Decatted header question
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2017
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From: High Point, NC.
Decatted header question
So I did the HD torque cam when I bought my bike 2 years ago.
My memory is terrible but I think at some point I decatted my headers and also added the SE spark plug wires. I got the wires crossed up which led me to think my tune was off on the HD tuner. So I purchased a license for the PV tuner I already had and installed that with the canned map FM provided.
Bike runs pretty good but it runs SO hot. I mean to the point of being unbearable. I bought a laser temp gun to test it.
I'm wondering if decatted headers just don't flow as well as true aftermarket headers. Maybe someone else that decatted their headers has noticed their bike running hot as well.
My 17 had S&S cam and FM headers and didn't run hot at all.
Would like to determine if this is the issue, otherwise I'll probably be trying other remedies like an oil cooler fan and or new AC.
edit: fyi I don't think its my PV tune. I had FM check it a couple times when I had the spark plug issue and they said it looked fine.
My memory is terrible but I think at some point I decatted my headers and also added the SE spark plug wires. I got the wires crossed up which led me to think my tune was off on the HD tuner. So I purchased a license for the PV tuner I already had and installed that with the canned map FM provided.
Bike runs pretty good but it runs SO hot. I mean to the point of being unbearable. I bought a laser temp gun to test it.
I'm wondering if decatted headers just don't flow as well as true aftermarket headers. Maybe someone else that decatted their headers has noticed their bike running hot as well.
My 17 had S&S cam and FM headers and didn't run hot at all.
Would like to determine if this is the issue, otherwise I'll probably be trying other remedies like an oil cooler fan and or new AC.
edit: fyi I don't think its my PV tune. I had FM check it a couple times when I had the spark plug issue and they said it looked fine.
Last edited by teedoff65; May 17, 2022 at 12:29 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,535
Likes: 780
From: Manitoba
When I had a stage 2 done on my 17 Road King the Indy that the job decatted the factory headpipe. Very noticeably cooler running to the point that I wished I had some of the heat back for spring and fall riding. I have never ran an aftermarket header for comparison.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 804
Likes: 237
From: TN
First things first, did you get the plug wires straightened out? Second, the FM tune is just a starting point. You need to tune it or get it tuned. The stock header flows pretty good. Depending on your goal, do aftermarket pipes flow better yes, do decatted pipes work yes. I believe they will support115/125hp. I run a decatted pipe on the trike, definitely makes a difference. A lot depends on your combo of other parts. There is a shop that did a couple of 128 builds with a decatted stock pipe, and still got hp numbers in the mid 130’s. Read some of the cam testing threads, there is some valuable info in them.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,534
Likes: 3,938
From: Virginia
So I did the HD torque cam when I bought my bike 2 years ago.
My memory is terrible but I think at some point I decatted my headers and also added the SE spark plug wires. I got the wires crossed up which led me to think my tune was off on the HD tuner. So I purchased a license for the PV tuner I already had and installed that with the canned map FM provided.
Bike runs pretty good but it runs SO hot. I mean to the point of being unbearable. I bought a laser temp gun to test it.
I'm wondering if decatted headers just don't flow as well as true aftermarket headers. Maybe someone else that decatted their headers has noticed their bike running hot as well.
My 17 had S&S cam and FM headers and didn't run hot at all.
Would like to determine if this is the issue, otherwise I'll probably be trying other remedies like an oil cooler fan and or new AC.
edit: fyi I don't think its my PV tune. I had FM check it a couple times when I had the spark plug issue and they said it looked fine.
My memory is terrible but I think at some point I decatted my headers and also added the SE spark plug wires. I got the wires crossed up which led me to think my tune was off on the HD tuner. So I purchased a license for the PV tuner I already had and installed that with the canned map FM provided.
Bike runs pretty good but it runs SO hot. I mean to the point of being unbearable. I bought a laser temp gun to test it.
I'm wondering if decatted headers just don't flow as well as true aftermarket headers. Maybe someone else that decatted their headers has noticed their bike running hot as well.
My 17 had S&S cam and FM headers and didn't run hot at all.
Would like to determine if this is the issue, otherwise I'll probably be trying other remedies like an oil cooler fan and or new AC.
edit: fyi I don't think its my PV tune. I had FM check it a couple times when I had the spark plug issue and they said it looked fine.
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 5,749
Likes: 1,603
From: High Point, NC.
First things first, did you get the plug wires straightened out? Second, the FM tune is just a starting point. You need to tune it or get it tuned. The stock header flows pretty good. Depending on your goal, do aftermarket pipes flow better yes, do decatted pipes work yes. I believe they will support115/125hp. I run a decatted pipe on the trike, definitely makes a difference. A lot depends on your combo of other parts. There is a shop that did a couple of 128 builds with a decatted stock pipe, and still got hp numbers in the mid 130s. Read some of the cam testing threads, there is some valuable info in them.
I did the same thing on my 17....cam FM headers and all...had them installed and used the canned map from FM for a year before getting it dyno tuned. That bike didnt run this hot. Only reason I got it dyno tuned was because my fuel mileage wasn't very good and had a smell of gas. So I know it was running rich.
Still it was no where near as hot as this bike is. I've also ran several auto tune sessions since getting the canned map installed.
And yes I got the plug wires straightened out. lol Before, the bike would try to crank, puff out some smoke from around the ac, then start the second time. It would also cut off on me until it warmed up.
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Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 5,749
Likes: 1,603
From: High Point, NC.
lol umm I decatted it myself...pretty sure its gone.