Help with Fatcat Exhaust Note
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Help with Fatcat Exhaust Note - 5/19/2008 6:41:47 AM
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bigkahuna327
Posts: 28
Joined: 5/19/2008
Status: offline
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I'm new to the board and need a little assitance. I recently purchased a D & D Fatcat for my 02 injected Fatboy and once I got the system on my bike, I'm not that thrilled with the sound. My bike has the usual upgrades but nothing too serious besides a custom tune and the intake goodies, but previously I had a set of V & H Long Shots with Thunder Monster Baffles from Big City Thunder on the bike and absolutely loved the crisp/quick/responsive sound that those pipes. The only reason I switched pipes was because I loved the look of the Fatcat when compared to the Long Shots and after some initial reading, thought I could get the same sound out of this pipe. I've looked around the forum and have gotten confused about my options for baffles in these pipes and where to get them. I'm heard about performance baffles, and borzialla stock baffles and one will work for the other and now I"m really confused about what I have and what I need to get for my bike.
I'm just looking for something that would give this pipe a good low rumble at idle, but really wake up the neighborhood when I lay into it like my old pipes. Right now with the baffle that's in the bike, my softail sounds more like a v-rod than anything. Not holding anything against anybody, just not what I'm looking for.
Anyone got any suggestions about a baffle I could get from D & D or a custom outfit or of any tricks I can do to this pipe/baffle to really waken it up. It's a shame for this pipe too look that good and not have a bad ass bite to go with it.
Thanks for the help and I've enjoyed looking around!!!
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RE: Help with Fatcat Exhaust Note - 5/19/2008 7:21:51 AM
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PhilM
Posts: 4841
Joined: 2/24/2006
From: TX
Status: offline
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Welcome Steven!
I have been running FatCat's since they came out in 02. THey have a very distinct (racey) sound. They not designed for "sound", they are about performance.
That is a sweet looking Fatboy you've got there & I bet it looks even better with the FC installed.
If sound is all you are concerned with, the FatCat may not be for you. The Performance baffle will be louder, but is will not perform as well as a standard baffle for yuour configuration. The Quiet baffle is even quieter than the Standard. The performance (BigBore) baffle is actually a Boarzilla baffle with a short lenght of pipe welded to the end.
You've got a GREAT pipe... hope you can learn to love it.
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Hint for today (and tomorrow!): ALWAYS use components that COMPLEMENT one another!
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RE: Help with Fatcat Exhaust Note - 5/19/2008 7:35:54 AM
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atlasfields
Posts: 116
Joined: 11/1/2007
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Best suggestion I can give you is to call D&D direct. Tell them what you've got and what you'd like. They've been very helpful with the stupid questions I peppered them with.
I've got a 110" CVO and the FatCat 2-1 with the standard baffle and it makes mine sound like a big-block Chevy. Lots of torque and it comes on low in the power band. Hope this helps.
< Message edited by atlasfields -- 5/19/2008 12:35:40 PM >
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RE: Help with Fatcat Exhaust Note - 5/19/2008 10:39:10 AM
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ToBeFrank
Posts: 270
Joined: 4/11/2006
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I didn't like the sound of the fat cat when I first put it on my stock fat boy either. Then I cammed and then when to a big bore and WHOA, that definitely fixed the sound.
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RE: Help with Fatcat Exhaust Note - 5/19/2008 12:54:17 PM
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bigkahuna327
Posts: 28
Joined: 5/19/2008
Status: offline
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ToBeFrank: Big Bore Kit or Big Bore Baffle????
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RE: Help with Fatcat Exhaust Note - 5/19/2008 12:58:20 PM
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ToBeFrank
Posts: 270
Joined: 4/11/2006
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Big bore kit. I have the standard baffle.
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RE: Help with Fatcat Exhaust Note - 5/19/2008 2:54:21 PM
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roadchaser
Posts: 38
Joined: 2/6/2007
Status: offline
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I had a 2-1 standard baffle fatcat pipe on my 07 fatboy and hated the sound it produced.I sold it and bought a 2-1 thunderheader and i love the deep Harley rumble it produces.Good luck. I have 19,000 miles on this t-header 2-1 pipe and still looks almost new.Good luck.
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RE: Help with Fatcat Exhaust Note - 5/20/2008 3:51:21 AM
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Hillsidecyclecom
Posts: 244
Joined: 12/12/2007
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Noise? You want to make big noise?(Power be damned.) Get yourself a set of 1.750" drag pipes and cut them 10" long, at a 30* angle, and bolt 'em to the port and go. It'll even give you a raw flame at night.
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RE: Help with Fatcat Exhaust Note - 5/20/2008 10:58:04 AM
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bigkahuna327
Posts: 28
Joined: 5/19/2008
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I'm not just trying to make noise and not giving a crap about power. I have other power plans later in this bikes lift but I miss the bite my bike's exhaust used to have. I used to run a set of Vance & Hine's Long Shots with a Thunder Monster baffle in it and it had the most distinct sound I've ever heard out of a bike. It sounds like lightning crashing when you popped the throttle and had a really crisp hot rod bike sound to it. I really stood out from the crowd in the sound department but just run along with the heard of everyone else that had long shots/big shots/short shots on their bike. I love the big full look of the Fat Cat and have noticed the performance gains on this bike, but I also got the same of of my Longshots at well.
