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TechJD, it all depends on how much are you willing to spend. There are several aftermarket companys that make a 2-1 for the ace. Vance & Hines beng the first that comes to mind. There is also a company called Roadhouse that makes a good 2-1. Neither will give you the stock sound you want though. KCRoadrocket had the Roadhouse but opted to install the T exhaust in his quest for a custom cycle. He just liked th balanced look of the exhaust on both sides (how juvenile is that). Where as I had a more sensible and practicle reason to do so. Pretty much the same as yours, larger saddle bags not encumbered by the exhaust and a very tall wife with bad knees. You should check out KC or Bud as we so affectionatly call him (plus some choice names all having to do with his head) has done to his bike, it is quite the work of art even though he sold it, shame, shame, shame...
The two into one is beneficial in that the exhaust signal from the previous cylinder helps to create a vacuum that draws the next pulse down the tube behind it. It can lend it's self to better fuel economy but usually has the opposite effect in that you have better throttle response and thus more horse power on tap ergo twistythrottleitis occurs as the gofast bug bites negating any positive benefit. Your fuel milage numbers, if correct for two-up riding, is excellent in it's own right. I get just slightly more than that solo.
As to the K&N air filter. I believe that the more air you can get in the better, that is why race car drivers and pilots use superchargers and turbochargers. More air+more fuel+more efficiency. This of course is a way overly simplified explanation. You must also take into account the inherent efficiency of the engine to process it, in other words, when was the last time you did, or had done, a tune-up on your bike?

And in conclusion. Most of the bikes you find out there any more are all goin to have the same problem when you hang both pipes on one side you limit the size of the bags you can hang (OK ,watch it gang this is a family site, be nice) with out melting them.

Joel

A tuneup, oil change and carb adjust should help out. If it sat awhile then I would flush all fluids and check all the bearings. a bearing can freeze-up at the most inopportune time (like rolling 70mph down the Interstate). While you're at it break the tires down and check for dry rot of the tires and tubes if they are spoked wheels, a tire coming apart is a bad thing at speed. Check all the cables for free play, no binding, that could be bad as well. One thing most people forge id the differential, how did the fluid level look. Change it any way.

Did you check out Bud's bike? MIne is like his but not.

Joel

kcroadrocket wrote:

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after all the kind words from my forum brother joel, think i'll post you some pics myself...afraid what he might post or tell you where to go....to find pics!

Bud, I am deeply hurt... I have have had nothing but kind, loving words of praise for you. By the way how's the head healing?

JD, if you look at my sig you can see that I had the same problem that you are having. Have you looked into te V&H pipes yet? Try this site, it's not a bad price on those pipes.
http://www.shopwiki.com/search/Vance+&+HinesInto-1+Pro+Pipe+HS+-+(Honda+VT1100+Shadow+Sabre+2000)

Joel

TechJD, what kind of fuel milage are you trying to get? So far what you have said as far as your MPG is on the high side for these bikes, especially for 2 up riding. I have stated that the 2-1 is good for performance as well as the K&N filter. Your gains in the MPG area are subject to personal driving habits. There is no doubt that those two upgrades will effect your you MPG in the positive but how much over what you are getting now is hard to say.

Joel

Check out this thread, http://hondashadowacetourer.yuku.com/topic/9169
I have gotten as high as 48 almost 49 MPG. The MPG is all over the board though, mid to upper 40's. It all depends on different factors. I have the factory T exhaust but I will be trying others out in the near future. Some of those factors include weather, where I bought the fuel, driving conditions and the amount of bugs that I have allowed to congregate on my windshield. Try the K&N filter first then keep a journal of your fuel mileage, weather conditions and so on that should help to give you a good baseline. Then, if you like, put on a good exhaust. If you are looking for drastic changes in you fuel economy, I don't think you are likely to find it. You will get some improvement but the cost:savings ratio is going to be rather low and your ROI will take a long time. My suggestion to you is, you're getting 10, 15 even 20 MPG more than your average cager, enjoy it. If you don't think that you will get a drastic increase in your MPG, don't change a thing. Just keep your bike in good running condition, check your tire pressure on regular basis (with a GOOD gauge, not a cheep AZ one) and just enjoy the heck out of your bike. Oh yeah, be safe...

Joel