My stock 75 shovel idles at about 600 RPM, that's the way it came to me from big brother.

Is that too low a speed for proper lubrication? The oil light is off indicating oil pressure, however I have no idea at what pressure it goes off.

 

That's to low, It's that low for the "rumble". I'd bump it up to 8-1000. But that's just me.
Don't worry, it's getting oil.

 

Getting oil isn't the issue when the idles that low the crankpin bearing tend to slide over the crankpin instead of roll as designed, it eventually starts pitting then cratering the bearing surface on the pin. Changed a bucket full over the years.

Bump it up to 800 to 900 or so, you'll find it's a bit better coming off the line this way too.

 

Makes for much easier cold starts too.

 

600 rpms is too low.
Scott

 

Yup, indeed.

 

I believe the good book recommends 900-1000 rpm idle speed for all HDs.


carl

 

Thanks all for the guidance. I checked again yesterday evening and saw an idle speed of 400... even lower than I originally thought.

So I'll bump it up from from firing about once a second. Cool that it idles that low, but unnecessary wear on the crank pin is not cool.

 

I can't even imagine what a 400rpm shovelhead would sound like..... I hope your tach is working properly.

 

Potato Potato sound is cool&all but is to low,
8 1/2-900 is the sweet spot,