cat removal from 10 headpipe audio file
Tourer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 435
Likes: 1
From: St. George, Utah
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,290
Likes: 20
From: Salem, Or
I just removed a cat from a 2010 head pipe and the rear O2 sensor screws into the rear pipe which was extended into the collector. Even with the Cat in the head pipe they would cross talk if this wasn't done since the cat is located past the sensors. Hope this makes sense.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
You don't want to remove the cat. Bad things will happen with the oxygen sensors cross talking because the 2010 and later are located down the pipe by the cat.You want to replace the head pipe with an 09 pipe or get a new one from Fuel Moto. You also need a tuner for no cat. Fuel Moto sells the whole kit.
your post is so full of misinformation it isn't even funny. first, there is less chance of 'cross talk' between the o2 sensors without the cat. the cat is located downstream of the sensors, take it out, and you take out a bottleneck and allow exhaust to flow freer.
second, you do not need a tuner. i am running catless, have been for almost 12,000 miles. i also have a nightstick slip on installed. i do not have a tuner. i am still running stock ecm, and a/c. my bike is not facing impending disaster. it still runs somewhat hot, but not unbearably so (and we're talking summer in la), there is no pinging, my oil temps run about 220-230* (checked after a hard run), and my plugs are not bone white, they are actually a nice tan.
the only good info in your post is the recommendation to get a fuelmoto headpipe. i would have done that myself, but i had an 'extra' stock headpipe so i thought i would give it a shot. been running it for 9 months and 12,000 miles, so i must not think it's too bad.....
the stock muffler with no cat is still relatively quiet, but does have a nice growl to it when you get on it, the nightstick is slightly louder.
give me a couple of days, and i will try to get a video/soundclip..... no promises though, never done it before.
Last edited by skratch; Dec 6, 2010 at 09:56 PM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,396
Likes: 266
From: Southern California
I took my stock pipes off almost as soon as I got the bike home and replaced them with a complete aftermarket set. However, some states and now including motorcycles in their annual or biannual smog and/or exhaust inspection routines. So-o-o-o-o, I carefully wrapped up my stock pipes and parked them up in the rafters of the garage . . . . just in case . . . I don't even want to begin to think what Harley would want for a stock set of head pipes with the catalytic converters if I had to produce them to get my registration renewed!
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,328
Likes: 154
From: Lake City, Florida
My 103 Limited runs strong, sounds good, and runs alot cooler with the collector cut in half / the cat drilled out / collector rewelded. Total cost $20. Wrapped my rear cyclinder head pipe and the collector with header wrap, reinstalled heat shields over, cost $14. Run Fuel Moto's Jackpot slip ons, a V & H Fuelpac, a Screamin Eagle A/C.
I not interested in dyno tuning and the max HP. I very seldom run the RPM's much over 3500 anyway. She hammers along real nice at 75-85mph, just got a ticket to prove it.
One more thing, you can just unplug your 02 sensors, I've run with them plugged in and unplugged, still gets 40 mpg either way. Plugs look nice and tan, not all white and hot looking anymore.
I not interested in dyno tuning and the max HP. I very seldom run the RPM's much over 3500 anyway. She hammers along real nice at 75-85mph, just got a ticket to prove it.
One more thing, you can just unplug your 02 sensors, I've run with them plugged in and unplugged, still gets 40 mpg either way. Plugs look nice and tan, not all white and hot looking anymore.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,437
Likes: 15
My 103 Limited runs strong, sounds good, and runs alot cooler with the collector cut in half / the cat drilled out / collector rewelded. Total cost $20. Wrapped my rear cyclinder head pipe and the collector with header wrap, reinstalled heat shields over, cost $14. Run Fuel Moto's Jackpot slip ons, a V & H Fuelpac, a Screamin Eagle A/C.
I not interested in dyno tuning and the max HP. I very seldom run the RPM's much over 3500 anyway. She hammers along real nice at 75-85mph, just got a ticket to prove it.
One more thing, you can just unplug your 02 sensors, I've run with them plugged in and unplugged, still gets 40 mpg either way. Plugs look nice and tan, not all white and hot looking anymore.
I not interested in dyno tuning and the max HP. I very seldom run the RPM's much over 3500 anyway. She hammers along real nice at 75-85mph, just got a ticket to prove it.
One more thing, you can just unplug your 02 sensors, I've run with them plugged in and unplugged, still gets 40 mpg either way. Plugs look nice and tan, not all white and hot looking anymore.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
if you have an extra, then i say go for it. i would not have done it if i didn't have an extra. not because of any negative performance issues, but solely because i want to have the stock pipes on hand, 'just in case'....
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: The Peoples Republic of Delawanna, NJ
I have taken a spare 2010 head pipe and cut it with a Reciprocating Saw in the
center of the cat. Used a 1 ˝ dia. hole saw to cut the center out, then
used a air chisel to get the rest out. Using Rush slip on 1 ž baffle,
just got back from a 4800 mi. trip pulling a trailer, bike ran strong and cooler.
center of the cat. Used a 1 ˝ dia. hole saw to cut the center out, then
used a air chisel to get the rest out. Using Rush slip on 1 ž baffle,
just got back from a 4800 mi. trip pulling a trailer, bike ran strong and cooler.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,437
Likes: 15
you are not going to be able to just 'drill it out' like you used to be able to. the cat material is some tuff stuff. i cut mine in half and it still took me 2 hrs to get it all cleaned out. course, where i made my error was to not cut through the cat material. if you do that, you will have 2 pieces to clean out, but only about 2 inches in each side. i think that will be a lot easier than trying to pry all out the one side.
if you have an extra, then i say go for it. i would not have done it if i didn't have an extra. not because of any negative performance issues, but solely because i want to have the stock pipes on hand, 'just in case'....
if you have an extra, then i say go for it. i would not have done it if i didn't have an extra. not because of any negative performance issues, but solely because i want to have the stock pipes on hand, 'just in case'....