Author Topic: Probably Shouldn't Ask This, But  (Read 9266 times)

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fredgold52

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on: January 11, 2008, 07:25:22 pm
Can the cat converter section be removed from the stock header pipe?  I kind of like the stock muffler, but I want to get rid of the converter and the PAV stuff.  Has anybody done this removal successfully?

Thanks,
Fred
2006 '65' and a 200cc Stella, Indian all the way


BanditRE

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Reply #1 on: January 11, 2008, 07:39:38 pm
Hey Fred,

Its on my 'to-do' list for this month or next month. I got a cheap exhaust off an older bike, I think a 99, which had no cat converter and no little nipple thing on it for the PAV stuff. That way I can remove all the EPA garbage on it and it'll run infinitely better!

Back to your question, I think you can remove the convertor. There's another topic on here somewhere that deals with it. Some weld removal and the whole thing slides out of the exhaust pipe. Be aware that you may need to change the jets in your carb, as the increased exhaust flow may cause you to run a little leaner than stock.

You should always ask! No 'buts' about it.

Paul

Paul
2007 Military 500ES. 2007 Yamaha Royal Star Tour Deluxe


fredgold52

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Reply #2 on: January 11, 2008, 09:50:33 pm
My plan (for when it gets warmer) is to pull out the converter and check the stock muffler to see if it's straight through.  If it isn't, it probably will be.  Then on to the PAV stuff.  Blanking off the nipple on the pipe and the vacuum fitting on the carb manifold, venting the engine breather to atmosphere, and so on.  I want the bike to run the way it was originally intended.
2006 '65' and a 200cc Stella, Indian all the way


BanditRE

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Reply #3 on: January 11, 2008, 09:52:46 pm
Amen brother. Enfields were not intended for cat convertors and pulsed air systems.
2007 Military 500ES. 2007 Yamaha Royal Star Tour Deluxe


Leonard

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Reply #4 on: January 11, 2008, 10:51:35 pm
  I posted some photos on my blog at http://wil6831.multiply.com/journal/item/579/REB_Exhaust_System
  If you can't get on there OK let me know and I will resize the pics and post them here.
The cat converter is pretty easy to cut out, just cut or grind the welds off and it should pull right out.  When I got a new header and muffler I removed the converter from the stock system and also chopped a one foot section out of the stock muffler.  All just for the heck of it, wanted to see how it sounded.
  It isn't a free flowing as the shorty muffler but it frees thing up a bit.  As you can see the stock muffler is quite the maze of plumbing.

Can the cat converter section be removed from the stock header pipe?  I kind of like the stock muffler, but I want to get rid of the converter and the PAV stuff.  Has anybody done this removal successfully?

Thanks,
Fred
2009 Triumph Bonneville T100
2004 Royal Enfield Sixty-5 (RIP)
2001 Kawasaki W650 (going, going...gone)
http://www.romeoriders.com


fredgold52

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Reply #5 on: January 11, 2008, 11:24:53 pm
Thanks Leonard, that's very helpful.  I don't know what I'll do about the muffler.  The choices are; 1. leave it alone, 2. modify it, 3. replace it.  Have to see how this goes.

2006 '65' and a 200cc Stella, Indian all the way


Thumper

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Reply #6 on: January 12, 2008, 12:44:43 am
  I posted some photos on my blog at http://wil6831.multiply.com/journal/item/579/REB_Exhaust_System
  If you can't get on there OK let me know and I will resize the pics and post them here.
The cat converter is pretty easy to cut out, just cut or grind the welds off and it should pull right out.  When I got a new header and muffler I removed the converter from the stock system and also chopped a one foot section out of the stock muffler.  All just for the heck of it, wanted to see how it sounded.
  It isn't a free flowing as the shorty muffler but it frees thing up a bit.  As you can see the stock muffler is quite the maze of plumbing.

Can the cat converter section be removed from the stock header pipe?  I kind of like the stock muffler, but I want to get rid of the converter and the PAV stuff.  Has anybody done this removal successfully?

Thanks,
Fred

There's also some notes I took regarding the PAV removal at:

http://members.verizon.net/allofusmorrows/PerfUpgrade.htm

Matt


fredgold52

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Reply #7 on: January 12, 2008, 01:59:46 pm
Thanks Thumper.  That's a very complete write up.
2006 '65' and a 200cc Stella, Indian all the way


dogbone

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Reply #8 on: January 12, 2008, 02:27:55 pm
Fredgold52   I tried to knock out the standard muffler baffles, all I accomplished was to create a rattle !
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fredgold52

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Reply #9 on: January 12, 2008, 03:51:52 pm
I have done that with other mufflers too, Dogbone.  I really don't want a muffler that has a rattle in it, but I need to watch the dollars.  I will try the engine with just the converter removed and some jetting work on the carb.  That may be all it needs as it runs pretty much to suit me right now.
2006 '65' and a 200cc Stella, Indian all the way


