How to Remove the Catalytic Converter 2014 Indian Chief Vintage

After looking at the Indian Chief Motorcycle chat forum I found there were numerous conversations where people were asking various questions about the catalytic exhaust system.
I decided to investigate what the Indian Chief catalytic converter is made up of and record a series of videos demonstrating how to remove the Catalytic Exhaust Section on the 2014 Indian Chief Vintage.

[@thomasnelson2463]

I always had loud pipes on my Harleys, and my original plan was to put a True Dual set with Samson slip-ons, on my Chieftain after the last payment. Since then, it's a 2016, I've gotten to really love the stock pipes. Don't hate on me, I've been on H-D's since 1982, but these really bark when you fire out on the highway, only they're quiet when you're rolling past your neighbor's late at night. Now, they wave at me with all five fingers!

[@chrismccredie3544]

Great to hear an Aussie voice to explain...well done and thanks for the tip.

[@jimrhodes3487]

bit of a bugga! noice flow there... LOL

[@froggiebeat]

Great tip mate; just removed the cat on my 2014 Chief Vintage and what a positive difference! I reckon the bike gained a few extra horsepower and dropped the engine temp. Thanks for posting!

[@waynehagler4939]

Awesome job, I'm going to do the same thing to my 2015 Chieftian, Stock mufflers with knocked out freeze plugs, stange 1 and stange 2 cams just completed. Can't wait untill I can get the time to do this. Thank you for showing how.

[@db0956-2]

I have done this exact same procedure on Harley Davidsons. I used a carbon scraper to clean the inside of the collector. This is a great low-budget mod!

[@brentwilson8985]

Bike is going great, I did put on a hi flow air cleaner, back pressure no problems, did 6,000K ride late last yeAr with no issues. Since doing the cat I have put in a set of Andrew’s cams 570’s.

[@dwsnare]

Good job matey. Didnt know these converters were jammed in their so tight. As one guy on here said, if ya buy an aftermarket full exhaust, probly wont have one, BUT, $900 US ?, thats like, $1700 AUD, lol. Ill go this avenue i think, and stick on exhaust tips, with the stage 2 cams (as you mentioned). Thanks for the vid, really helped. Sydney.

[@BA-bh3el]

Hi John way to go mate. Brent

[@cashewnut2539]

Great vid. So 5 years on, do you need to do anything else after the cat has been removed .... tune, flash the ECU, restore some back pressure, ? I have a 2017 Springfield with S1 pipes and high perf air ... do you think the sound would me much different?

[@phillombardi7978]

Well I would think it would help with heat on the right side. The sound maybe a bit louder as it's free flowing now but I would not run it without some baffles to give the motor much needed back pressure! This is the same principle as installing headers (head pipes) true duals in a sense. Nice clean job dude. Not sure if drilling it out would remove it completely but sure it would help. I'm surprised you didn't have to flash the system as it may run a bit lean. I'm sure it's a bit better on fuel. Nice work 👍

[@branded72.]

don't need back pressure! you need exhaust scavenging!!

[@davidfalgout7304]

Great Job mate! So Brett, how is the mod working out? Run cooler, no issues? Do you think this could be done with out having to flash the ECU?

[@BA-bh3el]

Hi David when I original done the cat modification I didn't flash the ecu, I have since put cams and big air cleaner in the bike we also put a power commander in and Dyno turned.

[@PaulHeagen]

Brent, I'll have a degree in fluid dynamics before I'm done researching all this! I think I'm ready to go, will probably cut and extract as you did, not drill. My question is about whether you need to add something downstream to make up for the loss of some back pressure from the cat. I hear some say it presents little or no back pressure, others say it does. Of course, back pressure is not the same as exhaust velocity, but let's not go there!

[@BA-bh3el]

Paul Heagen hi Paul a little back pressure is produced by the baffles in your muffler, I have done about 7,000Ks since the cat was omitted all is good

[@PaulHeagen]

Thanks, Brent. I may do those velocity torque cones at some point, but will try without for now. I appreciate your work and wiliness to share it.

