Heat cycle? Warm up time? Enrichener?
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 684
Likes: 9
From: Indian Head, PA
Heat cycle? Warm up time? Enrichener?
Ok, I understand that it's very important to let an Evo warm up since the jugs can expand upwards of 4 thousandths when hot. I have seen several mentions of the "heat cycle". What exactly is a heat cycle?
How long should I let my bike warm up before heading down the road?
My bike has an S&S carb with an enrichener lever on the top of the air cleaner housing. What would be it's "proper" use?
I know what seemed to work the best with my bike, but the engine seized and is currently out for reman. When the new engine comes back, I want to ensure a long life out of it and want to learn everything possible to help me do this. When I dropped my engine off, the mechanic pointed out to me that apparently the front cylinder had at least 1 pulled stud and I already knew about the 2 pulled studs in the rear. I never want to have to pull the engine and send it in for reman again after this.
Teach me! I really want to know!
How long should I let my bike warm up before heading down the road?
My bike has an S&S carb with an enrichener lever on the top of the air cleaner housing. What would be it's "proper" use?
I know what seemed to work the best with my bike, but the engine seized and is currently out for reman. When the new engine comes back, I want to ensure a long life out of it and want to learn everything possible to help me do this. When I dropped my engine off, the mechanic pointed out to me that apparently the front cylinder had at least 1 pulled stud and I already knew about the 2 pulled studs in the rear. I never want to have to pull the engine and send it in for reman again after this.
Teach me! I really want to know!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,699
Likes: 15
From: Qualicum Beach, B.C. CAN
Probably about 2 minutes or less.
I can only imagine what would happen if you posted this question in the touring section. hahahaha
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 684
Likes: 9
From: Indian Head, PA
About the same here. I use the enricher to start her up, then I put on my helmet and gloves, kick the enricher to about half if it's not too cold out, ride down the street about 2 blocks and shut the enricher off during that time.
Probably about 2 minutes or less.
I can only imagine what would happen if you posted this question in the touring section. hahahaha
Probably about 2 minutes or less.
I can only imagine what would happen if you posted this question in the touring section. hahahaha
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,699
Likes: 15
From: Qualicum Beach, B.C. CAN
oh
oh no .....
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 7,736
Likes: 1,524
From: Coromandel Peninsula New Zealand
I start mine up, jump on and ride carefully for the first few miles, which is easy as its a 40 mph limit for 5 miles where I live....once its legal to go quicker I go quicker but I never thrash my bike.....Harleys are not made to be ridden like that...that's what V-Rods are for ;-)
Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,232
Likes: 8
From: Powder Springs, GA
I use my choke to start the bike and then immediately use the throttle/throttle lock to just keep the bike running (use the choke for maybe 10 seconds). After a few minutes I take it easy on her for about 5 miles.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Indiana
And since someone else mentioned it......if you were asking in the touring section.........a typical response would be..........
"Geeze man, go find a manual and figure it out"..............
Last edited by traildog; Apr 27, 2012 at 07:05 AM.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
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Only you know your ride. It is jetted a bit leaner it will warm up a bit quicker.
On my EVO on a normal day I let it idle a minute or so and ride easy for a few miles. When it feels right I push the enricher in.
The big thing is just not to fire it up and roll on like a drag race right out of the driveway.
On the cooler days when it is 30 degrees or so The enricher says on a while. The FB is a bit cold blooded most carbs are.
On my EVO on a normal day I let it idle a minute or so and ride easy for a few miles. When it feels right I push the enricher in.
The big thing is just not to fire it up and roll on like a drag race right out of the driveway.
On the cooler days when it is 30 degrees or so The enricher says on a while. The FB is a bit cold blooded most carbs are.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
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From: Bedford UK
I've been riding Harleys since the 70s and treat them the same as all my bikes. I use the choke/enricher to start, adjust if necessary to avoid it revving too high, then set off. I put my riding gear on first, but also have a residential area to ride through, so the first couple of miles are at slow speeds. I can usually push the choke right off within half a mile or so and steadily pick up speed when I am on the open road.