Leonard

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Reply #10 on: January 12, 2008, 05:16:05 pm
Fred,
  I will say that the stock muffler, after 2000 miles, was starting to sound less like my lawn mower and more like a motorcycle.  You got a new bike didn't you?  Here is some unsolicited advice for you.........don't change anything until you get a couple thousand miles on it.  If it is like mine you will have enough to do tweaking what you have without adding new stuff.  In hindsite I would also advise pulling the throttle assembly off and taking a look at how that works and decide if you need to do some filing on the part the cable fits into.  It should rotate freely and if it doesn't you will be breaking the cable in short order.  Most important of all when the roads are clear ride, ride, ride.  By the time Spring rolls around you should have it run in and can start having some real fun.
-Leonard
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2004 Royal Enfield Sixty-5 (RIP)
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Foggy_Auggie

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Reply #11 on: January 12, 2008, 07:01:00 pm
Fred,
  I will say that the stock muffler, after 2000 miles, was starting to sound less like my lawn mower and more like a motorcycle.  You got a new bike didn't you?  Here is some unsolicited advice for you.........don't change anything until you get a couple thousand miles on it.  If it is like mine you will have enough to do tweaking what you have without adding new stuff.  In hindsite I would also advise pulling the throttle assembly off and taking a look at how that works and decide if you need to do some filing on the part the cable fits into.  It should rotate freely and if it doesn't you will be breaking the cable in short order.  Most important of all when the roads are clear ride, ride, ride.  By the time Spring rolls around you should have it run in and can start having some real fun.
-Leonard

I second what Leonard says.  Put 2000 miles on it and don't monkey with anything unless there seems an issue with an item.  Other than mounting external accesseries.

My two pennies worth.

Regards, Foggy
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fredgold52

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Reply #12 on: January 12, 2008, 10:10:26 pm
Thanks for the advice guys.  I know I should take it.  In fact, I may take it.  Then again, , , ,


Just had it out for a few miles.  I would say there's some crud in the low speed jet since it hesitates and wants to starve for fuel even after it is warm.  It does run well with hte choke on however.  Now I can just clean the carb out and maybe install a fuel filter, or I could up jet both the main and the low speed and grind the converter out of it.

So what it comes down to is either just clean the carb and take these good peoples advice, or take advantage of the carb being off to change the jets and exit the cat.  Boy, this is a tough one.  Am I a strong enough person to do the right thing here?  Geeze, I just don't know.

Thank you guys again for your good advice.  I will be going through the tuning, timing and valves on my honey just to be sure they are right.

Leonard, yes it is a brand new 2006 '65' with only 18 miles on it two days ago.  Now it has 126 miles.  It's pretty cold over here so riding isn't what it could be.
2006 '65' and a 200cc Stella, Indian all the way


BanditRE

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Reply #13 on: January 13, 2008, 01:00:54 am
That's good advice about the mileage. Mine has about 1800 miles on it and I haven't really done anything but maintenance. There's plenty to do during break-in. Plus the bike changes alot during the first 1000 miles or so. I'm not sure how your dealer is, but if something goes BANG and you take it in and the bike isn't stock anymore, he could wiggle out of doing the repairs. You know, it was the owners fault, not my problem. What you're proposing isn't terribly serious in nature but you may want to wait a while before tinkering....................yes, I know its hard!
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fredgold52

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Reply #14 on: January 13, 2008, 12:21:47 pm
Bandit, my dealer is non-existant.  Here's a short story about why I will never take my bike back to him. 

I called him the evening before to let him know I would be picking the bike up around noon the next day.  When I got there, my 65 was sitting exactly where it had been a month earlier, but all the little chinese bikes and the Electra were gone.  I ask him where the Electra was and he said he'd be getting it back because it didn't bring enough at the AUCTION.

He had forgotten to order the $500 worth of parts and accreeories I asked for.  The bike still had 2 years worth of dust and crud on it.  Battery was flat.  Tires had 5 to 10 lbs pressure.  As I looked around his shop, most of the bikes in there were in various stages of taken apart.  A Deluxe model was against the back wall with it's top end off.  Looked like it had been that way for a very long time.  I asked the dealer before I left about the oil - he said it was fine.  I checked the oil level the next day.  It took 3/4 of a qt. to put the level half way up the stick.  I had ridden my new Bullet its first 60 miles dangerously low on oil.

I have no dealer very close at all so I am prepared to do all the work this bike requires my self.  I figured it would be this way when I bought it, and actually that's fine with me.  I trust me much more than I would trust hime to get things right.

Sorry about the negative post, but this is how the thing went down.  I have honestly never seen such a poor excuse for a bike dealer.  But, any of you looking for a cheap Electra might want to call him.
« Last Edit: January 13, 2008, 12:43:42 pm by fredgold52 »
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