[@jeffstieren4474]

I was wanting to know that some guys add a deflector inside the pipe to divert equal flow after removing the converter foil. It appears that from the factory there is no deflector, so my question is! Why would you need to add one after removing the foil ? Does anyone know ?

[@philwilson3140]

Nice video Brent! I just picked up a 2016 vintage with the factory stage 1 exhaust, header, stage 2 cams and air cleaner. Bike sounds great! The cams really give it a nice thump. I would be interested to hear how your bike sounds with your pipe mods and the cams once you get them done. Thanks for the effort on doing the video! Phil

[@BA-bh3el]

Phil Wilson hi Phil check out my channel and view the TS570 Cams I installed

[@Ken-ue9ny]

why not drill it out with hole saw

[@bigjoe4020]

G'day Mate, good job and great video showing how to save $1700 bucks, love it. Did you do any custom dyno tuning, since I doubt that Indian has any flashes for this mod :) Or are you waiting for the cams and then do one for all the mods ? Speaking of all the mods did you change air ? Is she running cooler on the rear cylinder ? Might go down the exact same route... Sorry about so many questions, but I gotta know :)

[@BA-bh3el]

Howdy I haven't yet received any flash turner as yet , the bike runs really well, I still have the original air cleaner. Waiting for cams,cleaner and tune kit brent

[@davidfalgout7304]

So as of now how is it working out? Would you do it again? Did it lessen the temp any?

[@liamstandish878]

Did u have to download a map afterward??

[@2023C8HTC]

To bad you cut the ceramic coated pipe.I was able to drill out the cat completely with the head pipe on the bike & only had to remove the R side muffler. Regards,Tom

[@medicmike4906]

+Tom Kelly . How where you able to completely drill out that aluminum core? or did you mean you where able to drill a hole in the core. Thanks Mike

[@2023C8HTC]

+Michael Rhymer Yes,you can completely remove the cat by drilling the head pipe on the bike.Remove the Right muffler.Pilot drill using a long a 1/4 inch drill bit & drill at 12 o'clock,6, o'clock,9,3,11.5.2,10 etc round the circle.Drill close to the pipe then the center.This will break up the honeycomb.You don't have to but,use a larger bit if you like,to break things up.The point is to be able to start the bike & blow the cat out the exhaust pipe.WEAR A MASK! It is messy.... It is a bit (pun intended)of a job but,It will come out cleaner than a whistle...... Regards,Tom

[@BA-bh3el]

Theirs no way on gods earth that got the whole cat mesh out its a Bugger of a job having full access, you may have got a little section out 👏🏻👎

[@brettreuter2394]

I know many people who did it the way Tom is saying

[@brettreuter2394]

I just did mine with a drill... after enough holes it will fall apart

[@brentwilson8985]

Hi Chris the cat is mainly ally but has tin included in the mesh

[@Balithazzarr]

What a guy

[@3967twilli]

This video didnt show shit. A waste of time.

[@kasru1990]

if I do this procedure, can I still ride on stage 1 cams?

[@BA-bh3el]

Hi mate. I still have the original cams in my bike I have done over 4,000Ks with no problem. Brent

[@Elcondeq]

I wonder if that stuff can be remove without taking the muffler/catalytic out?

[@rhill374]

i drilled mine out with a spade drill and a shop vac didn't even remove exhaust from bike

[@Monumentil]

Is it same for 2018 dark horse chieftan??

[@brentwilson8985]

Haven’t done the 2018 model, easy to check though take the front heat shield off and you should see the Cat.

[@Seancusmc]

Using the LSD filter?

[@whisperingdeath308]

After taking out the cat, did you need to install a power commander???

[@BA-bh3el]

Runs with a Fox No there is no need to put a turner in

[@whisperingdeath308]

What paint was it you used again?

