Cat removal on my '17 ST " how to"

Lux

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Joined
Jun 16, 2018
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64
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St. Petersburg, Florida
I just went for a ride after I de-catted. I agree, slightly deeper exhaust note but not louder in my opinion. It seems the engine is quieter cruising down the road with better roll on performance. Runs a little cooler in traffic (hard to say when the feels like is 105!). Overall I like change as it seems to allow the engine to work a little easier and provide some added fun. Monday the Delkevic carbon can should arrive. Not expecting any gains there but losing 11 pounds moving from the stocker is always welcome. Who knows, with a few more weight saving mods I could be around a quarter ton : )
 

Mak10

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Aug 20, 2018
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SE Idaho
I just went for a ride after I de-catted. I agree, slightly deeper exhaust note but not louder in my opinion. It seems the engine is quieter cruising down the road with better roll on performance. Runs a little cooler in traffic (hard to say when the feels like is 105!). Overall I like change as it seems to allow the engine to work a little easier and provide some added fun. Monday the Delkevic carbon can should arrive. Not expecting any gains there but losing 11 pounds moving from the stocker is always welcome. Who knows, with a few more weight saving mods I could be around a quarter ton : )
Did you reflash or change the fueling?
 

Lux

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Jun 16, 2018
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64
Location
St. Petersburg, Florida
Yes, I had a reflash prior to the change but the bike was stock at the time. I wrote to Anthony and he said if the bike seems to run ok, not to worry about a reflash to the current spec. I don't think a decat is that much of change, I'm confidant the ECU can adjust for it.
 

Scoti49

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Mar 29, 2019
Messages
33
Nice welding .
Im a retired welder (amongst other trades ),and Tech Collage Teacher .

I have a Lincoln MiG but no TiG ,bummer .
 

stutrump

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Jul 25, 2013
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london uk
Greaf write up lukasteam and very jnteresting. Wish I could weld like you...in fact, I just wish I could weld
 

Stantdm

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Jan 23, 2020
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Belle Fourche South Dakota
I live where there are no emissions testing requirements but if I did I would find out how this removal is going to effect passing the test. Heck, I don't even know if motorcycles have to have an emission test in States where it is required of automobiles. Texas exempts cycles from testing. North Carolina has a inspection law but doesn't mention checking emissions. It seems to vary a lot.
 

shredmeister

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Oct 24, 2014
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271
Location
Redding, CA
[/QUOTE]
I got around to doing this on my bike. I should have done it sooner. Bike runs much cooler, revs much quicker and by butt-dynometer has more power.

Running this with a Delkevik and it is more “thumper” sounding. Not really louder. With the baffle removed it is loud.
Good mod.
Do you have a reflash?
 

jbrown

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Sep 25, 2012
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373
Location
Novato, CA
I don't know of any states that currently require periodic emission testing of motorcycles. But it is against federal law to remove emissions equipment. It seems to me that wholesale removal will inevitably lead to laws requiring testing. Bikes are dirtier than cars now, and it is only the smaller numbers that protect us against really irritating laws. (I hate paying for $60 tests every two years for cars that always pass!)
 

Jlq1969

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May 5, 2018
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1,749
Location
Argentina
Instead of destroying the cat, wouldn't it be better to replace it with a flanged tube? ... so when there is a revision to be made, the cat would be put back on
 

madman4049

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Sep 10, 2018
Messages
128
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Northwest Louisiana
I don't know of any states that currently require periodic emission testing of motorcycles. But it is against federal law to remove emissions equipment. It seems to me that wholesale removal will inevitably lead to laws requiring testing. Bikes are dirtier than cars now, and it is only the smaller numbers that protect us against really irritating laws. (I hate paying for $60 tests every two years for cars that always pass!)
Whose gonna know? Especially if it's under a skid plate or in the case of sport bikes cowling. Besides we'll see it coming ahead of time and I tend to operate under the notion that it's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission. Too many rules already, gotta break a few every now and then to keep things balanced;) Besides that automotive emmisions test, inspection window sticker bullshit is all a scam to make money it's not actually for the environment.
 

Kruzzin5

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Oct 14, 2019
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415
Location
Newmarket, Ontario
Hello guys ,
This my quick tudor/experience for the folks that want to get rid of the catalytic converter from the stock headers . I did it and can't be happier . First I saved the money because Arrow headers cost $300 online , second I got better results than I expected . Motor runs so much smoother and cooler , I also noticed the bike now revs faster and so effortless and that's just what I noticed right away after a quick couple hour test ride .
Bike is not much louder maybe 3-5db's , but a little deeper , but I still have a stock can and thats another choker that I need to change in a near future .
Also stock headers ID is the same as Arrows , stock headers pipes are stainless , just the part where cat sits is carbon steel and once the cat is removed that cavity becomes like a little gas expansion chamber which Arrows don't have and that might help the exhaust gas flow even more , but don't count me in that since I'm not the expert and I can't claim any gains from this mod .
I would love to do that! I just don’t know if the local Midas muffler would weld it back up. If I cut the CAT off and can’t find anyone to weld it back up...

