I'm interested to see what is the most effective system to reduce engine heat on my new Ultra Classic.  Whilst its a touring bike, there is the odd occasion we are going to be in traffic.  I have turned on the EITMS on but haven't seen it in action yet.  Dealer never told me about it.  Has anyone installed a fan that replaces the horn?  I have also heard mixed reports about ceramic pipes.  

Cooling fans only remove some of the heat, they don't remove the cause. (look out right leg, here it comes !)

Like the other lads have said, let the donk breathe and richen the AFR.

The original headers are good after the cat has been removed, then it's simply a matter of choosing suitable slip-ons to your liking.

There's plenty to choose from.

If ya wanna stick close ta the HD home with out attracting the noise police and still have plenty of flow, the Screamin Eagle 4 inch Touring mufflers are pretty good. 

Whether you go that way, or fit a complete exhaust system, you'll also have to buy a tuner to re-tune to suit.

Result,,, exhaust note of your choice, cooler running engine, improved performance.

 I am already running the screaming eagle 4" pipes with a stage 1 tuning kit.  If I have the cat removed, will I need to have the bike retuned or will the stage 1 be suffice.  

Ya prolly won't know until ya remove it.

There's a lot of threads on different forums regarding cat removal by different folk, and quite a lot state that they didn't have to retune after doing the job.

The later ECM's are apparently quite capable of adjusting for the change so long as they're still running in closed loop.

As well as the reduced heat, some of the guys have said that power has also increased without touching the tune,,,,,

My guess is that it would depend upon what you have already done,,,, stage one tuning kit ?    If that means air cleaner and mufflers only, then simply try it after the cat is gone,,, you'll soon know if you will need to re-tune.

If you already have a tuner,,, (stage one tuning kit) ?    then why not use it to re-tune for optimum performance.

I would think that removing the cat would allow more exhast gas flow, hence allowing a richer AFR to be set resulting in cooler running temps.

Remove the CAT and your heat issue will be reduced significantly, I would fine tune after CAT removal as the flow would be a lot less restricted.

Its quite easy to do and if you know somebody with a Tig welder that would be the best option, Purge Tig weld would give you an outstanding Job.
Here is a picture of a modified header, do not grind the welds after welding as it will cause stress fractures when the header heats up. 





 

I started a thread regarding removing the cat and active exhaust valve , (on stock header pipes), awhile ago.    Bike is a 2009 flht electra glide , stage 1.    As I said in the thread,   2009 and earlier models have the o2 sensors up near the cylinders, 2010 to present were changed to heated smaller o2 sensors, located down near the cat.    Now there is term , (will call it cross talk),  between o2 sensors.  On my 2009 flht , I did my research and was told that because the o2 sensors were up near the jugs, I would'nt have any tuning problems removing the cat.  I can personally say the bike has had zero problems with the cat removed, and the heat , which was'nt a problem for me, is now defintely not a problem.  An added positve is a deeper sounding exhaust.  I had an experinced tuner check the tune of my bike, (5000 kms ago), he said don't change a thing,  The author is asking a question regarding a later ,(2010 up) model.  As this was not a problem for me, removing the cat where the o2 sensors are located lower on the header pipe closer to the cat,  I have read can cause cross talk problems, (ie, tuning problems).   As many people remove stock header pipes etc, with no cat,  there must be remedies to correct this cross talk problem on later model tourers.

If anyone has experience with removing cat from 2010 and later model tourers, I personally  , (and I think the aurthor) would like to hear your experiences with tuning your bike. Cheers Guys.

You are correct the o2 sensors are located lower on the header pipe closer to the cat, right beside the gear casing,  I have also read this can cause cross talk problems, not sure how true this is though but an easy fix is to drill a hole about 150mm from the exhaust port on the front header (on the heatshield side) to attach probe on the dyno machine to gather data for tuning. Tapered plug with 2422 loctite will seal plug to pipe.

Heat shield will cover plug and this can be  re used for future timing if any other mods are done.

Check this out! I have Jasons fan on my '03 Electra Glide Classic.------ Best thing I ever did and thermostatically operated even in +40 degrees I don't overheat. This little guy has done his research and come up with a great product. My cylinder head temp  has dropped significantly (this is where the heat is generated and causes the oil temp to rise). I do not find the heated air blowing out the right side unbearable. 67 CFM.

http://www.wardspartswerks.com/cooling-fans.html

I put on some Xied's and am quite pleased with the results as well http://sales.nightrider.com/XiED-Fuel-Management_c_1.html

My bike runs at 120c at 25 degree day on the open rd. Climbs a bit when you hit the hills but settles when the throttle is steady.

Did the cat gut and flapper valve on my 2010 RK. s&s slip ons and high flow air cleaner. Power Vision with map from Fuel Moto and no more heat at all. Wife hated the heat from the bike and I could feel it. Best thing I ever did. Bike runs a lot smoother, more power and nice note just not too loud.

Chaser
Believe what you want with all of the subjective claims of reduced temperature, improved performance and change in exhaust sound when you remove the catalytic converter - personally I did not any difference on my 2012 Street glide when I removed the cat - it still ran uncomfortably hot,performed and sounded the same.

No doubt my comments will draw some crabs without any supporting documentation.

Mine runs hot . So hot on a hot summers day ( Adelaide 43 deg hot !! ) , that the pillion right footboard transfers heat through to a boot .

But I wouldn,t swap the bike for anything .

Ahhhh Tim, I know those days, mate!

+1 for headers without cat and tune to make a little richer