my EFI bike needs to "warm up"
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 154
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From: Cleveland, Ohio
my EFI bike needs to "warm up"
I have a 04' Road King TC w/efi . When the bike is on a cold start it needs to "warm up" like a carb bike, runs like **** for a few blocks if I get on and go after a min. Seems to have started when I did a cam change...afraid I might have to spend big bucks that I dont have on a tuner. Am I missing something else it could be ? OBVIOUSLY a motor needs to idle for a min or two but I don't think an efi should take up to 10 minutes to smooth out when outside air is 50 degrees, only does this once in awhile
Last edited by captbom1; Dec 14, 2012 at 07:47 AM. Reason: mass confusion!
Road Master
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 792
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From: Florida
Mine is too but not that bad. When I start the bike I just twist the throttle up to about 1500 rpm or so and hold it for a few seconds maybe 10 at the most. After that am good to go. I would like to see what kind of responses you get so consider me subscribed.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
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From: Cleveland Zoo
I have a 04' Road King TC w/efi . When the bike is on a cold start it needs to "warm up" like a carb bike, runs like **** for a few blocks if I get on and go. Seems to have started when I did a cam change...afraid I might have to spend big bucks that I dont have on a tuner. Am I missing something else it could be ?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,036
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From: Temecula, CA
Yep. A cam changes your engine's profile quite a bit and a tune is highly recommended. I'm going to say that not only are you having issues with the engine when it's cold, but you're also probably not getting the most out of those cams after it's warmed up either.
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: The Deep South
Warm-up needed for motors with EFI? Lots of views.....I personally....just can't make myself run a cold motor.....motorcycles, 4-wheelers, lawn mowers.....LOL For Sure Not The Harley.....call me old school...lol
Last edited by speckfisher; Dec 11, 2012 at 06:20 PM.
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From: South Vienna, Ohio
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Ma
You're jokin right? Why wouldnt you tune after a cam change??
Dont know what you threw in there, but I'd guess that maybe you've changed your intake valve closing time enough to warrant more fuel on warm up? Also especially if your overlap has changed (which is generally a given with a cam change) your scavenging will change which will effect your performance if you dont retune. Excessive overlap can over-scavenge the cylinders, reducing power and fuel economy. At low engine speeds, Like your idling bike, a large amount of overlap can allow reversion of exhaust gases into the combustion chamber and intake manifold, causing rough idling, poor throttle response, and increased exhaust gas. Increased overlap also reduces vacuum in the intake tract at low-engine speeds, which can result in poor fuel atomization and throttle response. When your bike is warming, can you smell excessive exhaust gases in comarison to before the cam change?
If you simply just replaced your stock cams please disregard this. If not, do that motor justice and get a tune for it.
Dont know what you threw in there, but I'd guess that maybe you've changed your intake valve closing time enough to warrant more fuel on warm up? Also especially if your overlap has changed (which is generally a given with a cam change) your scavenging will change which will effect your performance if you dont retune. Excessive overlap can over-scavenge the cylinders, reducing power and fuel economy. At low engine speeds, Like your idling bike, a large amount of overlap can allow reversion of exhaust gases into the combustion chamber and intake manifold, causing rough idling, poor throttle response, and increased exhaust gas. Increased overlap also reduces vacuum in the intake tract at low-engine speeds, which can result in poor fuel atomization and throttle response. When your bike is warming, can you smell excessive exhaust gases in comarison to before the cam change?
If you simply just replaced your stock cams please disregard this. If not, do that motor justice and get a tune for it.
Last edited by trafficjams; Dec 11, 2012 at 07:22 PM.