Thoughts on Cat being restrictive......
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 491
Likes: 1
From: Mass.
Well, I have read every post. Who gives a rats a$$. Heat is the only issue. If you want to ride solo because the OL refused to blister her feet and you do not mind your jewels sweating then do not remove the CAT. If you prefer the alternative get rid of the darn CAT anyway you can afford. The rest is just BS.
Novice
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Since most of us don't stop at just replacing headers, and also change air filter and remap via a SERT, just where the added pep comes from is lost in the overall changes. Lowering the heat was my primary concern. Adding Stage1 improvements were secondary.
I knew my '11 Limited was hot, but the numbers were higher than I thought.
Replaced stock with V&H Power Duals and Monster Ovals. Upgraded AirFilter and tuned with an HD SERT.
Front Cylinder cooled 21f.
Rear Cylinder cooled 41f.
1/4 mile went from 16.3 to 14.6 secs.
The four noticable changes are:
1. Lower running temp.
2. Smoother throttle.
3. Slightly added power at low RPM in 5th and 6th gear.
4. Deeper and more appealing sound, but not what I would call loud.
I have all of the detailed stats on a printout at home if anyone is interested in specifics.
I knew my '11 Limited was hot, but the numbers were higher than I thought.
Replaced stock with V&H Power Duals and Monster Ovals. Upgraded AirFilter and tuned with an HD SERT.
Front Cylinder cooled 21f.
Rear Cylinder cooled 41f.
1/4 mile went from 16.3 to 14.6 secs.
The four noticable changes are:
1. Lower running temp.
2. Smoother throttle.
3. Slightly added power at low RPM in 5th and 6th gear.
4. Deeper and more appealing sound, but not what I would call loud.
I have all of the detailed stats on a printout at home if anyone is interested in specifics.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 12,946
Likes: 32
From: Colorado Springs, CO
Why does the cat get so hot???
Heat, is a byproduct of restriction.
If there were no restriction, the increase in heat would be marginal.
I went with a 2009 headpipe, and filled my 18mm bungs with bosch wideband sensors on a Power Commander 5 autotuner setup.
Only problem I have now, is I blew out the baffling on my Klock mufflers and the damn things are too loud now! I imagine the cams and the resultant increase in compression compunded matters as well.
~Joe
Heat, is a byproduct of restriction.
If there were no restriction, the increase in heat would be marginal.
I went with a 2009 headpipe, and filled my 18mm bungs with bosch wideband sensors on a Power Commander 5 autotuner setup.
Only problem I have now, is I blew out the baffling on my Klock mufflers and the damn things are too loud now! I imagine the cams and the resultant increase in compression compunded matters as well.
~Joe
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 102
From: Central Illinois
I wonder if the cat area of the pipe could be wrapped with the high temp exhaust wrap, under the heat shield? May be a cheaper and easier way of cooling the foot down, if a person is not wanting to modify the exhaust.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 12,946
Likes: 32
From: Colorado Springs, CO
Sure.....keep in mind though...you are holding the heat in....and that heat will transfer back onto the engine....the more heat the engine has, the more timing the computer will pull out to avoid detonation, and the less power you will have.
~Joe
~Joe
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 424
Likes: 4
From: Denver, CO
I've been riding my 2011 RKC since January and began to take notice of the heat when the weather went from cool to warm.
It was obvious to me that Harley, through EPA and government environmental restrictions caused the Harleys to not only get warm and lean... they became downright hot.
In May, I placed an order for Ceramic Coated Head Pipes, 4.5 inch Pro Mufflers/Jackpot, a Stage One air intake and Power Vision all from Fuel Moto.
While waiting for the Ceramic Pipes to get manufactured and coated by one of Fuel Moto's sub-contractors, I began to ride in the heat of the summer.
Man, there were times that my crotch and legs were getting really uncomfortable due to the restraints of the Catalytic converter and lean running of the 103.
Put the Stage One on this weekend and I can tell you honestly that the bike is running more rich, air is freely flowing, the head pipes are transporting the heat down the pipe and out the exhaust like its designed to.
The heat emanating from the pipes is greatly reduced.
I cannot believe the Government's restrictions which caused Harley and many other motorcycle manufacturers to 'force' riders to do Stage Ones, eliminate the Cat, spend money on after-market parts and labor to get their bikes cooler!
The Stage One was a lot of money and I consider this just another bad tax/fee, rip-off expense caused by insane government intervention... once again paid for by the consumer.
I whole-hardheartedly blame the government for the excess heat and discomfort due to their overburdening the consumer with their environmental restrictions.
It was obvious to me that Harley, through EPA and government environmental restrictions caused the Harleys to not only get warm and lean... they became downright hot.
In May, I placed an order for Ceramic Coated Head Pipes, 4.5 inch Pro Mufflers/Jackpot, a Stage One air intake and Power Vision all from Fuel Moto.
While waiting for the Ceramic Pipes to get manufactured and coated by one of Fuel Moto's sub-contractors, I began to ride in the heat of the summer.
Man, there were times that my crotch and legs were getting really uncomfortable due to the restraints of the Catalytic converter and lean running of the 103.
Put the Stage One on this weekend and I can tell you honestly that the bike is running more rich, air is freely flowing, the head pipes are transporting the heat down the pipe and out the exhaust like its designed to.
The heat emanating from the pipes is greatly reduced.
I cannot believe the Government's restrictions which caused Harley and many other motorcycle manufacturers to 'force' riders to do Stage Ones, eliminate the Cat, spend money on after-market parts and labor to get their bikes cooler!
The Stage One was a lot of money and I consider this just another bad tax/fee, rip-off expense caused by insane government intervention... once again paid for by the consumer.
I whole-hardheartedly blame the government for the excess heat and discomfort due to their overburdening the consumer with their environmental restrictions.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,816
Likes: 2
From: New Hampshire
I have not really been bothered by the heat that much...when I had the Big Sucker on there without a proper fuel management system it got pretty ^%$#@ hot! Now that I have the stock a/c back on it is back to being hot but not unbearably so.
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