Read my plugs

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Oct 7, 2023 | 05:50 PM

#11

jonnycando

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Joined: Feb 2019

Posts: 409

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From: Roanoke, VA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rounders

I usually turn the idle up on the carb, Don't really see a reason why not to.

There's a thought, but my FXRS is a tad lean, and very cantankerous starting...so I use full choke til it smooths out at 1800...then back it off to 1500 or so, while I feel for heat developing under the rear head on the right side...by then the engine will idle with a bit of throttle blipping. I have the idle speed set so when throughly warm it hits around 1000 to 1100rpm. I reckon everybody has a method that works for their bike and how it's tuned. Ride it like you stole it and the plugs should stay clean.

Oct 7, 2023 | 06:05 PM

#12

Rounders

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Joined: Mar 2021

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From: backwoods

That seems like a like bit much to start it. But I am not evo guy. Got lots of carbed vehicles I question jetting, throttle cable tightness. Do you have an actual tach on it, and it still takes this? I also get we devlop these routines, especially for older machines

Oct 7, 2023 | 06:09 PM

#13

jonnycando

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Joined: Feb 2019

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From: Roanoke, VA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rounders

Well I dunno...I could put a fatter slow jet in, but when she's warm she's sweet and gets 50mpg...so....and yes I use the tach....FXRS's do have one. If you have no tach, you might only be guessing what your warm up speed might be. And it might be higher than you think. My newfangled Mazda car in cool weather will start up at 2000rpm and stay there a good 30 seconds.

Oct 7, 2023 | 08:54 PM

#14

SparkyD

Thread Starter

Road Master

Joined: May 2012

Posts: 796

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From: Washington State

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rounders

I usually turn the idle up on the carb, Don't really see a reason why not to.

If I adjust it to idle when cold then the idle jumps up to 1400+/- once she's warmed up. That's a little too high for me when I'm sitting at a stop light.

Oct 8, 2023 | 06:43 AM

#15

98hotrodfatboy

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Joined: Mar 2010

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From: Poolville

Just set it hot from 950-1000 rpm.. You can only control cold idle with the enricher or throttle lock .

Oct 8, 2023 | 08:48 AM

#16

Rounders

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Joined: Mar 2021

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From: backwoods

I've never cared if the idle was high. I don't have a tach on FLHR to know. But one of the early things I did was turn up tach so it warmed up better. I doesnt have that cool sounds like it sound trying to pretend I am a shovel sound. 20 years later, I keep thinking I should get portable tach, so I know. Not saying I dont stall once in awhile. Usually on warm starts not choked.
My FI bike was bumped to 1000 or 1100 to.

Oct 8, 2023 | 11:19 AM

#17

Rains2much

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Joined: Sep 2022

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From: Florida

Quote:

Originally Posted by SparkyD

I have been using the enrichener for worm up until recently. Yesterday I started using the enrichener just the get her started. Then I lock the throttle with the mechanical cruise control at about 1200 rpm. I'm ordering a new set of plugs because these do have quite a few miles on them.

Your idol speech should be somewhere between 900 and 1200. I know a lot of guys like to set it much much lower. But it really should be higher.

Last edited by Rains2much; Oct 8, 2023 at 11:22 AM.

Mar 4, 2024 | 04:29 PM

#18

FLTRI17

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2009

Posts: 2,113

Likes: 666

We used to tune bikes headed for Japan to 600 idle rpm to give the idle lope they wanted. We told them about the oil pressure et al negatively affected by low idle rpm but never heard back so I have to believe they had no issues.
Bob