i disagree that straight-through mufflers on big thumpers are anti-social.

If anything, i believe they are an essential safety feature.

Commuting on my thumper, if anything, i don't scare motorists because they can hear me coming, i don't silently appear out of nowhere.

I have had almost no issues with motorists cutting me off when driving behind them in a low visibility area.

(The high visibility jacket and high-beams might help too :thumbup1:)

I think there's something about the noise of a big thumper with a straight through pipe that sub-conciously demands much more respect and space on the road, than say, a silent two-stroke scooter.

Anyway, at least we don't use Harley straight through "drag" pipes that are 20 times louder than a thumper and definitely mucho more anti-social.

I did a Christmas toy-run ride-out last year, and spent a lot of time riding next to a Harley on drag pipes. Much as I like a nice fruity pipe, this was awful. It was a hard-edged hammering sound that quickly got unbearable. If you've ever fired up a bike with no exhaust headers on (just to test it, like) you will know the sound. The trick with an exhaust is to get it loud and yet mellow. Reverse-cone meggas used to do this on Brit singles and twins. Haven't seen any for sale for years, though.

Glad I spotted this thread!
I was on my way to the gaeage to fiddle with my '03 XT. A previous owner removed the baffles from the stock 'pipe and I fitted a K&N filter. Was followed all around Spain and Morroco by an irritating burble and pop on closing the throttle. Just been saved hours of messing.

Dan :clap:

Turning the mixtures screw IN makes the mixture RICHER? Not the other way around?:confused1:

I thought the carburetors sucked gas out of the “mixture” hole so more open equaled richer..( opposed to the air-screws in simpler carbs, like 2-strokes)..

Its a CO/fuelscrew, therefor:

Screw out = more gas (richer)
Screw in = more air (leaner)

If it was an air screw, like on a typical two stroke, for instance your're moped, its the other way around, cause then its a airscrew.

Fuelscrews are often in the front side of the carn, airscrews on the back (typicalle behind the idle/rpm screw)

When I bought the Arrow pipe for my 99 XT600E I was told there was no re-jetting required, I bought the bike used and recently when I had the carbs apart for cleaning I noticed the Pilot screw was set at 1-3/4 turns out from seated.