]

all sportsters have the balance pipe its just that on the 2004 and up its hidden and is used as the exhaust support, it helps in exhaust scavaging so in reality the exhaust is almost a 2-1 system

[MarlboroMan]

ive had both set up's and to be honest never found any diference, i currently have a slash cut single tubes (noting joining) all works fine

[grumpy]

The balance pipe is fitted to 2003 and earlier Sportsters.

[Folkie]

Originally Posted by grumpy

The balance pipe is fitted to 2003 and earlier Sportsters.

And, like Hobbit says, to rubbermounts too. Not sure how much the rubbermount crossover pipe helps with scavenging. I've heard it argued that it's too small bore and too far from the exhaust ports to have much effect on that. It supposedly helps keep exhaust noise level down in order to meet regs.

[HOG maniac]

Newer noticed any lack of performance when I lost mine off my 04.

[Folkie]

Originally Posted by HOG maniac

Newer noticed any lack of performance when I lost mine off my 04.

Ah, but what did you replace your exhausts with? You could only tell whether the crossover contributed to performance if you blocked up the crossover ports on the mufflers and kept everything else the same. Or is that what you did?

[panheadpete]

The first use of balance pipes that I can remember was on the 1966 Triumph Daytona, developed by Doug Hele; ironically the bike that knocked H-D off the road-racing podium. The purpose was to give each cylinder the ability to exhaust into two pipes, originally for performance but latterly used for noise control, ie it gives the effect of an exhaust twice the size. The location of the balance pipe isn't too relevant, Guzzi and BMW fitted theirs under the engine.
Cheers, Pete.