I just picked up a 1998 Fat Boy with only 4,981 original miles from the original owner. I have been riding is for two weeks and put about 200 miles on it. As I was pulling into work today another HD owner said my engine sounded funny and put his hand over each exahust. He said one exhaust is hotter than the other and that meant that the #2 clyinder was misfiring. I have no clue if this is true and the bike runs and sounds fine to me.....is this a concern? Or is he blowing smoke?

I need to know because he has me worried now and I hope the bike is OK.

Thanks
Jack

 

It's possible, could have bad seals seeing as it sat for a very long time.

Have a trusted mechanic give it a once over

 

What was the other hd owner's measuring device? His hand ??

 

Pull the plugs and check the color. The service manual explains the varying colors. Good luck.

 

Yes, I also felt the exhaust with my hand and one was HOT and the other was COLD....not sure what it means if anything. I will call the service garage tomorrow I guess.

 

I just got off the phone with the Harley Davidson service manager. He told me that the front cylinder runs 20 to 40 deg cooler than the back cylinder because the front cylinder catches more wind than the back (air cooled not water). So much for the “expert” at work!

 

Glad you got it worked out. Check out the EVO section on here to talk to some EVO gurus!