Which way to keep cool?
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Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 94
Likes: 153
From: Wisconsin
Which way to keep cool?
This summer things got a little warm on my right leg and under the seat when the weather was warmer. Almost forgot, I'm riding an '18 Ultra Limited thats stock and I'm looking to keep things cooler next summer. Today when dropping the bike off for winter storage, I asked the dealer about the fan for under the seat/behind the rear cylinder. The dealer suggested something along the lines of a new down pipe and getting rid of the catalytic converter. I'm wondering what you have tried and what you recommend.
Thanks for the help
Mark
Thanks for the help
Mark
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 11,476
Likes: 3,003
From: Charleston, SC
I have a twin-cooled bike that has been tuned and ran a header without the Cat, Bike was still warm/hot-ish around the ankle/shin area only - seat area is always pretty cool.
Later I put a header with Cat back on for sound reasons - I like it quiet... Heat rose a little but not much.
Anyway, just messing around, I wrapped my OEM header with some cheap *** stuff I found on Amazon and it literally dropped the right side temp down to near left side temp. I wasn't expecting it to work as well as it did, but it worked fantastic.
My bike is way out of warranty so I don't care if it rusts the header eventually - they are a dime a dozen anyway.
Regardless it's holding fine, no rust or water retention, nor steam (all the stuff people warn you about) and its completely hidden by the factory heat shields so it doesn't look like ***. Working great for like 16 bucks...
Later I put a header with Cat back on for sound reasons - I like it quiet... Heat rose a little but not much.
Anyway, just messing around, I wrapped my OEM header with some cheap *** stuff I found on Amazon and it literally dropped the right side temp down to near left side temp. I wasn't expecting it to work as well as it did, but it worked fantastic.
My bike is way out of warranty so I don't care if it rusts the header eventually - they are a dime a dozen anyway.
Regardless it's holding fine, no rust or water retention, nor steam (all the stuff people warn you about) and its completely hidden by the factory heat shields so it doesn't look like ***. Working great for like 16 bucks...
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 740
Likes: 228
From: Lagoa - VNF
I have a twin-cooled bike that has been tuned and ran a header without the Cat, Bike was still warm/hot-ish around the ankle/shin area only - seat area is always pretty cool.
Later I put a header with Cat back on for sound reasons - I like it quiet... Heat rose a little but not much.
Anyway, just messing around, I wrapped my OEM header with some cheap *** stuff I found on Amazon and it literally dropped the right side temp down to near left side temp. I wasn't expecting it to work as well as it did, but it worked fantastic.
My bike is way out of warranty so I don't care if it rusts the header eventually - they are a dime a dozen anyway.
Regardless it's holding fine, no rust or water retention, nor steam (all the stuff people warn you about) and its completely hidden by the factory heat shields so it doesn't look like ***. Working great for like 16 bucks...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Later I put a header with Cat back on for sound reasons - I like it quiet... Heat rose a little but not much.
Anyway, just messing around, I wrapped my OEM header with some cheap *** stuff I found on Amazon and it literally dropped the right side temp down to near left side temp. I wasn't expecting it to work as well as it did, but it worked fantastic.
My bike is way out of warranty so I don't care if it rusts the header eventually - they are a dime a dozen anyway.
Regardless it's holding fine, no rust or water retention, nor steam (all the stuff people warn you about) and its completely hidden by the factory heat shields so it doesn't look like ***. Working great for like 16 bucks...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
did that on my 13, bigg difference indeed
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 1,506
Likes: 5,092
From: usa
I used the mid frame deflectors, they seem to work better if I just use the right side so the hot air can escape instead of it being trapped with both sides on. I also noticed that the new solo seat from harley is thin so I put some self stick race car heat reflective mat under the seat and it helped. Now I have the Saddlemen Dominator seat and it doesn't let heat through like the cheap thin harley seat. I'll take the cat out when my warranty expires.
Club Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 4,549
Likes: 5,887
From: Syracuse NY
When the heck does it ever get warm in Wisconsin?!?
Seriously, I have a '16 FLHTK and eliminated the cat and have the mid frame air deflectors. Seems good to me.
Now just in case....no harm intended, if that's a water cooled head set up, you do have the lower vents open, correct?
Seriously, I have a '16 FLHTK and eliminated the cat and have the mid frame air deflectors. Seems good to me.
Now just in case....no harm intended, if that's a water cooled head set up, you do have the lower vents open, correct?
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Joined: Apr 2007
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From: .
Well I've never ridden an Electra glide with a cat. On my 05 (didn't have one to begin with) or my current '13 and never felt the engine was too hot. That's with being in mississippi and virginia. Get rid of the cat and you should be more than ok in WI.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 94
Likes: 153
From: Wisconsin
When the heck does it ever get warm in Wisconsin?!?
Seriously, I have a '16 FLHTK and eliminated the cat and have the mid frame air deflectors. Seems good to me.
Now just in case....no harm intended, if that's a water cooled head set up, you do have the lower vents open, correct?
Seriously, I have a '16 FLHTK and eliminated the cat and have the mid frame air deflectors. Seems good to me.
Now just in case....no harm intended, if that's a water cooled head set up, you do have the lower vents open, correct?
This is my first Harley but I did have that one figured out. I think the bike came with the air deflectors so thats covered.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,158
Likes: 11,248
From: San Diego, CA
The Harley Cool Flow fan was designed with passenger comfort in mind....
It evacuates the hot air down and away from the rear engine area... right where your crotch and passenger legs are..
I don't have one, but have read many reviews on it, and it seems to work well....