/ Register

  1. This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.

Suzuki Across - I'd love some advice here on quietening it!

Discussion in 'Suzuki 250cc In-line 4's' started by twowheeledbike, Mar 26, 2012.

Page 1 of 2
  1. twowheeledbike

    twowheeledbike Active Member

    Messages:
    19
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    165
    Joined:
    Mar 26, 2012
    Hi, as the title says I'm trying to find out how to shut up my bike. I really don't care about power or having a 'fully sick' farting noisebox, I'm just after a nice quiet commuter.

    I just bought the bike and it's great, except for this stupid muffler. It's a big no-name chrome straight-through thing that wakes the entire neighbourhood every time I start and ride it. How can I make it quiet? I'd love any suggestions.

    As I said, I couldn't care less about loosing any power as I never go over about 8000 revs anyway  ::)  (if that  :-[)

    Perhaps someone has an old original muffler lying around somewhere that they don't need? I'd happily pay for postage to take it off someone's hands? After all, everyone on here seems to be ditching theirs for a noisy one anyway.

    Thanks in advance for any tips!
     
    twowheeledbike, Mar 26, 2012
    #1
  2. kiffsta

    kiffsta Senior Member

    Messages:
    9,066
    Likes Received:
    6,872
    Trophy Points:
    1,168
    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2010
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Brisbane
    Hey twowheeledbike

    Welcome to the forum, I know what you mean about some bikes being a tad loud. Lets us know where you are located and post up a pic of your bike / exhaus, might help finding someone willing to swap/ buy / give you an exhaust.

    There are plenty of across owners on here, hopefully someone can help out

    Cheers

    Chris
     
    kiffsta, Mar 26, 2012
    #2
  3. twowheeledbike

    twowheeledbike Active Member

    Messages:
    19
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    165
    Joined:
    Mar 26, 2012
    Cheers Chris. I'm over in Newcastle, and I don't think I've seen any other Acrosses over here unfortunately.

    Is it possible for me to use any ~250cc stock muffler (if I can manage to fit it obviously)?

    I'm really hoping someone has kept their old stock muffler "for a rainy day" and would be happy to give it away to a good home...

    I've been looking around online and I've come across many references to "re-packing" mufflers, but to be honest I can't see how that would help a straight-through muffler?

    The exhaust that's currently on it is a "slip-on" I think. I'm assuming that I'd have to have a stock one re-welded on use a patch-pipe to join it back on? Also, how quiet are the stock mufflers? Does anyone have any videos of completely original exhausts? (I'm guessing that's not a common request!)  ;D

    EDIT: Oh, yes. I'll upload a video tomorrow (or just pictures, I'll have to see what my camera feels like tomorrow).
     
    twowheeledbike, Mar 26, 2012
    #3
  4. kiffsta

    kiffsta Senior Member

    Messages:
    9,066
    Likes Received:
    6,872
    Trophy Points:
    1,168
    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2010
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Brisbane
    the Across muffler is a 1 piece system including the headers, when people fit an aftermarket system, they generally cut the can off of the header pipe and slip on a new one.  I know we have  a few owners on here who might want a aftermarket exhaust, so opefully someone see's this thread. I know of no other exhaust that fits the bike.

    You can repack a muffler to quiet it down, this can be easily achieved by using steel wool being shoved up the can.

    Here is a video of a stock Across, you wil have to fast forward to end to hear it running.

    http://youtu.be/qDcbwIPaJi8
     
    kiffsta, Mar 27, 2012
    #4
  5. twowheeledbike

    twowheeledbike Active Member

    Messages:
    19
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    165
    Joined:
    Mar 26, 2012
    Alright, a little extra information. The muffler I have on it has a plate on the bottom that reads "Magnum Exhaust for Suzuki 250" with "Across GSX250 93db at 2800rpm" stamped on it and it also has a sticker on the top that says "Formula One".

    What is the stainless steel method of muffling it that you are talking of, Chris? Wouldn't that just shoot out the back and burn something?  :laugh:
     
    twowheeledbike, Mar 27, 2012
    #5
  6. kiffsta

    kiffsta Senior Member

    Messages:
    9,066
    Likes Received:
    6,872
    Trophy Points:
    1,168
    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2010
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Brisbane
    is this the one ?

