Problem with Street Bob
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Novice
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Coquitlam BC
Problem with Street Bob
Recently my Street Bob has been sluggish/lack of power when it gets hot. ie if I'm stuck in traffic or at a long light and I go to start it's got no guts. When the bike is cool there's no issues ie -lots of power at the low end even if I'm under-geared it thumps smoothly out of it ...but as soon as the engine starts to throw off any real heat I pretty much have to throttle up a few times then let go the clutch to get any real power. The other day while riding I was stuck in traffic on a hill and I could barely get up the hill in 1st gear. I had to double check to make sure I wasn't in 2 or 3rd gear.
maintenance:
Clean K&N filter
Replace Plugs (HD)
Ran Seafoam through the gas
My specs are as follows
2008 Steetbob FXDB
18,000 mi
Stage 1
Vance and Hines slip ons
Anyone have any advice? I did notice the forward exhaust manifold seemed a little loose..meaning I was able to tighten it a half turn with a socket wrench.
maintenance:
Clean K&N filter
Replace Plugs (HD)
Ran Seafoam through the gas
My specs are as follows
2008 Steetbob FXDB
18,000 mi
Stage 1
Vance and Hines slip ons
Anyone have any advice? I did notice the forward exhaust manifold seemed a little loose..meaning I was able to tighten it a half turn with a socket wrench.
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: Louisville, Kentucky
Its the rear cylinder shutting down to prevent overheating, its an option that on some if not all newer bikes can be turned off by the dealer. I just give it a few throttle twists before I release the clutch to start the rear cylinder firing again.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 578
Likes: 0
From: Apache Junction
This wouldn't be the problem on an '08. Wasn't offered then.
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Coquitlam BC
I haven't noticed any change in sound at idle ever so probably no engine management or shutting down of the rear cylinder. However, a few twists does help a bit. If I try to just go without it I have even even less power. I don't know how to describe it other than it just seems to run rough when hot. Last night it was nice and cool and the bike ran like a dream ...until I got to the city center and stuck in traffic then it went back to crap mode. It's frustrating as it's not even throwing me a code to go by. I'm tempted to just eliminate the O2 sensor to see if it makes a difference but I'm worried I'll build up carbon in the engine.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 536
Likes: 7
From: California
You need to make some change's...........
I haven't noticed any change in sound at idle ever so probably no engine management or shutting down of the rear cylinder. However, a few twists does help a bit. If I try to just go without it I have even even less power. I don't know how to describe it other than it just seems to run rough when hot. Last night it was nice and cool and the bike ran like a dream ...until I got to the city center and stuck in traffic then it went back to crap mode. It's frustrating as it's not even throwing me a code to go by. I'm tempted to just eliminate the O2 sensor to see if it makes a difference but I'm worried I'll build up carbon in the engine.
What did your spark plugs look like when you pulled them ?????????
Probably running really lean.............
Hopefully you do not have an oil passage blockage of any kind, I do know that the bypass plunger in the cam chest was an issue in the older models.
The plunger would not seat correctly thus letting oil bypass and not flow to the proper areas under low idle condition's, that may be something to consider.........
I think you need to make some change's.................
Get rid of the stock ecm and get a tuner, this will help the bike run cooler....
Get an oil cooler...............
Get some luv jugs or some wards cooling fans.............
You need to do something before you destroy you engine.........
If you have a temp gun take it with you on your next ride and when it starts acting up shoot the cylinder head temp, it just seems odd that you are not getting an engine light or something if in fact it is getting that hot........
Live Free = Ride free...........
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Chicago, IL
I haven't noticed any change in sound at idle ever so probably no engine management or shutting down of the rear cylinder. However, a few twists does help a bit. If I try to just go without it I have even even less power. I don't know how to describe it other than it just seems to run rough when hot. Last night it was nice and cool and the bike ran like a dream ...until I got to the city center and stuck in traffic then it went back to crap mode. It's frustrating as it's not even throwing me a code to go by. I'm tempted to just eliminate the O2 sensor to see if it makes a difference but I'm worried I'll build up carbon in the engine.
you're not alone
i also have an '08 bob (stock everything with 25K on it), and a couple weeks prior it was riding like a gem on the highway, 50+ miles. I run into traffic, and i ran into the same problem.