I'm looking to see what my options are cause I really want to keep this pipe cause it complements the bike so well, but want to be heard as well. It sounds more like I'm riding a V-Rod than a V Twin.
Anyone know anybody that will custom make me a single baffle???? Gotta be someone out there doing it.
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RE: Help with Fatcat Exhaust Note - 5/21/2008 7:23:46 PM
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FireRescueFL
Posts: 258
Joined: 6/20/2007
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I've had D&D on my last three bikes (an American Ironhorse 107", a V-Rod, and now the Street Glide). Of the three, I've been the least impressed with the sound on my FLHX. It does have the same qualities that my V-Rod had but just quite a bit deeper sounding. Not as loud as the other two either. However, the way it sounds when you're riding it and the way it sounds to people who hear you go past are two different sounds. Get someone to videotape you riding by and you'll see what I'm talking about. I think you'll be happy with what you hear. I'm really starting to enjoy the sound but I now that I'm used to it, I wish it was a little louder.
---Chris
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'08 Street Glide
Vivid Black, ABS, Cruise, Factory Security
D&D Fat Cat 2-into-1
Kuryakyn Hi-Five AC
SERT
Harley Davidson: Because you can't ride a boat to work.
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RE: Help with Fatcat Exhaust Note - 5/22/2008 5:52:57 AM
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bigkahuna327
Posts: 28
Joined: 5/19/2008
Status: offline
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Thanks to all that have offered up opinions and suggestions about the Fat Cat Sound. I've talked with D & D Exhaust and the guys at Big City Thunder and I'm getting a baffle made to work in the head pipe of the Fat Cat to see if it gives it more of Hot Rod sound without loosing any performance.
The plan is to use one of their patented Thunder Monsters in a small sleeve located between the baffle and head pipe on the Fat Cat to maximize the sound and performance without giving a really bad hum or vibration.
After working for 2 straight days to get the baffles out of the Fat Cat, I'm woing to rewrap the packing and compare the sound of the just the ThunderMonster and then with the ThunderMonster and Fat Cat Baffle. I'll let ya'll know what the results are.
One question though. After taking the baffle out of the Fat Cat, I decided to buzz it up the road for laughs to see what it would sound like. After about 4 miles of riding making the loop around town at around 55-60mph, I noticed a bad hum or slight vibration working it's way through the floorboards, seat, and highway pegs. Is this common on these pipes cause it make my feet feel like that were going asleep after about 10 minutes of riding. I'm hoping it's just a result of having no restriction in the pipes where the two exhaust streams mix and pulse because this pipe did not do this when the wadding and baffle were inside the pipe.
Any suggestions or thoughts????
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RE: Help with Fatcat Exhaust Note - 5/22/2008 6:01:55 AM
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FireRescueFL
Posts: 258
Joined: 6/20/2007
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Did you install the floorboard spacers? I didn't at first and the heat shield was rubbing up against the floorboard and causing a lot of vibration on the right side. Once I installed the spacers, the vibration went away.
---Chris
_____________________________
'08 Street Glide
Vivid Black, ABS, Cruise, Factory Security
D&D Fat Cat 2-into-1
Kuryakyn Hi-Five AC
SERT
Harley Davidson: Because you can't ride a boat to work.
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RE: Help with Fatcat Exhaust Note - 5/22/2008 6:09:00 AM
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bigkahuna327
Posts: 28
Joined: 5/19/2008
Status: offline
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I was not aware that I needed to install any. I bought the pipes off an individual on another board and he didn't mention anything about that. I have looked into those previously for a better riding position and would like to have some, but can't seem to pay 50 bucks for something like that when I could make them. I didn't pick up this vibration until after I took the baffle out and ran up the road with it out of the pipe.
Anybody know of any How-To Thread on making your own set of floorboard spacers/extentions???
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RE: Help with Fatcat Exhaust Note - 5/22/2008 6:50:52 AM
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FireRescueFL
Posts: 258
Joined: 6/20/2007
Status: offline
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When I get home tonight, I'll measure the outside diameter of the spacers. You should be able to get some steel pipe and make them yourself. The floorboards use a 3/8 Allen head bolt with course threads. One inch longer should do the trick.
Did you look to see if they are even touching? If there was no vibration before you changed the baffle, I'm inclined to think that spacers will not fix your problem. Also, my Fat Cat only came with spacers for the right floorboard, not a whole set so don't feel like you got scammed or anything.
---Chris
_____________________________
'08 Street Glide
Vivid Black, ABS, Cruise, Factory Security
D&D Fat Cat 2-into-1
Kuryakyn Hi-Five AC
SERT
Harley Davidson: Because you can't ride a boat to work.
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RE: Help with Fatcat Exhaust Note - 5/27/2008 5:30:46 AM
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bigkahuna327
Posts: 28
Joined: 5/19/2008
Status: offline
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After a week of riding this pipe and trying to learn to like the sound, I just can't take it anymore. I've tried all I can with baffles, wadding, and all the other tricks to get this pipe to sound more to my liking, but it just isn't going to happen. I'm heading back to my Long Shots.
Anyone interested in the pipe and all the stuff that comes with it? PM me if you're interested.
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