    [​IMG]

    the steel wool really is a temp measure, it will quieten down the bike but yes it will blow out eventually.

    Chris
     
    kiffsta, Mar 27, 2012
    #6
  7. twowheeledbike

    twowheeledbike Active Member

    Messages:
    19
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    165
    Joined:
    Mar 26, 2012
    Wouldn't it blow out immediately? How do you get it to stay? How much would you use, too?

    I'm not too sure about that muffler I can't see it very well in that picture. I can't seem to find another one like it online, either.

    I'll post a pic as soon I find my camera.
     
    twowheeledbike, Mar 27, 2012
    #7
  8. twowheeledbike

    twowheeledbike Active Member

    Messages:
    19
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    165
    Joined:
    Mar 26, 2012
    I had the RPM wrong. It was 93db at 5800. Not that it matters, it's always loud.

    Here are some pictures.

    Never mind, the forum keeps sending me to a blank page everytime I try to post pictures. It does look similar to the one in that photo, but not the tip. Have you got any other photos of that one?

    Cheers!
     
    twowheeledbike, Mar 27, 2012
    #8
  9. Desmo

    Desmo Member Premium Member

    Messages:
    131
    Likes Received:
    6
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2011
    Location:
    West Sydney NSW
    Home Page:
    Hey! yeah i had the same issue, with a straight through slip on.

    When he says repack it with wool generally you take the end cap off and pack the material around the outside. It won't do anything unless the stuff already in there has crumbled out. I also tried to put a baffle in the end, but it just changes the tone. It's still loud as all hell so i too went back to stock (thankfully i had a spare full exhaust), which is indeed super quiet!

    Can't help on getting a stock muffler though, I'd probably just see if you can buy the entire exhaust from a wreckers or ask one of the ebay sellers thats parting a bike, there's generally a few a month on there :)

    If you do find a stock one though any chance i could buy the pipe that joins the muffler to the headers? (the bent piece) I've been looking for a polished one for an absolute eternity and never have come across one :( !!
     
    Desmo, Mar 28, 2012
    #9
  10. twowheeledbike

    twowheeledbike Active Member

    Messages:
    19
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    165
    Joined:
    Mar 26, 2012
    Could I perhaps somehow make baffles in the muffler I've got (and shove steel wool in between them  :laugh:)?

    I really don't actually care about performance losses to be honest (I must be nuts, I'm forever wanting more from the car!), so I don't care if anything causes power loss as long as it doesn't cause damage to the actual engine.

    Any tips? I was thinking about opening it up and sticking some big washers in it or something?  :p I probably shouldn't though (or should i?).  ;D
     
    twowheeledbike, Mar 28, 2012
    #10
  11. Desmo

    Desmo Member Premium Member

    Messages:
    131
    Likes Received:
    6
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2011
    Location:
    West Sydney NSW
    Home Page:
    Desmo, Mar 29, 2012
    #11
  12. twowheeledbike

    twowheeledbike Active Member

    Messages:
    19
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    165
    Joined:
    Mar 26, 2012
    Yes, I've been thinking about one of those but you found it wasn't very quietening? It just lowered the tone?

    I guess that's better than nothing but it's still too loud. Hmm, I've got a rego inspection tomorrow so I hope it passes. Is it true I can take a bike to any normal car pink-slip inspector if in NSW?
     
    twowheeledbike, Mar 29, 2012
    #12
  13. twowheeledbike

    twowheeledbike Active Member

    Messages:
    19
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    165
    Joined:
    Mar 26, 2012
    twowheeledbike, Mar 29, 2012
    #13
  14. Artemis

    Artemis Well-Known Member Premium Member

    Messages:
    216
    Likes Received:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    203
    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2011
    Artemis, Apr 2, 2012
    #14
  15. twowheeledbike

    twowheeledbike Active Member

    Messages:
    19
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    165
    Joined:
    Mar 26, 2012
    Thanks for that link, Artemis. I almost did buy that but about half an hour before it ended I found a full exhaust system at a local wrecker for $100. Cheers for your original suggestion about the wrecker, Chris.

