Hi
I have a 2008 Street Bob 103 cu in Stage 1 & EFI Race Tuner kit ( 32107-01H) , V & H Short shots , Arlen Ness Big Sucker.
Not sure what cams I have as the previous owner did the engine mods & I have added the exhausts & air filter.
The bike is running lean & I "appear" to hit the rev limiter when accelerating hard.It really isn't quick & is running out of steam by 85 - 90mph.
This should be good for 120 + I think.
The previous owner & the supplying dealer do not have the EFI Race tuner module & only seem interested in selling me a replacement at $730 ( price in England).
Firstly - another dealer has said that the V&H could be costing me upto 30bhp. Also the Big Sucker is flowing way too much air & I should go back to the original Stage 1 air filter.
2nd option is to re fit the V & H slip ons that came with the bike & see if this brings the power back.
3rd problem - I will need to source a digital fuel optimiser - TTS look good but aren't cheap. Have thought about a RevTech but all of these in the UK are $400 + & the Powertune TTS is $750.
Before I commit to something I really need to know what will work
Any thoughts
Cheers
Guy

 

Are you sure cams were installed? A Stage I, even a Stage II upgrade does not mean cams were installed. If you don't have cams installed, fuel management is simplified. Not familiar with that tuner kit. The SEST is the only tuner currently offered by H-D. Is it possible that the PN is for the Stage I ECM download?

The motor should still be pulling hard at 85-90mph; however, IIRC, the '07-'10 models were geared too tall and if you try to roll on from 65mph in sixth gear, it might feel like you are dragging a boat anchor. Try running up to 85-90 in 5th before shifting to 6th. If you hit the rev limiter, there will be no doubt. The motor will sputter an fall flat on it's face. It will startle you and the first response is to shut down. I don't think you are hitting the rev limiter, that's about 5800rpm.

OK, module = download. You don't have a "fuel management" system installed. The download simply tweaks the fuel a bit to richen the mixture for the freer flowing intake and exhaust and increases the rev limiter limit from 5800 to 6200. It is a one time "flash" to the ECM and is not a tuning device. So, this confirms that you are most likely hitting the rev limiter. The Ness Big Sucker flow is about the same as the H-D Stage I unit. The H-D Stage I air filter is good to about 100+HP and works well with a Stage I upgrade but the Ness unit is fine. Changing back to the H-D unit, while not a bad idea, won't make any difference in performance. Gotta call BS on the comment that V&H could be costing you 30HP, bullsh!t. Apparently you have a V&H system as well as some V&H slipons? Either setup should be good for a Stage I upgrade. The exhaust is not your problem.

Part of your porblem is that the Stage I ECM download is programmed for H-D components, i.e., H-D Stage I air filter and SE exhaust system. You have buggered things up by using the Ness air filter and the V&H exhaust.

You have two options for fuel management and the choice will depend on any future plans for additional performance upgrades, i.e., more exotic cams, higher compression and/or head work and the capability of a dyno tuner in your ares.

First option is the Techlusion DFO/TFI; check the links. This unit is affordable and works well with Stage I upgrades and will also work with mild "bolt in" cams. Fairly straight forward install, good customer service, no dyno required and you can "tune" yourself.
http://www.techlusion.com/TFI/TFItechnology.asp
http://www.techlusion.com/shopping/d...sp?make=harley

Next option are those systems you make reference to. The TTS Mastertune is proably the current state of the art. DynoJet offers several version of the Power Commander. If you are interested in the more sophistitcated systems, you should talk to your local dyno tuner and see what he perfers to use.

An option within the second option is the Thundermax with AutoTune. In the same price range as the TTS and similar systems but, with the auto tune feature, one can approach dyno tune numbers without a dyno tune.

Good luck.

 

If a dealer that told me those pipes would rob 30 hp I would never trust too much of whatever else they have to say. Same with the Big Sucker, it should work fine for you. Change the pipes if you want to see if there's any difference, but I think the real problem is your state of tune. You didn't say what makes you think it's running lean but that was my first thought and I bet that's a big part of lack of power.
Good advice above on tuners. Get one that somebody you can rely on is familiar with.
I'll swear by my TMax and it was tuned by a buddy half way across the country, using email.

 

Ok - thanks for all of the above advice - seems to bear out some of my assumptions.
Firstly I borrowed a laptop with a program & checked what was happening - my engine is definitely running lean other than that everything else seems ok - so far.
Cams - I have the original invoice for the work done & I have spoken to the dealer & the original owner. The dealer did the work before the original owner bought the bike ( the dealer is useless & not interested in helping possibly because I am 70 miles away & he doesn't see me as a customer)

The invoice says ( & I think there is something wrong with this description)
Fitted 1690cc Stage two big bore kit with 257 cams & race tuning

Then it goes onto list parts
10014 Clamp
11461 Retaining ring
17045-99C Gaket kit Cam SE
25466-06 SE251 Cam kit
25533-9A Cam drive gear ret
29903-07 1690 ST1 BLK
32107-01H EFi Race tuner kit
& the rest was oils/filters.

I am confused as to whether this is Stage 1 or Stage 2. Also I have no idea exactly which cams are fitted.
The motor doesn't feel " cammy" it just pulls throughout.
The original owner said it would still be pulling hard at 120.
I can't believe that ( like you say nevil) that the V&H pipes would cost me 30bhp.
I am sure the problems lies with the state of tune as Short Shots/Stage 1 & a big air filter are such a common set up.
I cannot see me taking the motor much beyond this ; where I live the area is famous for it's twisties & much more power will mean heading for the scenery - unfortunately we have plenty of dry stone walls around here.
So I need a tuner....me thinks
Cheers
Guy

 

I have narrowed down my choice of Optimisers
TTS Mastertune
Techlusion
RevTech
Is there one of these that stands out above the others?
Also I want to buy this from the US - again any thoughts on where to buy
Thanks
Guy