Done Stage 1 - Strange Observations
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 282
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From: Raleigh, N. Carolina (Via Brighton, England)
Done Stage 1 - Strange Observations
Hi all,
Well, excitedly I took out my staged one 2007 FXD.
V&H Big Radius, Ness Big Sucker and Fuel Moto Retro PC (power commander) V with map pre installed.
Anyway, on my first short run to the pub and back, I notice a definate power increase in the mid rpms--very nice.
Then this weekend, I went on a longer run with a friend for about 100 miles and the first thing I notice was a definate increase in vibration from the engine. I dont have figures yet to completely define it, but it was around 60-70mph in 6th gear. The vibrations were definately not there before.
I also noticed the check engine light came on at least once and then went off during the early part of the run.
BUT, by the end of the 100 mile run, the vibrations seemed to mostly dissapear and the bike run nearly as smooth as it did prior to the stage one. Overall, it definately pulls better thru the gears and I dont need to change gear as much. But, im just worried about those early vibrations. I read somewhere here that the PC actually learns as you ride - is this true?
Should I be concerned or is this normal?
Cheers.
Well, excitedly I took out my staged one 2007 FXD.
V&H Big Radius, Ness Big Sucker and Fuel Moto Retro PC (power commander) V with map pre installed.
Anyway, on my first short run to the pub and back, I notice a definate power increase in the mid rpms--very nice.
Then this weekend, I went on a longer run with a friend for about 100 miles and the first thing I notice was a definate increase in vibration from the engine. I dont have figures yet to completely define it, but it was around 60-70mph in 6th gear. The vibrations were definately not there before.
I also noticed the check engine light came on at least once and then went off during the early part of the run.
BUT, by the end of the 100 mile run, the vibrations seemed to mostly dissapear and the bike run nearly as smooth as it did prior to the stage one. Overall, it definately pulls better thru the gears and I dont need to change gear as much. But, im just worried about those early vibrations. I read somewhere here that the PC actually learns as you ride - is this true?
Should I be concerned or is this normal?
Cheers.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,919
Likes: 23
From: Seattle, WA
Congrats ...
Don't have experience with the Power Commander, but I believe they recently came out with an auto-tune module ... I think you would know it (i.e., the seller would have featured it) if you had it ... else, I don't think you have a 'self-tuning' system ....
Could just be the normal human process of noticing a difference and then just getting used to it ....
At 60-70 RPM in 6th gear, you're running pretty low in the RPM band ... might be lugging it just a bit if you were rolling on ... if just cruising, probably okay to run at that RPM range ....
R/
'Chop
Don't have experience with the Power Commander, but I believe they recently came out with an auto-tune module ... I think you would know it (i.e., the seller would have featured it) if you had it ... else, I don't think you have a 'self-tuning' system ....
Could just be the normal human process of noticing a difference and then just getting used to it ....
At 60-70 RPM in 6th gear, you're running pretty low in the RPM band ... might be lugging it just a bit if you were rolling on ... if just cruising, probably okay to run at that RPM range ....
R/
'Chop
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 282
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From: Raleigh, N. Carolina (Via Brighton, England)
No, its definately not the auto tune version. Maybe i dont really remember how I rode before--its kind of second nature just riding so I probably dont know what gear Im in. Maybe now Im really focussing on it Im expecting too much. Dropping down to 5th did eliminate the vibs. Maybe I was in 5th before in the 60-70 mph cruise mode and just dont realize it?
Advanced
Joined: May 2010
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6th at 60 is definitely lugging the motor a bit.
No way Intake and Exhaust would cause more vibrations... Mechanically there is no difference. You might be hearing more noises (top end chatter etc.) that are congruent with the motors previous vibes which might make you think there are more because now another sense is being tingled by it.
I guess your tuner could throw the timing off or make the motor run like junk. I know it is a partially closed loop system so it can adjust after some time if it is off but maybe it was just the ECM learning and adjusting over time. Anyway who knows, best thing to do is to get it tuned and not worry about that portion.
No way Intake and Exhaust would cause more vibrations... Mechanically there is no difference. You might be hearing more noises (top end chatter etc.) that are congruent with the motors previous vibes which might make you think there are more because now another sense is being tingled by it.
