Nightster 2008 Running weird
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From: Ypsi
Nightster 2008 Running weird
I have an 08 nightster, bike was stored for the winter and upon my first few rides, the bike almost cuts out entirely when riding making a 'cheeech' sound I believe from the air filter.. today I came to a stop sign and the bike shot a white cloud of smoke from the air filter and shut off. It turned back on immediately and rode to another stop sign and it shut off again. Any ideas? Is it possible its my air filter and it needs to be changed? I just changed the plugs (they were dark and grimy) and bikes running good with nice acceleration since the change.
The bike was stored incorrectly for the winter, I didnt winterize the gas and run the bike as you should...so I siphoned out the gas and put fresh gas in the tank with sea foam.
The bike runs fine at idle and doesnt cut out but it will cut and make that 'cheech' sound while riding and the engine cuts almost like its going to die. I have tested my battery and it checked out fine, changed the plugs, only thing I can think of is its the air filter?? or that bad gas is still burning within the bike somewhere and I need to add more sea foam??
The bike was stored incorrectly for the winter, I didnt winterize the gas and run the bike as you should...so I siphoned out the gas and put fresh gas in the tank with sea foam.
The bike runs fine at idle and doesnt cut out but it will cut and make that 'cheech' sound while riding and the engine cuts almost like its going to die. I have tested my battery and it checked out fine, changed the plugs, only thing I can think of is its the air filter?? or that bad gas is still burning within the bike somewhere and I need to add more sea foam??
Last edited by easystreet13; Jun 2, 2019 at 09:59 PM.
Did you use a fuel additive before storing your bike? If not, it's probably a green scale issue. You can clean your system with a fuel injector cleaner that you just add to your gas tank. If you drained the tank, it could be rust/corrosion clogging the pump, though this is unlikely if it's idling fine.
The 'cheech' is a backfire where the fuel/air mix is blown out of the air filter. When it pops or bangs coming from the tailpipe, it's an afterfire. Generally, backfires are caused by poor fuel/air mix from clogged injectors.
The 'cheech' is a backfire where the fuel/air mix is blown out of the air filter. When it pops or bangs coming from the tailpipe, it's an afterfire. Generally, backfires are caused by poor fuel/air mix from clogged injectors.
Last edited by BoozeBeast; Jun 2, 2019 at 10:26 PM.
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From: Ypsi
I did not do it before storing (dumbass I know). So I drained the tank and added the sea foam to a fresh tank of gas. Idling appears to be fine. Someone on reddit suggest I change the AC clutch relay as its a common issues with EFI bikes so thats my most current lead.. I just am concerned I am damaging the bike while I ride it hoping to burn out the old gas
*edit* Should I change the air filter? or add more sea foam
*edit* Should I change the air filter? or add more sea foam
Last edited by easystreet13; Jun 2, 2019 at 10:35 PM.
It could be the culprit. Before I buy a part, I'd remove the air filter and housing, then stick my finger into the intake or use a small telescoping mirror and a light to look for signs of green scale. When it's dry, green scale will rub off on your finger in most cases. Keep us posted either way. I'd like to know how it turns out.
Last note for the night...it could be an intake leak. Too much air in the mix can cause the motor to hiccup. You can check by spraying the seals individually with a quick shot of carb or brake cleaner while the bike is idling. If there is no change in the RPMs there isn't a leak. If it does change, it's that seal.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 166
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From: Alameda County, Ca
Thats odd that your plugs came out dark and grimy. Im curious what caused this issue for you.
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Could be the sea foam...how much did you add?
Is the bike stock?
Pipes and/or air cleaner modified?
Does it have a computer tune?
I think the easiest for you is to again remove the fuel tank/ drain the fuel. $5.
Re-inspect or again replace spark plugs. $10.
Re-inspect or again replace air filter. $30.
Then try a ride (stay close to house - murphy's law) and report back.
Good luck.
Is the bike stock?
Pipes and/or air cleaner modified?
Does it have a computer tune?
I think the easiest for you is to again remove the fuel tank/ drain the fuel. $5.
Re-inspect or again replace spark plugs. $10.
Re-inspect or again replace air filter. $30.
Then try a ride (stay close to house - murphy's law) and report back.
Good luck.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2017
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From: Ypsi
I followed the instructions on the can to my 3.5gal tank. And next to nothing is stock on the bike besides the frame and tank lol.
It does have a computer tune, I have no re tuned it since replacing the pipes from V&H's to my bassansi sweepers now. That is something I need to do asap
I am going to give removing the air intake a try, see what gunk or signs are in there first and hope thats where my issue is. I have not removed the air filter /changed it since I've owned the bike. Bike has 5k miles on it and I am unsure when the after market intake was put on.. So this could be a great start and if that fails, I agree with your idea changing the fuel out again and 100% staying near home. When it shut off on me last night I was 15ft from my house and thought I really did some damage to the bike when that white cloud of smoke shot out.
A kind person on reddit shared this with me, and this is another thing I may look into trying while I have the in take off
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZaB...ature=youtu.be
It does have a computer tune, I have no re tuned it since replacing the pipes from V&H's to my bassansi sweepers now. That is something I need to do asap
I am going to give removing the air intake a try, see what gunk or signs are in there first and hope thats where my issue is. I have not removed the air filter /changed it since I've owned the bike. Bike has 5k miles on it and I am unsure when the after market intake was put on.. So this could be a great start and if that fails, I agree with your idea changing the fuel out again and 100% staying near home. When it shut off on me last night I was 15ft from my house and thought I really did some damage to the bike when that white cloud of smoke shot out.
A kind person on reddit shared this with me, and this is another thing I may look into trying while I have the in take off
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZaB...ature=youtu.be
Last edited by easystreet13; Jun 3, 2019 at 11:44 AM.
