Just purchased an '09 Electra Glide Ultra Classic from a private-party(to replace my '02).

Seller stated that the motor was upgraded to 103" and I confirmed with my local dealer that all the work was completed at the dealer including SE slip-ons.

Where my confusion lies is regarding the catalytic convertor...or lack thereof.

Have spent far too much time researching the web in trying to determine what model has what. 49-state(HD factory -> Kansas-dealer) not CA ?

Numerous HD mechanics and other rider/enthusiasts have told me that I should gut the cat to help with both sound & heat since it was std on this model.

I doubt that a HD dealer/shop would have done that in keeping with their warranty, and the previous(only) owner wouldn't have done it.

I pulled off the right slip-on and was able to extend a 1"-wide tape-measure 38" up the header, thus telling me that there is no cat.

However the exhaust(w/ slip-on re-mounted, of course) on the '09 still sounds somewhat muted as compared to my '02 that had what looked like stock pipes(no branding/badging), and did sound a bit sharper.

To add to the confusion, the VIN-sheet I had my local HD dealer pull shows that the dealer-installed SE pipes are p/n #80721-09, but the p/n# stamped on the actual pipes are #80482-09.

Might these new SE pipes have a cat in them ? They certainly aren't straight-thru nor can I see daylight thru them, but no tell-tale signs of a cat either.

All things considered, I suspect that my best play here is to pony up for a diff set of slip-ons vs hacking up my current setup in my quest for a sharper sounding exhaust ?

Not looking for anything too loud or obnoxious...just something better than the sewing machine it currently sounds like


Thanks in advance,
~~Robb

 

No Cat in the 09 header

The #80482-09 were replaced by the 80721-09's, not sure when they stopped making the 80482-09. Sounds like the dealer had some 80482-09 in stock when they did the install and put them on instead of the newer ones.

Tons of opinions on slip-ons and what sounds good, swing by a dealership on the weekend and listen to some bikes that come in or a bike night somewhere and find something you think sounds good.

 

Two things:
Check the sixth digit of your VIN. If it is a 3,5 or 6 it is a California model, not a 49-state bike, so it came with a catalytic converter in the head pipe.


Also, if a dealer installed a 103 big bore kit, some of those kits (like the 27564-09A) included a new head pipe with catalytic converter in them. So the bike may have gotten one at that time.
.

 

As the others have said: From the factory there was no cat in '09 49 state bikes. I have an '09; no cat. I have the same pipes (80721-09) and along with Stage One AC/DL I like the sound. You wont be able to see through them.