Removed the catalyst from the head pipes
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,036
Likes: 65
From: Earth
So do I understand that this O2 sensor that is now in the void of the cat area needs to be moved? Or protected with a weld in piece? anyone know what is in the new non-cat headers from Fuel Moto?
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 569
Likes: 7
From: Massachusetts
Yup, I talked it over with my Indy, He has done a few for guy's and have not had ANY issues. There are a bunch of guys on the forum who have done it and have had no issues. I cut mine and cleaned it all out. Monday he's going to tig it back together for me. I guess maybe cross talk could happen, but I haven't had anyone who has cut out there Cat complain about it or say not to do it, including my Indy.
Novice
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Moncks Corner SC
I have been running with the cat gutted for some time now and my bike runs great. If you look inside the head pipe when you cut it open you can see that it is completely separated just like any other 2into1. There was open space before the cat any way. I would agree that there may be sonic pulses running back up the pipes but that happens with any header. O2 sensor is measuring Gases not sonic pulses. When you look at the head pipe you can see that its just like any other header. Each exhaust event going past the other pipe creates a vacuum on that pipe this venture effect is what gives headers a performance advantage over manifolds. Now that being said I could be full of BS but I have a bike that runs great sound great and my leg is not getting fried and I only spent 50 buck on my exhaust system. If you’re worried about cross talking then you should spend the thousand dollars most of these new systems cost. Me I have a very hard time spending that much on a few pieces of pipe and a muffler that we used to be able to get for a couple hundred bucks. good luck to all wich ever whay you desiced to go
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
I bought a gutted 2010 2-2 headpipe on Ebay a month or so ago. With all this talk about pieces of the cat being sucked back into the exhaust port.I dropped an email to the person I bought it from and asked about how he cleaned the part where cat was.
He said after he cuts the cat out that he files the inside slightly and runs a 1 3/4 wire wheel to try and get any loose material out. He suspects that issues could be happening with some people just running a concrete coring bit though the cat just to punch a hole in it. That could open up pieces coming off in that case which makes sense
He said after he cuts the cat out that he files the inside slightly and runs a 1 3/4 wire wheel to try and get any loose material out. He suspects that issues could be happening with some people just running a concrete coring bit though the cat just to punch a hole in it. That could open up pieces coming off in that case which makes sense
Last edited by renlan; Jan 22, 2011 at 02:12 PM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,437
Likes: 15
uh oh! Whats this about pieces being sucked back in, I cut open my pipe and gutted my cat. I started with a drill and then used an air chisel then a hand chisel, I got it really good but a few spots where the epoxy was thick I gave up on. I didnt grind it smooth, I figured it was unlikely to break apart and if anymore broke off it would just blow out the back. how can it get sucked forward? Do I need to cut it back open and grind it smooth? Im already all welded and back together Id hate to have to cut it again. Is there a thread on pieces being sucked in and causing damage?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 12,946
Likes: 32
From: Colorado Springs, CO
there is no vacuum in the exhaust....the exhasut valve is closed on the downstroke of each piston....there is a reason why exhaust gases come OUT of the pipe.
~Joe
~Joe
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
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,437
Likes: 15
there is on a harley. Stick an O2 sensor probe in the end of the exhaust but not high enough up and you will get incredibly lean readings. Shove it close to the port and not near as lean. It is the nature of the beast.
1st Gear
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From:
Cats.
http://www.americancustom.com/?gclid...FQpm7AodbniIrw
Got me a header from these folks. 2010 FLTK with Road Glide fairing, 103 motor. It has V&H mufflers and after the converter was removed the exhaust is louder by quite a bit. No issues with anything. Perhaps my o2 sensors didn't get the memo to cross talk. My observation is that the bike feels a little flatter at low revs under 2500 and as good higher up in the rev scale. I do travel a lot long distance high speed wit a camper in tow so I might look into quieter mufflers which might also help with the torque loss.
I read here about wrapping the rear pipe in pipewrap and might try that just because I can.
When you do the header swap you will feel the difference in exhaust flow out the mufflers. The left hand one only flows a little compared to the right. Different baffles might dolve that. When you re connect the cross over pipe you'll see the diffirence in pipe diameter.
Got me a header from these folks. 2010 FLTK with Road Glide fairing, 103 motor. It has V&H mufflers and after the converter was removed the exhaust is louder by quite a bit. No issues with anything. Perhaps my o2 sensors didn't get the memo to cross talk. My observation is that the bike feels a little flatter at low revs under 2500 and as good higher up in the rev scale. I do travel a lot long distance high speed wit a camper in tow so I might look into quieter mufflers which might also help with the torque loss.
I read here about wrapping the rear pipe in pipewrap and might try that just because I can.
When you do the header swap you will feel the difference in exhaust flow out the mufflers. The left hand one only flows a little compared to the right. Different baffles might dolve that. When you re connect the cross over pipe you'll see the diffirence in pipe diameter.
Last edited by andremn; May 28, 2011 at 07:25 PM.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
