So, another De-cat post
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 876
Likes: 4
From: Waskom, TX
So, another De-cat post
I just installed my decatted head pipe Friday and between Saturday and Sunday, put about 300 miles on my 2012 Ultra Classic. This post is primarily aimed at the guy that's on the fence about doing this. I hope my description is useful.
First of all, the only thing that I expected was that the heat from the converter would be gone. I wasn't looking for anything else. My stock Ultra is plenty of bike. It hauls me and my wife and our crap all day long. I don't care if it'll pull the front wheel off the ground or burn big rubber. I just want it to cruise comfortably and getting rid of that little furnace on the right side should help a lot. Granted, 75 in Texas isn't any great shakes, but I still noticed the bike cooler sitting at traffic lights. I think in a hot Texas summer, it'll be noticeable. My wrench recommended that I also install a set of XiEDs to richen it up just a little. Like you guys, he really wanted to install a tuner, but we talked about it, and he agreed that since this is all I'm going to do to it, the XiEDs would be fine.
With the gutted cat, I got exactly what I wanted, and a little bit more. I got cooler, and that's good. I was concerned about a couple of things. O2 sensor cross talk was one. I don't know enough about it to yay/nay this one. But it still runs great, mileage is the same so I assume that any cross talk is not hurting anything anyway. The other thing I was concerned about was decel popping. My VTX1800 did that and I hated it. I have none now. I was worried about nothing. My sound is a happy bonus. I got deeper, and a little louder. I was thinking about some kind of aftermarket slip ons, but not now. She barks when I twist it, and mellows out at speed. Exactly what I wanted.
I'd have to say that I am 100% happy with my decatted head pipe, and that I have noticed no downside.
David
Ride Safe
First of all, the only thing that I expected was that the heat from the converter would be gone. I wasn't looking for anything else. My stock Ultra is plenty of bike. It hauls me and my wife and our crap all day long. I don't care if it'll pull the front wheel off the ground or burn big rubber. I just want it to cruise comfortably and getting rid of that little furnace on the right side should help a lot. Granted, 75 in Texas isn't any great shakes, but I still noticed the bike cooler sitting at traffic lights. I think in a hot Texas summer, it'll be noticeable. My wrench recommended that I also install a set of XiEDs to richen it up just a little. Like you guys, he really wanted to install a tuner, but we talked about it, and he agreed that since this is all I'm going to do to it, the XiEDs would be fine.
With the gutted cat, I got exactly what I wanted, and a little bit more. I got cooler, and that's good. I was concerned about a couple of things. O2 sensor cross talk was one. I don't know enough about it to yay/nay this one. But it still runs great, mileage is the same so I assume that any cross talk is not hurting anything anyway. The other thing I was concerned about was decel popping. My VTX1800 did that and I hated it. I have none now. I was worried about nothing. My sound is a happy bonus. I got deeper, and a little louder. I was thinking about some kind of aftermarket slip ons, but not now. She barks when I twist it, and mellows out at speed. Exactly what I wanted.
I'd have to say that I am 100% happy with my decatted head pipe, and that I have noticed no downside.
David
Ride Safe
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 243
Likes: 2
Did you have the head pipe "de catted" locally or did you purchase one??
Found a guy that refurbishes stock head pipes (removes the cat). B&E performance I think. Refurbishes stock mufflers too by the way.
Haven't pulled the trigger yet...waiting for the 1000 mile service.
If you installed it yourself be sure to pass along any tips.
Don
Found a guy that refurbishes stock head pipes (removes the cat). B&E performance I think. Refurbishes stock mufflers too by the way.
Haven't pulled the trigger yet...waiting for the 1000 mile service.
If you installed it yourself be sure to pass along any tips.
Don
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,473
Likes: 15
From: River City Western Canada
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 139
Likes: 4
From: Nags Head, NC
Having my gutted cat installed Thursday.
I bought one off EBay with the intention of installing it myself. I started looking at the PIA factor, and called my dealer. The Service Manager said that they would do it for one hour labor ($70). If it will take them one hour, I figure it will take me three, so I am having him install it Thursday.
My dealer is a 300 mile ride round trip, so I will ride up, have lunch while he installs it, and have a nice ride home. The forecast is looking great (low 80's, no rain) so a day riding and a nice lunch sounds like a better day then changing a headpipe.
I dropped the headpipe off at UPS today, and shipped it to the dealer. I will re-box the take off, and ship it back home. Luckily there is a UPS Store across the street from the dealer.
My dealer is a 300 mile ride round trip, so I will ride up, have lunch while he installs it, and have a nice ride home. The forecast is looking great (low 80's, no rain) so a day riding and a nice lunch sounds like a better day then changing a headpipe.
I dropped the headpipe off at UPS today, and shipped it to the dealer. I will re-box the take off, and ship it back home. Luckily there is a UPS Store across the street from the dealer.
Last edited by beachdive; Apr 8, 2013 at 06:03 PM.
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 876
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From: Waskom, TX
No, I bought one off eBay for $60 and de catted it myself. I had my local cycle shop do the swap. Cost $70. I saved $70 worth of PITA.
Ride Safe
Ride Safe
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 139
Likes: 4
From: Nags Head, NC
Definitely louder
I had my decated headpipe installed yesterday and it is definitely louder. Not obnoxious loud, but definitely noticeably louder and a deeper tone. I am running stock Street Glide mufflers on my Ultra Limited, I liked the slash down better than the straight cut.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,000
Likes: 5
From: S.E. NC
I got one gutted off ebay, well, I'll have it next week hopefully. Damn storm messed up the shipping time. Already have some straight through slip ons waiting. Probably gonna end up too loud. Hope to find out next weekend.
Oh, coming from Denver. He sells for $99 w free shipping.
Oh, coming from Denver. He sells for $99 w free shipping.