Header Pipe
MODERATOR
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,108
Likes: 1,964
From: New England
You and I both have spent a considerable amount of time attempting to share what we've learned over the years. I'd like to think we've gotten through to a couple here and there. Some of the others, well, I just write them off after a couple tries.
But it is frustrating to read many of the "facts" stated in this and other threads knowing that most of it is misleading to just plain flat wrong.
Thanks again brother...
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
From: Central Ohio
Have a 2013 Street Glide with 4" Rinehart Slip Ons and the stock header pipe. Are stock header pipes with the cat removed as good as aftermarket, for instance Vance & Hines Dresser Duals? No other Mods other than a HD Stage 1 High Flow Air Filter. My goal is to eliminate the cat and create more sound from the exhaust. Not going to do any other mods regarding engine.
My questions are:
(1) Is the '09 head pipe route a good way to go? Will it make economic sense only if I can get the stock '09 head pipe assembly cheap or at a discount?
(2) Who will do the work on the pipe, including drilling the new holes and installing the O2 sensor holders in the pipe? Does your basic national chain muffler shop usually have the expertise to do the work? I don't want to have to ship it somewhere. Will finding the 12mm O2 sensor holders be a problem?
Thanks in advance.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 416
Likes: 14
From: Texas
Hi, guys, I will be in the same boat pretty much as jrider62, I will be picking up my retirement (and last!) bike (an '14 Ultra) this weekend. I plan on doing an SE Stage 1 air filter and the exhaust; no engine mods are planned. I've read about people saving their stock head pipe assembly for the possible day that they have to contend with emissions testing and going with an aftermarket head pipe assembly OR buying a '09 49 state stock head pipe assembly, sealing up the 18mm O2 sensor holes (located near the exhaust ports), and having new 12mm O2 holes drilled down in the collector so as to maintain proper placement of the O2 sensors. Either route, I know I'll need a Power Commander, SE Pro Super Tuner, etc.
My questions are:
(1) Is the '09 head pipe route a good way to go? Will it make economic sense only if I can get the stock '09 head pipe assembly cheap or at a discount?
(2) Who will do the work on the pipe, including drilling the new holes and installing the O2 sensor holders in the pipe? Does your basic national chain muffler shop usually have the expertise to do the work? I don't want to have to ship it somewhere. Will finding the 12mm O2 sensor holders be a problem?
Thanks in advance.
My questions are:
(1) Is the '09 head pipe route a good way to go? Will it make economic sense only if I can get the stock '09 head pipe assembly cheap or at a discount?
(2) Who will do the work on the pipe, including drilling the new holes and installing the O2 sensor holders in the pipe? Does your basic national chain muffler shop usually have the expertise to do the work? I don't want to have to ship it somewhere. Will finding the 12mm O2 sensor holders be a problem?
Thanks in advance.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,023
Likes: 6
From: New Jersey
The 4" Rinehart mufflers are very popular, so you're golden there. The reasonable, practical, and most economic course of action for "losing" the cat is to grab a stock, de-catted head pipe on Ebay (about $135/shipped). This solution will cost you about 25% of the cost of buying new duals.
Since, the bike already runs a bit lean from the factory, doing a Stage 1 will only exacerbate the issue. The prudent thing to to do is to enrich the fuel mixture a tad.
Thread Starter
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4th Gear
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Taylor Mill, KY
Pm ??
I'm new and don't know how to PM or find where to read the one you sent. Can you point me to where I find that?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 10,637
Likes: 1,246
From: Lake, Ms
2010 Limited with some stuff
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 755
Likes: 9
From: Phoenix, AZ
Thanks for the ideas and input. I like the looks of a header pipe like V&H Dresser Duals so I'll go with that based solely on looks. From reading the comments, I will go with some form of a tune, probably the XiED style or one that 'reprograms' the ECM and not a piggy back type. Thanks, Jim