In 1st gear, clutch in, i go to throttle to get the rpm's up and to ease out into 1st, and the thing almost dies on me. I twist it a couple more times, and the engine sounds like it's right on the edge of shutting off, like a sputtering sound, strugling to get power almost, like you said, thought i was in a higher gear, but i wasn't.
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 21
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From: Coquitlam BC
oh crap my engine blew up! 
j/k
plugs actually looked good and I half wondered if I could have just put them back in for another 2k. I'd really like to be able to put an oil cooler and power commander in but not exactly sure it will fix the problem.... other than making it run cooler. Assuming I put the power commander in does anyone have a recommendation as to which one and where to buy? I'd be willing to even buy a used one to save a few bucks...
j/kplugs actually looked good and I half wondered if I could have just put them back in for another 2k. I'd really like to be able to put an oil cooler and power commander in but not exactly sure it will fix the problem.... other than making it run cooler. Assuming I put the power commander in does anyone have a recommendation as to which one and where to buy? I'd be willing to even buy a used one to save a few bucks...
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 536
Likes: 7
From: California
Is It HOT ????????
oh crap my engine blew up! j/k
plugs actually looked good and I half wondered if I could have just put them back in for another 2k. I'd really like to be able to put an oil cooler and power commander in but not exactly sure it will fix the problem.... other than making it run cooler. Assuming I put the power commander in does anyone have a recommendation as to which one and where to buy? I'd be willing to even buy a used one to save a few bucks...
j/kplugs actually looked good and I half wondered if I could have just put them back in for another 2k. I'd really like to be able to put an oil cooler and power commander in but not exactly sure it will fix the problem.... other than making it run cooler. Assuming I put the power commander in does anyone have a recommendation as to which one and where to buy? I'd be willing to even buy a used one to save a few bucks...
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Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 21
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From: Coquitlam BC
WolcottSB has the same issue, same bike, same year,same mileage. Not sure if his issue just started but pretty sure I would have noticed that last year riding so it's something new or something getting worse. I'll try and borrow the wife's cooking thermometer in the next couple of days and take an oil temp reading after some city riding.
ps - thanks for everyone that's helping here.... it's much appreciated.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 536
Likes: 7
From: California
Head Temp's..............
yes and no ... firstly this engine gets extremely hot. How hot I have no idea but it's damn uncomfortable riding that thing on a hot day in traffic and you better be wearing pants. That said the performance seems to be directly related to the heat. In other words the hotter it gets the worse it performs. Even when the engine is moderately hot I notice it's not as responsive off the mark ...just not as bad.
WolcottSB has the same issue, same bike, same year,same mileage. Not sure if his issue just started but pretty sure I would have noticed that last year riding so it's something new or something getting worse. I'll try and borrow the wife's cooking thermometer in the next couple of days and take an oil temp reading after some city riding.
ps - thanks for everyone that's helping here.... it's much appreciated.
WolcottSB has the same issue, same bike, same year,same mileage. Not sure if his issue just started but pretty sure I would have noticed that last year riding so it's something new or something getting worse. I'll try and borrow the wife's cooking thermometer in the next couple of days and take an oil temp reading after some city riding.
ps - thanks for everyone that's helping here.... it's much appreciated.
If you are going to check oil temp's with no oil cooler they should be around 250 - 275+ with Dino oil , if you hit the 300 mark that is to high.........
Cylinder head temps, mine run between 260 - 285 degrees, but would still be okay at 330 degrees, engine warning light will usually come on around 375, that means she is cooking and needs to be shut down..........
Cylinder head temp's are the most important so if at all possible get those reading's when she is acting up............
Live Free = Ride Free...........