Just don't post any pics!

 

Cats run hotter than the exhaust leaving the engine.

On HD's exhaust leaves the engine at around 1000*, but when the unburnt fuel in the exhaust reaches the cat it then burns and temps are normally seen in the 1500* area.

Details on the the function of the cat and why it is hotter than normal exhaust gasses-

Catalytic converters run very hot, they do three chemical reactions, two are oxidation and one is a reduction reaction.

Engines generally haven't time to complete the chemical reactions that oxidize fuel converting it chemically into CO2 and water. The exhaust includes amounts of unburnt fuel (hydrocarbons) and CO. The hydrocarbons react with the atmosphere to form a component of SMOG.

The catalytic converter completes the burn started in the cylinder using a catalyst (this causes ADDITIONAL HEAT)instead of a spark plug to combust the unburnt HCs to CO2 and water (H2O) and completes the reaction of CO to CO2 the latter may warm the atmosphere but won't kill you out right. CO is called a partial product, of which there are many in the burning of fuel in an engine. Combustion, whether in a fireplace or an engine, is a process that passes the chemical reaction thru several partial stages of reaction products before the equations complete with CO2 and water as final products. Combustion of these partial products depends on time, temperature and chemical associations to complete. Seldom is everything there to complete the reactions you're taught in high school chemistry.

The other major component of SMOG and a contributor to acid rain is nitrogen oxides (NOx). NOx is formed by combustion temperatures and pressures. This is one reason why overall compression ratios of modern engines were lowered and it is why there is an EGR valve on your motor. These two things reduce pressure and temperature which reduces, but does not eliminate, the production of NOx. To reduce the NOx levels in the exhaust the converter has another section for a reduction reaction catalyst which takes NOx molecules and tears them apart making free nitrogen and oxygen.

So all this chemistry going on in the converter makes for considerable temperatures within the converter.

 

09's had cats ?

 

+10 On removing the Cat

 

California 09's did. The rest came along, in 2010.

 

If it's his right leg from the mid thigh forward or lower leg it ain't the cat, not unless he's going backwards. As a noob he's probably clinching the tank with his legs. The air cleaner gets really hot, his leg is probably against it, that's what happened to me at first. I relaxed and quit riding like that, and then extended floorboards made all the difference so I could keep my feet on the board. Extended the brake pedal, too.

 

Jack Coulter, I just want to say holy crap; 85 years old and learning to ride anything is awesome. Good for you and pass on some of that longevity to the rest of us "kids"!
Welcome to the Forum, there's a ton of good advice here, as evidenced above.

 

I was surprised to find out how hot the Air Cleaner gets...

 

Go to Jafrum.com and order a set of half chaps to fit your legs. They are inexpensive on this website and will solve the radiated heat problems on your lower legs. Even when the air temp is over one hundred they will keep the engine heat off of your legs. I wore mine on a 5000 mile plus ride across the country and my legs were always comfortable no matter what the air temperature was. The floor board extension kit and putting your feet up onto highway pegs also helps. Also never ride in shorts, the engine heat,bugs and road debris hitting your bare legs will not only be uncomfortable but could also injure your legs. Ride safe, John Ryan