Aftermarket Exhaust--Yes or No?

[tlwood28]

Thanks everyone, and particularly Dr. S, Hank and Jfslater for posting pictures. They really help a lot.

When it warms up a bit and I'm able I am going to take the can off and try just the tip and see how it goes. I really appreciate all the good advice.

Thanks

Tom W.

[Remow2112]

I will offer the following and I have done it to my bike. Drop the muffler like all have suggested then gut the cat. You need someone who can weld once you gut the cat but it is worth it. Just the heat savings of the cat roasting you tranny is worth the effort. I also saw about 1.5 mpg increase on the highway after this mod. It is little loud but by no means obnoxious.

Dan...

[AirForceDirt]

Okay, so I have to ask this, and I'm sure someone has to know the answer (cue CycleRob and boxermania):

All this fuss about the heat under the tranny from the cat..Has anyone ever found any proof that this heat causes problems? Because, since the invention of the catalytic converter, people have known it puts off a lot of heat, and since I don't think (i don't know for sure) that this is the first time anyone has ever put the cat in such close proximity to the tranny (I know, everything is in close proximity to everything else on a motorcycle), I can't imagine the heat has any noticeable effects. It might warm up the tranny when its a cold day though, but I don't see that as bad. So will someone please enlighten me?

[Remow2112]

I think the heat thing is more of a general good idea. If you are running synthetic in your tranny it won't be an issue. Synthetic handles heat very well. Heat for dino products causes them to break down quick and lose lubricity. Your location has a lot to do with it. In Arizona, where I am, it can be 110-115 degree riding conditions.

If you change the oil in the tranny with every oil change or every other it would, most likely, never be an issue. But as a general rule the cooler the fluid the better off for the item it is protecting. Discovered in AZ years ago the the trick to keeping automatic trannys alive is a large tranny cooler and not counting on the one at the bottom of the radiator.

YMMV,
Dan...