I guess your tuner could throw the timing off or make the motor run like junk. I know it is a partially closed loop system so it can adjust after some time if it is off but maybe it was just the ECM learning and adjusting over time. Anyway who knows, best thing to do is to get it tuned and not worry about that portion.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,463
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From: San Antonio, TX
I agree with Surfer Chop and Terrible1one3
I have the PCV retro-fit for my FXDC from Fuel Moto. I lug at 60 in 6th if I push it.
Your bike now has better throttle response. You are probably running through the gears with anticipation as a result. I agree that you are in 6th prematurely. I don't usually use 6th gear unless I am going to just cruise around 65 mph, (minimal throttle not acceleration), or if I am over 70-mph.
my 2 cents,
Cheers,
Tom
I have the PCV retro-fit for my FXDC from Fuel Moto. I lug at 60 in 6th if I push it.
Your bike now has better throttle response. You are probably running through the gears with anticipation as a result. I agree that you are in 6th prematurely. I don't usually use 6th gear unless I am going to just cruise around 65 mph, (minimal throttle not acceleration), or if I am over 70-mph.
my 2 cents,
Cheers,
Tom
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,900
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Vibrations - Stage 1 vs Stock
I rode my friends Fat Bob this weekend for a little while. It is bone stock. My Street Bob has a ThunderHeader and a Open Air Cleaner.
I can tell you that his bike was smooth through out, and 60 in 6th wasn't an issue with his bike. His bike liked to shift on the nose per the manual. My bike on the other hand you can hear your motor telling you when to shift. My shift points are different than his. It is a fact. Don't know how to explain it, but it is different. He also mentioned that when he went into 6th at 60 on my bike it was really vibrating so he went back to 5th until 70 mph. I told him that it what it likes.
So you may just be experiencing what I am, and I don't know what that is, but you can at least hear your bike telling you when it is ready to go up or down in the gears.
To be honest. I could not ride his bike. I could not tell what gear I was in, or what was what. It was really a change riding his bike. Makes me reconsider putting on my stock pipes. Which I was thinking of doing, but not now.
Congrats!
I can tell you that his bike was smooth through out, and 60 in 6th wasn't an issue with his bike. His bike liked to shift on the nose per the manual. My bike on the other hand you can hear your motor telling you when to shift. My shift points are different than his. It is a fact. Don't know how to explain it, but it is different. He also mentioned that when he went into 6th at 60 on my bike it was really vibrating so he went back to 5th until 70 mph. I told him that it what it likes.
So you may just be experiencing what I am, and I don't know what that is, but you can at least hear your bike telling you when it is ready to go up or down in the gears.
To be honest. I could not ride his bike. I could not tell what gear I was in, or what was what. It was really a change riding his bike. Makes me reconsider putting on my stock pipes. Which I was thinking of doing, but not now.
Congrats!
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 282
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From: Raleigh, N. Carolina (Via Brighton, England)
I wonder if the stage 1 has moved the spread of the gear ratios? I.e. 5 has a longer spread so doesnt need to be shifted to 6 quicker. So, shifting to 6th at 60 (which I think I used to do) slugs the engine.
May just be a case of me learning to use the new setup.
May just be a case of me learning to use the new setup.
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Joined: Jun 2010
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agreed.
I thought power commander eliminated the o2's? If that the case the bike would not be able to adjust at all over time.
a gear ratio is a gear ratio. unless you change a pulley, sprocket, rim, or the gear inside the tranny it will remain the same. What the motor wants to shift at shouldnt really change unless you do cams or otherwise open up the motor. I think the louder sound coupled with the change in power is whats throwing you off. Keep in mind by opening your exhaust up you probably lost a little torque which would change the vibrations you are feeling down low.
a gear ratio is a gear ratio. unless you change a pulley, sprocket, rim, or the gear inside the tranny it will remain the same. What the motor wants to shift at shouldnt really change unless you do cams or otherwise open up the motor. I think the louder sound coupled with the change in power is whats throwing you off. Keep in mind by opening your exhaust up you probably lost a little torque which would change the vibrations you are feeling down low.
Last edited by Muff Daddy; Oct 4, 2010 at 02:28 PM.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 743
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From: Jackson
Don't lug your engine. 60-65 in 6th gear is lugging. No doubts about that. Keep it the mids to high RPM. Engine will run cooler, and if you find you have to roll on the throttle quickly, it won't be guttless.