The catalectomy, or catalystioplasty is complete...

[cricman]

Thanks to the pioneer, Yellowjacket, I completed the process of gutting the catalytic converter. Okay, you don't actually gut it, but rather remove the titanium coated steel honeycomb. The process was rather straight forward, and I lucked out in several ways...

Yellowjacket had posted several pics of a successful modification, so I followed his process with little deviation. Cutting the door, and removing the catalyst are relatively straightforward.

A friend I work with makes choppers as a second business (Alley Cat Choppers) and has a Miller Synchrowave TIG welder. I supplied the 308 stainless filler rod, and he did most of the work. He did a great job on the vertical welds, which were gaps about 1/16" wide. We both learned about welding thin gauge stainless steel.

Yellowjacket informed me that removal of the stock converter might be difficult, but mine jiggled right off with little force. Installing the gutted cat took a little work, only because I had to open up the inlet pipes and move the left header pipe for proper alignment. Once started, installation was a breeze.

Here is a link to some pictures of the cat on my web page:

http://webpages.charter.net/cricman/motorcycle


As far as performance and other impressions, there isn't a lot to say. I didn't weigh the cat before and after, but just a lift test didn't feel like there is a great weight savings. The sound is actually a bit different. Not louder, but a you can hear the exhaust impulses. I guess this is because the buffering effect of the catalyst is removed, and the exhaust impulses reflect off of the back of the cat, without hindrance. The pulses are a low frequency "bub-bub-bub-bub" sound. As far as performance, I'm not noting any seat of the pants difference; but then again, I'm a big guy who doesn't think the RR is great performer for those of us over 250 pounds. I'm 265 and carry both system cases and a pelican topcase rig with 20 pounds of work gear. The throttle response may be a tad livlier. I'm going to watch the mileage over a couple of tank to see what that reveals. Perhaps a few more miles per gallon? I also assume that the heat stored by the catalyst will no longer be a problem.

All in all, an interesting project. I paid $30 for the cat, and $12 for the filler rod (I gave it all to my friend for his services). I'm sure a straight Y-Pipe makes a greater in sound, weight, and performance, but I'm a cheap Scottish SOB and didn't feel like spending several hundred dollars. Would I recommend the project? Sure, why not! I don't think it will hurt performance or reliability in any way. I will say that I am hooked on TIG welding, and will shell out some money to get a nice little DC TIG set-up.

Later,

cricman

[DJ Downunder]

Nice job...thanks for the post........and pics..

DJ

[Doug]

Hey with your new TIG skills, maybe you can make your own y-pipe, just watch American Chopper once for the how-to.