| Author | Message | ||
     Dj_engine |
I decided I could live with the velocity stack, the finicky idle, and the low stock bars for a while and just ride. I've just ticked over 150 miles since I got it, and for some weird reason, it's getting better. Do the ECM's learn as you drive them? Before I got it, it sat idle except for the monthly startup. It wouldn't idle when cold, but now it seems to be OK. Power delivery is fantastic and linear, but the suspension feels weird. If I'm cornering aggressively (steep bank, hanging off a little) there's kind of a low-frequency wobble to it. Maybe I'm not used to the bike, maybe I'm crap at riding, maybe the suspension's not set up correctly for my weight, maybe all of the above. Still though, I feel safe on it. No shimmy or weird sounds, other than the usual Harley textile factory noises. Deceleration causes a pop-pop-popping, from the pipe I think, not the header-to-exhaust port interface. I'm not much of a wheelie person, but the legendary torque wheelies brought on by twisting the throttle have yet to materialize. Not that it bothers me. If I looped this bike, I'd be really bummed out. So far, it's been a good daily driver. Gets a little warm on the undercarriage (mine) when I sit at lights on hot days. I wish it had an actual temperature gauge. Maybe I can hack something together from some old aircraft cylinder head temp sensors. I think the brake pads are getting thin, but I need my airtech air cleaner to come in so I can put it on before dropping the bike off at Bartels for new fluids, tune up, tps reset, brake pads, and plugs. Last week, I was on vacation in Detroit. Parked the bike in my garage. hasn't leaked a drop. And yes, there is oil in it, I looked. So far so good, but my wish list at American Sportbike grows at an alarming rate. | ||
| Wile_ecoyote |
Yes the ECM's learn. I did not know it but another Badwebber showed me the way. Pop pop pop is normal round here. You should do all the above yourself and have them do a TPS reset. Easy to work on. I love mine. I thought I bought all I could from Al, but alas, my list will never end. Great people to deal with, you'll love them. Good prices, quality products and fast ship. Good luck. | ||
| Wile_ecoyote |
By the way, mine wont idle at first till she's warm. Kinda like, well nevermind..... | ||
| Mmmi_grad |
I just have to give mine a few blips of the thottle and the bike should idle. If not you should adjust it. You should also order some timing cover rivits or have the shop set the timing when they do the tps reset. And if you didnt know go read this http://www.saintjohn.nbcc.nb.ca/marriott/x1/ | ||
| Warlizard |
DJ - I use the HD oil temp gauge for Sportsters. It was 25$ and just replaces factory dipstick. You have to take seat of to see it, There are other gauges available but are more involved and expensive. I find bike usually runs between 200 - 250 degrees. Never had any heat related issues though my right leg is permanently red and numb, I just hope the numbness doesn't work its way up my leg - haha. | ||
| Bad_karma |
John Take a good look at your rear shock, that could be your source of the low frequency wobble.Make sure you don't have an exhaust leak causing the popping. These things should not leak oil. Joe | ||
| Djkaplan |
"Maybe I'm not used to the bike, maybe I'm crap at riding, maybe the suspension's not set up correctly for my weight, maybe all of the above." That's a pretty good assesment... I'd definitely check the shock, as suggested, to make sure it hasn't leaked out all it's vital fluids. Also... I was pretty wobbly at speed when my bike was new and fairly dialed. I was hanging off, chopping the throttle, not braking smoothly (at all), and generally riding way over my head, but thankfully still going slow enough to stay out of trouble. The key to smoothness was planting my butt down, learning the bike, and letting it's great agility and stability show the way. Then I gradually started hanging off and dragging parts. It took awhile, but I alway remember being wobbly and nervous at first. This was my first v-twin, too... that may have been a factor. | ||
| Djkaplan |
Get rid of that velocity stack, btw, and get a proper filter. | ||
| Dj_engine |
The velocity stack is now gone. I got the Airtech Streamlining airbox with the UNI filter. My first fun with fiberglass. can be seen at the bottom of the page here: http://stjohn.openbar.com/airplane It's a pretty good kit, but I think I should have measured my own breather bolt and TB mounting holes instead of using theirs.. it's a little off, but not too bad. | ||
| Warlizard |
I would also take a look at the rear isolators. The ones for that model year were suspect at best. Isolators in poor condition can cause the back end to feel loose. | ||
| Wile_ecoyote |
"rear isolators", definately look at them. Good call 'Lizard. | ||
| Dj_engine |
I need to get the service manual. I have no idea where the rear isolators are (except aft of the engine somewhere) or what they look like. I also can't tell if all the oil's leaked out of my shock or not. The shock feels OK, it damps when I bounce it, but this system is more advanced than what I'm used to. According to the owner's manual booklet, I'm supposed to "increase rebound damping" and "reduce compression damping" since those are the remedies for the symptoms I'm getting, like harshness over bumps and wallowing through turns, but I want to clear up any mechanical defects first before I start tinkering with the suspension on an unfamiliar bike. By unfamiliar, I mean I haven't taken it up into the Malibu canyons yet to see how a nice easy ride through the twisties actually feels. Not a lot of curves on the west side of Los Angeles between home and work, but the few there are feel funny. Thanks again for all the info, guys. This board is a huge help. | ||
| Warlizard |
The isolators are right behind the big bolts by where your feet go. Right where your ankle w/ be in riding position. They are about the size of a hockey puck, though the improved ones are noticeably bigger. I assume you have the recall shock? If so, and it's not leaking, I doubt thats the problem. If you are between say 165-185#s, the factory setting should be adequate. | ||
| Torquemonster |
"So far so good, but my wish list at American Sportbike grows at an alarming rate." Ha ha. I think that seems to be the general concensus here. Ive already got the overtime planned out to make my list dwindle a bit. Its kinda off topic but id be interested to know how you like the airtech filter. Dont know if you have any other aftermarket air cleaner experience to compare it to (being a new bike). I like the design of it- but performance is what really matters. Threadjacker, out! |
