Lowering the idle speed.
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,900
Likes: 12
Lowering the idle speed.
Is there any issues with lowering the idle speed of a 96 TC? You hear some Harley Davidsons with idles around 600-700 and they sound awesome, but it seems my idle is aroun 1050 to 1100 RPM.
I was just wondering if it would starve the heads of oil, or if there were other issues. Thanks for the advice.
I was just wondering if it would starve the heads of oil, or if there were other issues. Thanks for the advice.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: Belgium
Your Idle is that high because of the EFI. The only way i know of to lower the idle speed is with another ECM. I know the the Thundermaxx will let you lower your ECM to 600 rpm.
Now Harley does not recommend going lower than 900 because of oil pressure issues. This being said you normally don't sit and idle all day...
So the only place i can see this being an issue is cold startup's though normally the ecm should compensate by raising your RPM's at startup
Older bikes which had carbs idles really low and this was not usually a problem on startup as this could be compensated with the choke. And on old EVO's when the idle you can actually watch the oil pressure light blink on and off..
So unless you are planning on idling for hours on end it should not be a major problem...
I am planning on doing the same to mine.
Now Harley does not recommend going lower than 900 because of oil pressure issues. This being said you normally don't sit and idle all day...
So the only place i can see this being an issue is cold startup's though normally the ecm should compensate by raising your RPM's at startup
Older bikes which had carbs idles really low and this was not usually a problem on startup as this could be compensated with the choke. And on old EVO's when the idle you can actually watch the oil pressure light blink on and off..
So unless you are planning on idling for hours on end it should not be a major problem...
I am planning on doing the same to mine.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 202
Likes: 1
From: Brisbane, Australia
there is a good reason that your bike idles that high and that is for oil pressure to the top end , if you had a oil pressure gauge on your bike you could watch it drop at idle the hotter your bike gets, if your idle was lower you would end up with no oil pressure and you no what that will lead too....... new motor !!!!!!
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,900
Likes: 12
Thanks, everyone. That is what I figured. I was thinking oil pressure, and charging issues. Sounds fine now, but I like that sound. You know what I mean? I will take the reliability over the cool factor on this one.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,456
Likes: 11
From: PacNW; Beacon of Conservatism in a Sea of Liberals.......AZ Snowbird; Just another Conservative
Trending Topics
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,729
Likes: 7
From: Republic of Texas
You won't a low idle? Dump the ECM all together. Don't spend a penny on a Thundermax. Buy an S&S carb kit and a Thunderheart ignition and convert that baby back to the way it should be. CARBED!!
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Tourer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 347
Likes: 1
From: Lexington, IL
TTS Mastertune will let you set it as low as you want BUT they caution against going down below 900 rpm for the oil pressure reason mentioned above. I've got mine set at 938 now (increments up/down by x number of RPM's so it's not a round #) and it sounds ALOT better at idle than it did around 1050. I'm not going any lower than that because I figure the people who know had a reason for saying don't go below 900.
Good Luck!
Have a good one,
Dave
Good Luck!
Have a good one,
Dave
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,899
Likes: 8
From: Aurora, IL
Yeah, and while he is at it, he can send me all his EFI stuff so I can even out the AFR between my front and rear cylinders!