I have an 06 Fatboy that is pretty stock except for a set of V&H big Radius pipes and a stage 1 kit. The thing is that when the bike is idling, it doesn't have that potato, patato sound. I've heard some stock 883's that sounds lumpier than mine. Is there something wrong?

 

I "think" what you heard was a carburated bike and you are comparing it to an injected bike. With fuel injection you cant get the lower idle that is needed for the patato sound. I believe (If I remember correctly) that the lowest you can run it is 900 RPM without damage to the engine. The oil pump will not get sufficient oiling to the engine with less than that.

 

You're probably right. Is there a cam out there that will give it that thump? Or would it be possible to switch over to carb?

 

Slap in a cam and that will help, but it will never sound just like a carbed bike.

 

Andrews 21 cam in my changed the idle sound a lot. A little rougher idle and better sound too. Plus much better low end torque.

 

I'm kind of new to bike mods. Is Andrews 21 the part number?

I like the reliability of the fuel injection but man... that lumpy Harley sound is the best. I've had my fatty for about 2 years and have just started to notice things I like from one bike to another. I wish I would have realized the difference in the sound between the f.i. and carbed bikes. But oh well.


Thanks for the inputs guys. I'm definitely going to consider the cam though.

 

That is the part number, they make a gear drive versions and a chain driver version. There are tons of other kinds of cams too. I put in S?E 203 cams and my sound was instantly louder and the idle a much nicer slow lope to it. Put my bike next to a bike with stock cams and the sound difference is very apparent.