Catalytic Convertor and Aftermarket cans ?

I had a search and didn't find what I was after, so here goes......


My K5 650 has the cat in the rear can, so if I replace the can, it means my bike won't have a catalytic convertor.......unless aftermarket cans come with a built in cat.


Does anyone know what the situation is with aftermarket cans ?
If they don't come with a cat, and like my bike, you don't have the cat in the pipe (like the K, then essentially every aftermarket can will make my bike illegal as far as I can tell.


Is this the case ?


Cheers

[Craig380]

The cat matrix is built into the mid-section of the pipe, shortly after the headers for the front and rear cylinders merge. As long as you cut the original pipe in the right place then you don't disturb the cat and you can put on the aftermarket can (there are several how-to threads with pictures on this forum).

That's not the case on all the bikes as far as I can see. The cat is in the front end of my can. I found this out when I cut it down. I put the cat section back in place. Mines a 2005. I believe the newer bikes have 2 cats, one in the can and one in the pipe too.

I have put two aftermarket cans on my Thou' and she has never been pointed out as "illegal," so I imagine as long as you're just changing the can you are OK.

But, to be fair, my R6 has a massive Cat under the engine and this is usually replaced by some riders with a straight through system and they have never been failed an MoT

More research shows that bikes don't have emissions tested ? Seems strange, but then I've only been driving cars for near 30 years and just got into bikes.


When I cut the can, I run the bike with it all open for a laugh, yes we all do that, and the thing stunk like an old 70's Vauxhall. Once the cat was put back in, it was almost making flowers grow in my garage in comparison to what it was like without the cat.


So an aftermarket can, although wouldn't cause my bike to fail an MOT, would essentially stink out everyone behind me ? I'm not sure I like that idea.

More research shows that bikes don't have emissions tested ? Seems strange, but then I've only been driving cars for near 30 years and just got into bikes.


When I cut the can, I run the bike with it all open for a laugh, yes we all do that, and the thing stunk like an old 70's Vauxhall. Once the cat was put back in, it was almost making flowers grow in my garage in comparison to what it was like without the cat.


So an aftermarket can, although wouldn't cause my bike to fail an MOT, would essentially stink out everyone behind me ? I'm not sure I like that idea.

Originally Posted by K5Rider

More research shows that bikes don't have emissions tested ? Seems strange, but then I've only been driving cars for near 30 years and just got into bikes.


When I cut the can, I run the bike with it all open for a laugh, yes we all do that, and the thing stunk like an old 70's Vauxhall. Once the cat was put back in, it was almost making flowers grow in my garage in comparison to what it was like without the cat.


So an aftermarket can, although wouldn't cause my bike to fail an MOT, would essentially stink out everyone behind me ? I'm not sure I like that idea.

By the sounds of it your bike is running rich as it is.

My bikes always smell better than a petrol car when starting up, but, this is because the CAT is smaller and because it has less distance to travel from the engine so the warmer gases are able to keep suspended materials in the air for my nose to enjoy.

Don't get me wrong, I know they are all carcinogenic, teratogenic and generally bad, but they smell so good!

Besides, as you stated, there are no emissions tests for bikes and if they do bring them is pretty much everything pre-2009 will fail IMO.

Ha...better as in you like the smell of petrol ?
I do too, this wasn't unburnt petrol smell though, this was that old style choky smoky you get from old mgb's when they pop fart down the motorway. The cat took that away and it's all good with it in.


I originally asked just in case I have to replace my chopped can for any reason.

Originally Posted by K5Rider

Ha...better as in you like the smell of petrol ?
I do too, this wasn't unburnt petrol smell though, this was that old style choky smoky you get from old mgb's when they pop fart down the motorway. The cat took that away and it's all good with it in.


I originally asked just in case I have to replace my chopped can for any reason.

I wouldn't think so, as I said, my Thou' has after market cans and my R6 has a straight through instead of the ugly can they normally come with and I have had no issues

[DarrenSV650S]

The smell will go away after a long time as you burn away the crap in the system. When I decat'd my car I noticed the smell every time I got out but now it has gone