[@brentwilson8985]

Engine Enamel Ceramic

[@fernievanrodrius6078]

500 degrees??

[@medicmike4906]

This might be a stupid question, but is the pipe steel or stainless steel. And will the computer need to be reflashed. Thanks Mike

[@BA-bh3el]

Hi mate sorry for the delay, the pipes are steel are haven't as yet put a tuner in waiting for cams,air cleaner. Brent

[@3360274]

If you do this, sell the insides, it has platinum in it. Worth some $$$$, they steal them off of cars when the scrap prices go up!

[@johnhoffman8465]

Wow, is there anyone in the St Paul/Minneapolis area able to do this for me, and how much would you charge?

[@db0956-2]

Did you ever get it done? I have done this for $150 here in OK, with headpipe taken off the bike.

[@chris32817]

If the Cat is made of aluminum you could have just poured a strong solution of sodium hydroxide "lye" in there and let it sit overnight. No cutting or welding needed.

[@chris32817]

@@jorgerodriguez-mp8my Walmart sells sodium hydroxide for $10.99 a pound. Take your pipes off the bike plug one end and pour a strong solution of the lye in the other end until it covers the cats. Check the internet to see what concentration you will need. Make sure its outside for ventilation. Do a youtube search for lye vs aluminum for some examples of how it works. I have never tried this but I dont see why it wouldn't work. The chemical reaction will happen and the aluminum will dissolve with the right sodium hydroxide concentration. Be careful because it will produce hydrogen.

[@garyhansford8882]

How do I contact you

[@zachary666655]

Where are you located how much do you charge to do this

[@aussie1546]

just up that hill mate....

[@artginter9253]

I did this and now I have a check engine light on on my 2014 Chief .Any idea as to.why?

[@brentwilson8985]

Check the o2 has been reconnected

[@brentwilson8985]

Sensor

[@pccoder]

Seems like after market exhaust would come without the catalytic converter.

[@CactusJack252]

And a $900 USD price tag

[@pccoder]

Finally decided against the Indian and went back to Harley.

[@pccoder]

Yea, I know. They're all such great bikes. Perhaps if Indian continues to make great bikes and Polaris doesn't decide to dump the brand, I will consider one in the future. I do believe you, all I've heard is how nice the Indians are. I just have my concerns still with the future of the brand, and Polaris' commitment.

[@therecanbeonlyonechris5019]

+Chris Kirkman Just admit it chris you have no interest in an Indian which is perfectly fine l. Choice rocks

[@therecanbeonlyonechris5019]

+Chris Kirkman with the millions Polaris has committed to indian they are most indeed commited to the brand and the thunderstroke proves it

[@teepeee44]

Brent, you didn't say how you removed the pipe end that goes into the engine cylinder. The two pipe clamps were easy, but the pipe going to the engine is all solid weld. This job is not for the average garage do it him selfer. Most of you guys know what im talking about. Trying to take it out without removing the pipe from the bike is out of the question, because pieces of the cat will inevitably fall into the crossover pipe and stay there forever. The catalytic converter is very solid when I tapped on it with a long screwdriver. It was a fail for me.

[@BA-bh3el]

Hi Chris I don't no why you could think the cat mesh could fall into the balance pipe ! Take another look at video you will see that I have removed the rear header pipe/cat converter from the balance pipe and rear cylinder. Brent

[@davidfalgout7304]

It has to be solid to endure exhaust pulses.

[@bobmac9070]

I don’t know! Maybe it me but doesn’t sound much different than my FREEDOM pipes !

[@ericdixon2898]

Isn't this illegal?

[@brentwilson8985]

Pending on ..... state

[@jerrywilson5814]

not if you dont get caught....1 inch rebar and a hammer works as well

[@A-37Bdragonfly]

Doesn't anyone speak English anymore?.…

[@adusaladee8531]

Selling this junk would solve the problem.