I guess I could learn how to weld by taking a course.
Hmmm
 

Mak10

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Aug 20, 2018
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Location
SE Idaho
This is a good write up on a mod for the bike. It never ceases to amaze me how people poo-poo on write ups.

If people never tinkered and searched for performance upgrades, we would be all driving the same bland machines-probably a model t. Racing? Forget that.

Technically flashing the ecu, putting on a different muffler, changing the factory lighting, modifications to the air box could all be deemed illegal.

If you don’t want to modify your bike-don’t. Start your own thread about the social ills of modifications to the bike. But please don’t shit on guys making good write ups on good modifications to the Tenere.

Rant over.
 

lukasteam

Life is beautiful !!!
Joined
Sep 22, 2013
Messages
155
Location
Naperville , IL
I would love to do that! I just don’t know if the local Midas muffler would weld it back up. If I cut the CAT off and can’t find anyone to weld it back up...

I guess I could learn how to weld by taking a course.
Hmmm
I'm sure somebody would weld it up for you . Keep your options open since there are many : muffler shops , metal fab shops , hot rod garages etc. Just mark it very well , so it can be put together exactly how it was . Do it , I promise you going to love it !!!
 
B

ballisticexchris

Guest
I don't know of any states that currently require periodic emission testing of motorcycles. But it is against federal law to remove emissions equipment. It seems to me that wholesale removal will inevitably lead to laws requiring testing. Bikes are dirtier than cars now, and it is only the smaller numbers that protect us against really irritating laws. (I hate paying for $60 tests every two years for cars that always pass!)
How very true. In CA they usually impound your bike if caught tampering with the emissions in any way. And yes you will get caught. The law dogs in my county are very sharp and can spot violations right away. The only saving grace are the cops that just issue a fix it ticket for you to correct it. BTW, an emissions "fix it ticket" is a 5000.00 fine on top of the correction. This is set forth by the California Environmental Protection Agency Air Resources Board (CARB) under H&SC 43151-43153.


This is a good write up on a mod for the bike. It never ceases to amaze me how people poo-poo on write ups.

If people never tinkered and searched for performance upgrades, we would be all driving the same bland machines-probably a model t. Racing? Forget that.

Technically flashing the ecu, putting on a different muffler, changing the factory lighting, modifications to the air box could all be deemed illegal.

If you don’t want to modify your bike-don’t. Start your own thread about the social ills of modifications to the bike. But please don’t shit on guys making good write ups on good modifications to the Tenere.

Rant over.
I would not be too hard on the guys pointing out the disadvantages of this modification. A lot of us live in states and countries that will ticket and in some cases impound bikes with any kind of alteration to the DOT required equipment and emissions or exhaust. We have quite a few motor cops locally that can find that kind of stuff right away. A dead giveaway to hollowed out cats is the ping test. The only reason I went with the Yoshimura exhaust is because it meets the DOT and emission requirements. I don't need the hassle of looking over my shoulder all the time because I'm breaking the law.
 

madman4049

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Joined
Sep 10, 2018
Messages
128
Location
Northwest Louisiana
How very true. In CA they usually impound your bike if caught tampering with the emissions in any way. And yes you will get caught. The law dogs in my county are very sharp and can spot violations right away. The only saving grace are the cops that just issue a fix it ticket for you to correct it. BTW, an emissions "fix it ticket" is a 5000.00 fine on top of the correction. This is set forth by the California Environmental Protection Agency Air Resources Board (CARB) under H&SC 43151-43153.




I would not be too hard on the guys pointing out the disadvantages of this modification. A lot of us live in states and countries that will ticket and in some cases impound bikes with any kind of alteration to the DOT required equipment and emissions or exhaust. We have quite a few motor cops locally that can find that kind of stuff right away. A dead giveaway to hollowed out cats is the ping test. The only reason I went with the Yoshimura exhaust is because it meets the DOT and emission requirements. I don't need the hassle of looking over my shoulder all the time because I'm breaking the law.
Well it's California lol, no hard feelings but California sucks... My brother lives there and you couldn't pay me to go there for anything other than a short vacation/visit.
 

Mak10

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Aug 20, 2018
Messages
2,567
Location
SE Idaho
“This mod is legal in California only for racing vehicles which may never be used, registered or licensed for use upon a highway.”
Arrow headers.

Reason #5,023,698 why living in California sucks

ECU reflash is equally illegal in California
 
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