2010 Cats : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

Coupe55 · 08-15-2009, 02:12 PM

Well it finally happened Harley now puts the catalytic converter on the 2010's. Don't know which models but my 2010 Tri Glide has one. I am concerned about extended engine life with that device holding back the extra heat. How about it any high milage CVO's out there with the Twin Cam 103, really any twin cams with above 50 K and no heat related engine damage.

Just curious to see how the catalytic converter effects extended engine service!

Has anybody experiened any heat related problems due to the cat?

Texas Tom · 08-16-2009, 08:13 AM

California and international models have had cats for a few years I know someone who recently bought a 09 trike few months back it didn`t have cats ,he did a stage one last week and put V&H pipes on it,be curious if taking the cats off would be illegal,in my neck of the woods finding a harley with stock exhaust is hard to do...

Coupe55 · 08-16-2009, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texas Tom

California and international models have had cats for a few years I know someone who recently bought a 09 trike few months back it didn`t have cats ,he did a stage one last week and put V&H pipes on it,be curious if taking the cats off would be illegal,in my neck of the woods finding a harley with stock exhaust is hard to do...

No as you said none of the lower 48 bikes/trikes had the Catalytic Converter, just the Cali, CVO and Exports. It seems Harley went all cats for 2010 or for most models anyway. Yes I believe it is illegal to remove a Cat from the exhaust system but it is also illegal to remove a mattress tag so I'll chance it if they are a major contributer to heat related premature engine damage.

That is why I am curious to how the CVO and California bikes are holding up. It is the only way to cut through the hype and get a real world evaluation of how the Cats are effecting extended engine life.

I believe the 2010's went with a 4 wire 02 sensor sometimes referred to as a wide band. You could do exhaust mods before on the Harley's and not trip the check engine light or set a trouble code. I am interested to see if you get to far outside the parameters now if you risk tripping the check engine light or setting an trouble code. I imagine there will be a fix included in a new map if that is the case.

To not confuse the thread objective though I would just like to see some odometer readings on the Cali, CVO bikes. They have been around long enough to get some feedback as per extended engine life or early heat related engine failure.

Rigidthumper · 08-16-2009, 11:42 AM

They switched to a heated narrow band sensor on the 2010s, that's why the extra wires. The cats helped them meet EPA specs for 2010, and should get them through 2011.
Removing the cats may not be an option for the 2010 touring models, due to reversion effects on the 02 sensors.
Robin

Coupe55 · 08-16-2009, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rigidthumper

They switched to a heated narrow band sensor on the 2010s, that's why the extra wires. The cats helped them meet EPA specs for 2010, and should get them through 2011.
Removing the cats may not be an option for the 2010 touring models, due to reversion effects on the 02 sensors.
Robin

I had it backwards, the 4 wire being the narrow band may mean narrow parameters and may trip the check engine light! I think I will take a wait see approach, somebody will skin that cat and we should be able to find out how the EMC compensates for it.

Coupe55 · 08-26-2009, 02:42 PM

This may be a loaded question or it may just be from the fact that there is a higher ratio of non CVO Bikes. I was hoping to get some feedback on engine life expectancy or some odometer numbers on CVO Bikes with the catalytic converter. Just curious to know if the Cats were effecting extented engine life. Any high milage CVO's out there? Still debating if it is worth losing the cat. California models and European export Harley's fine also, as long as it has a cat.

rmmccon · 09-10-2009, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coupe55

To not confuse the thread objective though I would just like to see some odometer readings on the Cali, CVO bikes. They have been around long enough to get some feedback as per extended engine life or early heat related engine failure.

I have an '08 CVO 110" and have 26K miles. The only problem I have encountered was the head gasket issue at 16k miles.

bwana01 · 09-10-2009, 10:18 PM

Hate to burst anyone's bubble, but all HDs have had a cat in the front cylinder muffler since 2006 and Cali bikes before that.

I have spent hours trying to remove them from stock mufflers, but about all you can do is punch a hole through them.

Bwana

TriLs · 09-11-2009, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texas Tom

California and international models have had cats for a few years I know someone who recently bought a 09 trike few months back it didn`t have cats ,he did a stage one last week and put V&H pipes on it,be curious if taking the cats off would be illegal,in my neck of the woods finding a harley with stock exhaust is hard to do...

That is exactly what I'll be doing in 2 weeks with my '09 Tri. The parts are in, I just have some separation anxiety...

It would be interesting to compare notes with him and see if our results differ significantly. Is he on VTF?

Coupe55 · 09-11-2009, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmmccon

I have an '08 CVO 110" and have 26K miles. The only problem I have encountered was the head gasket issue at 16k miles.

That is the info I am getting on other forums also, head problems. Rear cylinder most times, head gasket, leaking heads, warped heads "probably what caused the Gasket to fail". The different cooling rate between the head and the cylinder may be causing some movement there as both disapate heat now at different rates. The cylinder bottom and walls is getting a good oil bath and is cooler than the head. The heads are getting awful hot on the catalytic converter bikes.

The lower 48 bike's without the cats do not seem to be turning in the same number of rear cylinder head problems or as early.

Texas Tom · 09-11-2009, 03:55 PM

Trils,I dont think he is on VTF just an old biker lost his leg in Nam (below the knee) rides an old shovel its just got to the point with his artificial leg he cant hold a bike up so bought the tri glide,I know he put V&H slipons S/E A/C along with the S.E.R.T. Think he had it done before he picked it up so probably wouldnt have a comparison for you..good luck with it his is red nice machine...

wuzrice · 11-06-2009, 10:41 PM

Greetings.
Just turned 1000 miles on my SE Ultra/ cat still in place.
The main problem I can see with the cat is that is ROBS POWER. Especially low end, when the 110 is just starting to breath! there's a company out there who will remove it from the head pipe, and send it back re welded...

ultraplusrotax · 11-08-2009, 02:11 PM

International version Ultra 2004 with cat, no changes, no failures, low consumption, traded in at 61070 miles (97715 km in Europe)
Negatif side; - during summer disturbes the rider in city-traffic at the stoplights. - discoloration in the middle of the muffler where the cat sit.
Problem with the CVO; higher compression = more heat. Avoid those bio-fuels, they ruin the performance of tuned engines, a CVO deserves better fuel. Damned Green-ones!
In February delivery of my new Ultra "96", I honestly doubt that it will be as good as the 2004 "88". It's a pity.

brwk · 11-09-2009, 02:14 PM

My 08 110 had no Cats on delivery and I had the rear leak issue @ 5200 miles. Dont think Cats have too much to do with the head issue.