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[paul.a.hyson]

Howdy all.  Recently picked up a 2009 FLHTCUSE4 with only 15,000 original miles.  Brothers in my CVMA Chapter keep telling me to get rid of the Catalytic Converter.

My question is this; the bike runs like new, I live in NH were we only have 6-7 months max of riding season, I don't mind not having loud pipes as I am a bit older now, is it worth the effort/expense to remove the cat?

Thanks for any replies.

Paul "BIGDAWG" Hyson
Combat Veterans Association
Chapter 5-2, Lakes Region New Hampshire

[Cvostu]

If heat is an issue I would or buy another head pipe.  I have the stock system on a new cvo rg. I'm good with it so far.   So I'm leaving it.  For now anyway. If you do another pipe.,get a good tune.    Stuart.

[J.D.]

Maybe.

If you like how it runs and sounds now it doesn't make much sense, especially if you have any sort of emissions inspection.

If you want more sound, power, and less heat then yes, but be prepared to also have some sort of tuning work done to compensate.

[SIKBIRD]

It will run better and cooler but once you go that route, it’s opening Pandora’s box...pipes, air cleaner, tuner, dyno time.  It was worth it to me (true Duals, slip ons, tuned) but if you’re happy with it now, keep it as is and spend the $ on a MC trip to the smoky mountains!

[Tail Rider]

I'd do it, just from the "heat" aspect alone. With the side benefit of some more oomph and longevity of the engine, but needs tuner of some sort at least, as they are already inherently lean from the factory.

[FLSTFI Dave]

I bought an 09 CVO Road Glide new.  I did cut the head pipe in half at the cat, got it all out.  Then had it welded back together.  We knew the band saw bad took an 1/8 of material out so it was welded to put that 1/8 back.  Once tuned it gave the bikes a bit more power.  It reduced a lot of heat.

Since I did that Fullsac came out with a very good head pipe for the 09-13 CVO bikes, the DX pipe or if only a pipe and no other work like cams then the less expensive sport pipe.

Fullsac also sells baffles that can go in the stock mufflers.  Much less then slip ons.  the 1.75 is not much louder than stock and has great low end torque.

[BostonboyDH]

    Absolutely!!! At minimum a open header pipe such as a FullSac DX & use your stock cans then get it over to R&R for a good tune and you'll have a cooler running engine with better throttle response and the sound won't change much. If you can spend the coin as FLSTFI Dave mentioned the FulSac 1.75 Cores for your stock cans and a free flowing air cleaner will max out what is considered a stage 1 performance up grade and you will pleasantly surprised at how that bike will respond.

BostonBoy

[smkymtnboy]

since you are new to the site and may not know fulsac is a vendor on this site. he does offer a discount to members of this site. a fulsac search should help!!

[PBSTN]

Not sure. But I don't think you would have to change the intake. Your bike should already have high flow intake.

[GregKhougaz]

Yes, it's worth it. I had and loved a 2009 Screamin' Eagle Road Glide. You will find the Fullsac route to be highly recommended. You will get some added power but a much better throttle response. Here are two threads from 2009 to take a look at.

Removing a Catalytic Converter form 09 CVO Road Glide

Installing Fullsac Baffles on 09 CVO Road Glide

[paul.a.hyson]

If heat is an issue I would or buy another head pipe.  I have the stock system on a new cvo rg. I'm good with it so far.   So I'm leaving it.  For now anyway. If you do another pipe.,get a good tune.    Stuart.

Have not noticed an issue with heat, have done a few 300 mile days last summer and the ride was nothing but comfortable.  Thanks for the insight.

[paul.a.hyson]

I really appreciate the feedback, kind of blown away to be honest this CVO group is pretty awesome!  Seems like if I don't notice an issue with heat perhaps keeping her stock is a good option.  Not to mention that I purchased the bike for $16K, came home and asked for forgiveness.  Maybe dumping money into a want (a bit deeper sound) isn't my best option.  Lil'Red as I like to call my CVO is stored in my basement safe and sound, runs and looks like it came off the showroom floor. 

The manual can be confusing, the bike is equipped with the EITMS, but the manual states to not operate Cat equipped machines with an engine misfire; isn't that what the EITMS basically is doing by shutting down the rear jug?  The manual also states that California and international CVOs are cat equipped which would lead one to believe that the 6th number in the VIN dictates if the bike has a Cat?

Is the EITMS okay to use and is the manual a mistake ? LOL  Thank you all so much for the input.

Paul BIGDAWG Hyson

[J.D.]

When that kicks in the fuel delivery also shuts off so as to not destroy the cat.

I'd suggest you leave things as is if you are happy.  "If it ain't broke don't fix it."  Keep an eye on those lifters and compensator though (read up on Twin Cam lifter and compensator failures).

[BostonboyDH]

  My Bad, PBSTN post is correct the CVO come standard wit a high flow stage 1 Ventilator AC so a new one won't be needed Money Saved....  BostonBoy

[Dan_Lockwood]

You don't have to take off the headers to do the CAT removal.

I also have an '09 SERG and put it up on the table lift and removed just collector heat shield.

Once down to the bare header I used my plasma cutter and cut a rectangular hole in the outside of the center section of the collector area.  Once the cut was made, I had to peel the piece out as it is attached to part of the CAT on the inside.  Once the piece is removed, I used my air chisel to remove the rest of the converter.  It cleans up pretty well.  But if you're using an air chisel, be carful to not go TOO deep like I did.  I ended up with a slight slit on the back side of the collector and had to run a quick bead to patch that.  But if doing by hand with hammer and chisel, it can be cleaned out in about half an hour.

Once clean and the removed piece is cleaned, I held it back in place with a couple magnets to get it flush with the existing collector sheet metal.  The just welded it up.  The pipe is plated, but that did not matter and the weld turn out good.  It has not rusted and the heat was greatly diminished, very good thing to do!

If that's all you did and left everything else as it is, I doubt that any tuner would be needed for just removing the CAT.

I did Fullsac 2" baffles and purchased the TTS Master tune from Steve.  In the day, he had been dyno tuning MANY of the new '09 SERG's and offered the canned dyno proven map with the purchase of his 2" baffles and TTS.  I think the whole thing was in $500 to $600 range.  That's all I've done to my '09 and it's been a reach champ of a ride ever since.  I was not out for WAY more power, but smoother, cooler and a little better sound.  I also could expect to get around 45 to 47 mpg riding 2 up on country roads.  Freeway at 70 to 80 mph drops it quite a bit.

For you being as happy as you are with your ride as it is, may be a hard sell, but the CAT removal will deepen the sound just a bit with stock mufflers and you will notice less heat on the right side.  Also the passenger will thank you too.  My wife could tell the difference on the back in the right foot/leg area.

If you're interested, I can hunt up some pictures I took at the time if you want to see what I did.

Thanks and good luck with your riding!