I could not find a definitive answer online, so here is my question: Do new Sportsters have a catalytic converter in the muffler or header, and if so, when were the converters first fitted to the Sportster?

 

Believe I've read the Sporty's have the converters in the mufflers. Found this over at XLForum.net:

http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/s...1&postcount=19

 

Yeah they are in the mufflers. I know 2014 and up have them. Not sure about the older ones.

 

Thanks... Now I know!

 

My '17 has them in the mufflers. Of course they are packed away in a box in the garage now.

 

Yes. I believe it started in 2015?

 

No my 2014 has them in the mufflers...

 

It seems like some of the 1200 HDI models in 2017 may have cats in the header pipes.

2017 XL1200C

31 65600094 HEADER PIPE (DOMESTIC, AUSTRALIA, ASIA-PACIFIC, INDIA, BRAZIL) 1 188.99 166.49

31 65600182 HEADER PIPE (INTERNATIONAL ONLY, ENGLAND, JAPAN) 1 815.49 717.49

http://partsfinder.onlinemicrofiche....00%20CUSTOM%20[CT]%20EXHAUST%20SYSTEM

I see that HD indicates the 2018 Sportsters have a "New Closed loop exhaust system" for 2018-
https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/e...00-custom.html

 

My 2012 48 mufflers didn't have the cats just baffles but my 2016 Roadster did until I took them out.

This is the cat material looking in the muffler from the clamp end of the slip-on.



The cats are the little beer can looking parts connected to the end of the baffles.

 

Ewwwww.