'07 Nightster tuning issues
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5th Gear
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 9
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From: Iowa
'07 Nightster tuning issues
Hey everyone,
I bought a 2007 Nightster this summer as my first bike. Obviously, with this being my first bike I'm not sure if the things I think are issues actually are issues, so that's why I want to get some opinions here. In my opinion, the bike kind of runs like ****. As far as aftermarket parts go, it just has Python pipes and a Screamin' Eagle intake. The bike pops and backfires a lot. It sounds cool sometimes, but often it just sounds unhealthy. I highly doubt the previous owner tuned the bike or did anything for the ECM for it to realize that it has aftermarket parts, so I know I need to buy a tuner. I guess I'm just looking for recommendations and input as to how the hell you even tune a bike. Is it something you do yourself or do you just buy tunes and flash them to your ECM?
Any feedback would be great! Thanks.
I bought a 2007 Nightster this summer as my first bike. Obviously, with this being my first bike I'm not sure if the things I think are issues actually are issues, so that's why I want to get some opinions here. In my opinion, the bike kind of runs like ****. As far as aftermarket parts go, it just has Python pipes and a Screamin' Eagle intake. The bike pops and backfires a lot. It sounds cool sometimes, but often it just sounds unhealthy. I highly doubt the previous owner tuned the bike or did anything for the ECM for it to realize that it has aftermarket parts, so I know I need to buy a tuner. I guess I'm just looking for recommendations and input as to how the hell you even tune a bike. Is it something you do yourself or do you just buy tunes and flash them to your ECM?
Any feedback would be great! Thanks.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
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From: England
In my opinion you could probably get stock parts from various places cheaper than a tuner and put it back to stock.
I have a stock 2008 1200 Custom here that has been converted to a trike. I mention that because it has added around 200lbs to the weight of the bike. It goes very well and will run quite happily at 80 mph and faster and gets there as rapidly as Sportsters do.
I have a stock 2008 1200 Custom here that has been converted to a trike. I mention that because it has added around 200lbs to the weight of the bike. It goes very well and will run quite happily at 80 mph and faster and gets there as rapidly as Sportsters do.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,952
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From: South Florida (Ft Myers area)
Sounds like possibly an intake and/or exhaust leak, check for those first as well as any codes.
Buy a service manual if you don't already have one. Go through a full service if you haven't already. How many miles? Spark Plugs?
Can you post a video of what it's doing? Like you said might be normal and could be just some decel pop, but that wouldn't make it "kind of runs like ****" or "sounds unhealthy".
Buy a service manual if you don't already have one. Go through a full service if you haven't already. How many miles? Spark Plugs?
Can you post a video of what it's doing? Like you said might be normal and could be just some decel pop, but that wouldn't make it "kind of runs like ****" or "sounds unhealthy".
Last edited by slw210; Sep 15, 2022 at 07:29 AM.
Thread Starter
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5th Gear
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 9
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From: Iowa
I am not sure..how can I check? And I don't have anyone that knows bikes nearby that knows bikes and I just fear the dealership because I'm in college and can't afford to shell out big bucks for them to check it out.
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5th Gear
Joined: May 2022
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From: Iowa
I just put forward controls on and in doing so I had to take off my front cylinder's exhaust pipe. Since I'm new to working on stuff, I first tried to unscrew the O2 sensor because I wasn't aware you can just unplug them...*facepalm*. So I got my O2 sensor tight on the reinstall but then I got a check engine light (which I'm sure is from the O2 sensor leaking or something). But I want to note that it ran like this even before I touched anything. It has 10,3xx miles. I will try and post a video, but sometimes they are crisp decel bangs, and other times they sound like coughs. Also, sometimes when I am getting on the throttle hard it will pop in between shifts..is that normal? And sometimes when I rev-match the throttle gives no response..it just kind of sputters.
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Thread Starter
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5th Gear
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 9
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From: Iowa
Sounds like possibly an intake and/or exhaust leak, check for those first as well as any codes.
Buy a service manual if you don't already have one. Go through a full service if you haven't already. How many miles? Spark Plugs?
Can you post a video of what it's doing? Like you said might be normal and could be just some decel pop, but that wouldn't make it "kind of runs like ****" or "sounds unhealthy".
Buy a service manual if you don't already have one. Go through a full service if you haven't already. How many miles? Spark Plugs?
Can you post a video of what it's doing? Like you said might be normal and could be just some decel pop, but that wouldn't make it "kind of runs like ****" or "sounds unhealthy".
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Thread Starter
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5th Gear
Joined: May 2022
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From: Iowa
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
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From: England
Codes and how to read them here - Harley Trouble Codes (fuelmotousa.com)
It would be good if you can list all codes stored.
It would be good if you can list all codes stored.
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