decatting pipes
Thanks I'm looking into it.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 203
Likes: 2
I have one for sale in the classifieds, it is the window style which gets all the cat material out. It has been smoothed inside with a grinder, welded back up using stainless steel filler on a TIG welder so it will never rust and then pressure tested. $110 shipped and $25 of that is shipping costs. Great deal compared to what I paid for it.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,814
Likes: 11
From: USA
I am really on the fence on this. I have a new (2015) Ultra coming and stage 1 is my first priority. Surprisingly the tuner at the dealer that I'm going to use was very positive of using a decatted stock pipe. Says they get great results.
But the thing that makes me think twice is the number of times I see people selling a stock decatted pipe after running it for six months. It makes me wonder what was it about the stock pipe that made them go aftermarket ?
But the thing that makes me think twice is the number of times I see people selling a stock decatted pipe after running it for six months. It makes me wonder what was it about the stock pipe that made them go aftermarket ?
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 416
Likes: 14
From: Texas
I am really on the fence on this. I have a new (2015) Ultra coming and stage 1 is my first priority. Surprisingly the tuner at the dealer that I'm going to use was very positive of using a decatted stock pipe. Says they get great results.
But the thing that makes me think twice is the number of times I see people selling a stock decatted pipe after running it for six months. It makes me wonder what was it about the stock pipe that made them go aftermarket ?
But the thing that makes me think twice is the number of times I see people selling a stock decatted pipe after running it for six months. It makes me wonder what was it about the stock pipe that made them go aftermarket ?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17,138
Likes: 6,162
From: SE Michigan
I am really on the fence on this. I have a new (2015) Ultra coming and stage 1 is my first priority. Surprisingly the tuner at the dealer that I'm going to use was very positive of using a decatted stock pipe. Says they get great results.
But the thing that makes me think twice is the number of times I see people selling a stock decatted pipe after running it for six months. It makes me wonder what was it about the stock pipe that made them go aftermarket ?
But the thing that makes me think twice is the number of times I see people selling a stock decatted pipe after running it for six months. It makes me wonder what was it about the stock pipe that made them go aftermarket ?
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,219
Likes: 63
From: westland Michigan
[QUOTE=472viper;13293104]I am really on the fence on this. I have a new (2015) Ultra coming and stage 1 is my first priority. Surprisingly the tuner at the dealer that I'm going to use was very positive of using a decatted stock pipe. Says they get great results.
But the thing that makes me think twice is the number of times I see people selling a stock decatted pipe after running it for six months. It makes me wonder what was it about the stock pipe that made them go aftermarket ?[/QUOTE.
Some aftermarket pipes come jet hot coated and that helps a bit more with heat from the exhaust pipes and a lil bit better flow. Myself I just decatted my own pipe and havent looked back as of yet. Plus as the OL says i already customized it enough for the first year so wait until next spring to do more to it. Plus winter is coming on fast.
Batman
But the thing that makes me think twice is the number of times I see people selling a stock decatted pipe after running it for six months. It makes me wonder what was it about the stock pipe that made them go aftermarket ?[/QUOTE.
Some aftermarket pipes come jet hot coated and that helps a bit more with heat from the exhaust pipes and a lil bit better flow. Myself I just decatted my own pipe and havent looked back as of yet. Plus as the OL says i already customized it enough for the first year so wait until next spring to do more to it. Plus winter is coming on fast.
Batman
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,934
Likes: 722
From: Ontario, Canada
Just finished installing my "cat-less" OEM head pipe. Got it on eBay from a guy that goes by "hdheaders". He works at a Harley dealership in St. Paul MN. Cuts the pipe, guts the cat & puts on a "jig" to re-weld. Workmanship is mint...if you didn't know it had been cut you couldn't tell. Fit is perfect and he'll even send a set of heat shields for n/c...all you have to do is ask.
Says he's done hundreds of pipes...they sell them to other dealers and over the counter at the dealership where he works. Can't beat $120.00! Bonus is I get to keep my OEM head pipe with the cat in it (just in case) and have an extra set of heat shields.
Very pleased!
Says he's done hundreds of pipes...they sell them to other dealers and over the counter at the dealership where he works. Can't beat $120.00! Bonus is I get to keep my OEM head pipe with the cat in it (just in case) and have an extra set of heat shields.
Very pleased!
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I decatted the stock head pipe on my 12 Limited to reduce heat. I was disappointed in the results. It did reduce the heat felt when stopped or moving very slow. But no difference while riding. It made the exhaust a little louder and a crisper sound that I liked but it was higher pitched. I prefer a deeper tone. The things I really didn't like was I lost some low end acceleration. It wasn't just my feeling either. I have seen some dyno's, they all showed no change or a small drop in HP & torque on a completely stock bike. The exhaust also had an old car exhaust smell to it. I don't feel the little bit of heat loss when stopped is worth the negatives. If you really want to get rid of the cat I would recommend going aftermarket and then adding a tuner. I'm keeping my stock head pipe with the cat on my 14 Limited. Only thing I'm changing is the slip-on's.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,572
Likes: 5
From: Templeton California
i would venture to say you get less than 50% of the cat removed with a drill bit.