2008 nightster lugging
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3rd Gear
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 7
Likes: 1
From: Arizona
2008 nightster lugging
I have a 2008 nightster. Bought it used with a stage 1. Has a screaming eagle heavy breather and V&H exhaust. When cruising at low speeds (40mph) I have to be in 3rd gear. If I put it in 4th gear at 40mph it starts lugging like its going to stall for going too slow for that gear. It does the same thing at 25mph in 2nd, 30mph in 3rd, 40mph in 4th, and 55-60 in 5th.
The lugging feeling that happens is like when you try and take off in 2nd from a stop and it vibrates and acts like its going to stall.
The shop I take my bike to for everything told me that the previous owner probably did the stage one but didnt tune it and that its running too lean as well.
Could that be the reason why it does this or am I doing something wrong?
The lugging feeling that happens is like when you try and take off in 2nd from a stop and it vibrates and acts like its going to stall.
The shop I take my bike to for everything told me that the previous owner probably did the stage one but didnt tune it and that its running too lean as well.
Could that be the reason why it does this or am I doing something wrong?
Last edited by goobs; May 19, 2019 at 06:23 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 25,310
Likes: 2,446
From: Eastern NE
Are you shifting bike by "gears" vs. RPM? Don't think of it as 1st gear to 10mph, 2nd gear to 20 mph, etc...
Need to go by "feel" not mph...run gears and shift at ~2500 - 3000 rpm...even if you don't have tachometer - you can tell when to shift.
Need to go by "feel" not mph...run gears and shift at ~2500 - 3000 rpm...even if you don't have tachometer - you can tell when to shift.
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3rd Gear
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 7
Likes: 1
From: Arizona
I dont have a tach but should get one. I shift by sound and what feels right. But Ill still get it checked out since it might need a tune. Thanks!
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3rd Gear
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 7
Likes: 1
From: Arizona
I dont shift by rpm since I dont have a tach and since I got the bike Ive been shifting by feel and what sounds right like you said. But the past month i dont know why Ive been paying attention to the mph per gear. I never had that mentality with my previous 3 bikes until now and its probably whats making me think something is wrong with the bike with the stage 1 but never probably tuned.
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 165
Likes: 14
From: rockford
Seeing this all the time around here. They put on pipes, air filter then have driveability problems. You should be able to go down to 1500 rpms and stay in gear or cruise. I have 97 bored out to 1200 with stage 1 kit rejetted carb no problems at 40 mph in 4th.
you have a driveability problem, you have 2 choices , 1 go back to stock or retune it.
you have a driveability problem, you have 2 choices , 1 go back to stock or retune it.
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3rd Gear
Joined: May 2019
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From: Arizona
Ive actually been saving for one but since the shop quoted me to do a dyno tune for around the same price as the fp3 Im going to save up a bit more money for the dyno tune.
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Thread Starter
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3rd Gear
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 7
Likes: 1
From: Arizona
Seeing this all the time around here. They put on pipes, air filter then have driveability problems. You should be able to go down to 1500 rpms and stay in gear or cruise. I have 97 bored out to 1200 with stage 1 kit rejetted carb no problems at 40 mph in 4th.
you have a driveability problem, you have 2 choices , 1 go back to stock or retune it.
you have a driveability problem, you have 2 choices , 1 go back to stock or retune it.
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 165
Likes: 14
From: rockford
Don't wait very long, or limit driving on it. If you are running very lean the engine will run hot with all the damage that goes with it, burnt valves, melted pistons etc. Will it happen maybe? but who wants to risk it. Saw this all the time during 90's as cars became fuel injected with very specific fuel maps, (speed density just like hd is now). Pipes etc, car would run slower less HP and with engine damage