Softail Models Standard, Custom, Night Train, Deuce, Springer, Heritage, Fatboy, Deluxe, Rocker and Cross Bones.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

O2 sensor fixed, bike dramatically louder... Is that normal?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 23, 2014 | 07:15 PM
  #1  
deezy139's Avatar
deezy139
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
Default O2 sensor fixed, bike dramatically louder... Is that normal?

Hey all, so I have a 2014 slim and put a pro pipe on it. I messed up something in the install and broke the rear O2 sensor. I had my dealer get one on order and had it installed Saturday. With the bad O2 sensor the bike growled at idle but at cruising speed I could barely hear it over my music at about 35-40% volume, but after the O2 sensor the pipes are way louder... I have to crank my music to like 70% to have about the same "drowned outness" as before.

I know a bad O2 dumps a **** pile extra fuel in to make sure it's not leaning out, but can that really have that much effect on the volume?

Also I noticed the windshield reverberates engine noise back at me, but it shouldn't do that much for the pipe as the pro pipe faces backwards. Even if that does affect my perception on the bike, my buddy at work heard me pull up today and said it sounded way louder from his perspective too.

For what it's worth, I've been running an FP3 since putting the pipes on, and started the autotune ~50 miles after leaving the dealership. It was equally loud before and after starting the autotune.

So, anyone have any ideas? I thought maybe my baffle fell out but it looks the same as pictures I've found online... I'll post one in a bit if anyone's intersted. Thanks in advance.
 
Reply
Old Sep 23, 2014 | 07:25 PM
  #2  
KEYBEAR's Avatar
KEYBEAR
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,040
Likes: 0
From: Indiana
Default

Did you change your supply of dope ?
 
Reply
Old Sep 23, 2014 | 07:53 PM
  #3  
olongapo1's Avatar
olongapo1
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 970
Likes: 19
From: Philippines
Default

The ECM receives data from the O2 sensors which it uses to manage fuel. Fault data means faulty fuel management. And yes, the sound produced from your exhaust can change depending on the Air Fuel Ratio.

Side Note: Harley's shouldn't have music players. The music I listen to when I ride is the sound of my bike.
 
Reply
Old Sep 23, 2014 | 08:05 PM
  #4  
24v's Avatar
24v
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,986
Likes: 709
From: San Diego
Default

Originally Posted by KEYBEAR
Did you change your supply of dope ?
beer.out.my.nose.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
tenn.vol.
Touring Models
49
Aug 8, 2018 10:28 AM
gtwalker1969
Touring Models
3
Apr 13, 2018 09:09 AM
UT-rckr
Softail Models
9
Jun 29, 2011 10:54 AM
Live2Ride
Softail Models
5
Oct 18, 2009 09:50 PM
BIG6Y
Exhaust System Topics
16
May 19, 2007 05:01 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:52 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE