Hi all I just got my first harely a Fat Boy 2011 model, 2 months ago recently I got a excessive noise letter in the mail (a complaint made by some one to the RTA I guess) and was told I needed to have my fatboy checked for noise levels, I was told it failed and I need to have different mufflers put on. Looking at the bike I have S and S muffler slip ons I didnt even know that this could be not legal (right word?), the place I got my bike (Robbo's in Canberra) has my original stock mufflers (they are hanging on to them for me for space reasons) I wanted to know what I can do about this? When I put the original stocl mufflers back on will that be street legal? As the RTA In dickson had me rev my bike to 2600  RPM (even in 5th gear going at 100 km/hoour I get up to only 1700 rpms) so the bike was REALLY loud at those revs >< what annoys me Ive never reved like that or least I dont think I have )

 

SO will the stock muifflers pass the RTA noise test? the limit is 94 Decibels I think but they didnt tell me how much over I was.

 

Additionally the handle bars are also illegal apparently (again they came with the bike I didnt ask for any mods just bought the one they had) and the limit is 900 but mine are 940 anyone have any suggestions on what I can do for alternate bars? Im a big lad and neeed big bars.

 

Lastly (and please forgive my newbie questions) is it right that any joe public can complain about my bike and I can get constantly dragged into the RTA for a noise test? and if the S and S mufflers are not street legal why do they sell them? Can some one tell me if the screaming eagle mufflers from HD are street legal in Australia? (Canberra, ACT).

 

Thank you for any help

if the member of the public is complaining about the noise, I would get those pipes from Robbos

maybe you can lower the bars back towards yourself the 40mm

S & S slip-on will probably have "not for road use", this will give you some answers

S&S mufflers are very loud and not legal

 Hey Hilly I will look into the Burleigh Bars and the standard fatboy bars steamer thanks all I appreciate the responses. The place where I got the bike are going to swap the bars around for free once I pick a set that is .

Yep I am having the original mufflers put back and the bars changed then I will go over the pit, hope it all passes this time.

 

Cheers all.

This noise thing is a tricky one. I have V & H slip ons on my 08 Fatboy and they are way above legal in terms of loudness. Having said that, I tap off in residential areas, especially my own neighbourhood, and have been complaint free in Sydney for 3 years.

I know the c*unts can stop me at any time and defect the bike - exhaust, number plate, bars, rego sticker in wrong place, smoked indicators, braided lines etc, but my tactic above has saved me so far.

 

 

 

 Hey Dereck, I was not "taping off the throttle" as much as I should I was not aware I guess of how far/loud the harley noise would travel but I will definitely try to keep the noise to minimum in my own suburb/etc. Do you have any specific technique that helps you with that or just keep the RPMS to a absolute minimum?

Yeah mate, keep the revs down, dont use the engine to brake ie pop and snort on deceleration, just haul the clutch in and apply brakes etc.

What is music to our ears may be a major irritation to others.

 

I went the other way. About 12 years ago I got a jap note (Unkown author or address) in my letter box. It stated that I and my bikie mates should put on mufflers on our motorbikes as they are too loud! Of course it was unsigned. Now at this time I had a rather worked 74 shovel head with an S&S 96 cu motor with 12 to 1 compression, Andrews C grind cam with 2 inch shotgun exhaust, & primo 3'' open primary belt drive. The whole bike was a full rebuilt from front wheel to back and all points in between, it cost me over 20G to get it to this stage, so you can understand me, when I tell you I near blew a gasket when reading this note. Especially as the bike was still being tuned & fiddled with from new. I waited that night until, midnight, walked into my Garage opened up the door, fired up the shovel and gave it a fist full revving the motor so it shacked & vibrated the garage to it's foundations and the windows were also vibrating with the risk that they might shatter at any moment. I kept this up for 3 to 5. minutes, then shut her down. went back inside and watched some TV for another 55 min then repeated the same thing every hour over the next four hours! On my third time, around 3am I walked out of the Garage & screamed out: To the Cock sucking coward who reckons my bike is too noisy, is it quiet enough for you now, you fucking wanker? What is amazing is that the cops never turned up & not one person in the street or cul-de-sac said a word or complained. Of course the cops know me, & so do all the neighbours. And the beauty of it all, my bike wasn't even registered yet so they could do fuck all! That is all!

While we are on this subject, it reminded me of another story you guys might enjoy. Two day after this incident, the bike was all set for rego, so around 9pm when the roads were virtually quiet with traffic, I fired up Brutus & with the Mrs in tow in the Mitsubishi van just in case I broke down we were off. went from Loganlea to Beenleigh the back way, then head back home along the Brisbane Hwy, turned off onto the Ipswich toll way then again turned onto the Loganlea Slackscreek turnoff. As I came to a roundabout turning left into station road I came up behind a car turning right into station road heading toward slackscreek. They stopped in the middle of the road & made a quick U turn, as I signalled the Mrs to keep going as I knew it was the cops as they flashed me with their headlight! Dam! Fucking busted! Two detectives got out of the unmarked car & walked over to me & asked me to turn off the motorcycle. I asked: Are you guys going to give me a push start if I do, as this is a bitch to kick start when hot? Sure they replied. so I killed the lumpy engine and got off the bike. The fat little detective with old fashion brasses & no jacket asked. Licence & Rego. I gave him my license & explained that I was test riding it for rego tomorrow, They stood around admiring the Chrome & gold plating on the nuts, screws, etc. I asked why they pulled me over, & fatso with the brasses, answered checking to see if it was stolen. I took it the wrong way as I spate out: Do I look like a fucking bike thief? The bald little fat turd, quite calmly answered simply: "As a matter of fact you do!" I was nearly going to spit the dummy, then had a good look at myself in my minds eye as I burst out laughing as I replied: Yer, you got me there, I really don't blame you I guess, as looks are deceiving! Meantime his mate returned a few minutes later & said he checks out, I heard the radio squawk something I didn't understand, but got both of their attention as they said" Okay see you!" as they made their way to the car, I pushed my luck as I yelled after them; What about that push start you guys promised? All I got in response is the finger by the fat little porker as he walked away as I responded: Oh that's fucking lovely!..... No tickets no drama etc! Love it! Bahahah ... Fat little fuck!

Nice story Crazy Erny, LOL  maybe we could turn it into a Childrens book , Just a thought.

The illustrations I can just picture now. The Fat Cop with the braces on etc.

In regards to this guys Bike, if his only had it for 2 months, surely it came with a road worthy and if thats the case the seller ought to be responsibe.

I'd go back to the dealer / seller tell them it's their issue if you haven't done any mods to it and it's how you bought it.

 Ha ha, I love your stories Crazy Erny, they certainly brought a smile to my face. I'd love to visit Loganlea again as my wife has family there.