    It sounds like a sewing machine now! A big, rattly and quick sewing machine yet a sewing machine nonetheless.

    A few of those header bolts are a pain.
     
    twowheeledbike, Apr 3, 2012
    #15
  16. philjo83

    philjo83 Active Member

    Messages:
    42
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    178
    Joined:
    Jun 10, 2011
    Location:
    australia
    Sorry twowheeledbike I didn't see this post earlier I could have given you a stock exhaust off a across as I have a parts bike with one on it. Oh btw im in Newcastle aswell we should catch up some time and go for a ride
     
    philjo83, Apr 23, 2012
    #16
  17. andrew

    andrew Well-Known Member Premium Member Contributing Member

    Messages:
    200
    Likes Received:
    87
    Trophy Points:
    253
    Joined:
    Mar 19, 2013
    Location:
    narellan vale nsw
    My Bike:
    suzuki across 96
    I have the same exhaust as you. mine is so loud its irritating. i think mine might be on its way out though as i can hear slight rattling when i gave it a little tappa tappa.
    Seeing as i might be in the market for a new muffler does anyone here have any suggestions on what muffler to get.
    i have a 96 across, not sure what mods have been done to the engine (second hand bike obviously). id be looking for something cheap and a bit quieter.
    or the other alternative could be repair the one i already have.

    any advice would be greatly appreciated
     
    andrew, May 16, 2013
    #17
  18. GreyImport

    GreyImport Administrator Staff Member The Chief Contributing Member

    Messages:
    10,929
    Likes Received:
    6,713
    Trophy Points:
    1,168
    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2012
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Between a Rock and a Hard Place
    Location:
    North by NW NSW Oztralia - Tamworth
    My Bike:
    *Kawasaki ZXR250C *Yamaha FZR250R 3LN1 *Yamaha FZR400 *Triumph Bonneville 750 T140V *Triumph Daytona 675 *Triumph Tiger 800XC
    The baffle/baffles in the muffler have probably come loose,cracked or rusted out....which is why it would be "loud" and might be affecting your engine performance as well.

    Chris has owned 101 Acrosses so will probably advise the best way to go....he's probaly got 5 spare mufflers in his wardrobe

    :D
     
    • Like Like x 1
    GreyImport, May 16, 2013
    #18
  19. kiffsta

    kiffsta Senior Member

    Messages:
    9,066
    Likes Received:
    6,872
    Trophy Points:
    1,168
    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2010
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Brisbane
    The Across has triflow muffler, ie the gases come out the header into the exhaust can, then do a 180degree run back towards the headers then another 180 degree turn and out the pipe, this is done to "muffle" the sound and to provide some back pressure to the engine. Almost all of the slip on's are straight through hence why they are louder. They still have a packing in them, but are louder because its a straight through pipe, I dont know anyone who makes an aftermarket triflow pipe for the Across. I have a factory exhaust here if that helps, but Im in Brisbane, Maybe put an add on Gumtree in Sydney asking for a stock exhaust, Im sure someone will have one lying around for cheap
     
    kiffsta, May 16, 2013
    #19
  20. andrew

    andrew Well-Known Member Premium Member Contributing Member

    Messages:
    200
    Likes Received:
    87
    Trophy Points:
    253
    Joined:
    Mar 19, 2013
    Location:
    narellan vale nsw
    My Bike:
    suzuki across 96
    thanks guys. im assuming Kiffsta you are chris?
    so when you say loud do you mean sounds like im about to blow the motor lol or do you mean a bit louder than stock. also is there a way you can tell for sure that the muffler is giving up? i might pull it apart once ive got the funds to get another (just incase it dont go back together lol)
    and see if steal wool helps.
    theres a good wreckers close to my house so i might be able to pick a stock one up or buy new from suzuki ($1015)
     
    andrew, May 16, 2013
    #20
Page 1 of 2

Share This Page