Warm up with FI models?
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From: The Wasteland
Warm up with FI models?
I have been looking hard at Sportsters for my 2nd bike, and up until this morning I was settled on a 91-03 rigid mounted, carb bike for many reasons.
But this morning I started up my 1995 Dyna and let her idle for a while before I rode off. Even though the ambient temp was around 55 degrees the Dyna hadn't quite reached temperature and was really letting me know it. Spitting and sputtering and even backfired twice. Once she reached operating temp all was well.
That got me to wondering about fuel injected Sportys. Do they need the extended warm up time like the older Sportys and Dynas? I know the Evo Big Twins will blow rocker and base gaskets if you run them cold too many times. Is that an issue with the FI Sportys too?
I've owned several FI Twin Cams and I just started them up, let them idle 20 or 30 seconds to get the oil flowing then rode away. Never had an issue with them blowing rocker or base gaskets.
My 2 biggest reservations with the rubber mounted FI Sportys are-
1) They dont have the sound of a carbed bike. To me a carbed Sportster has one of the best sounding motors in HDs lineup
2) I dont like the look of the oil tank and the battery cover on the 04 and later bikes. But I could probably get past that.
But this morning I started up my 1995 Dyna and let her idle for a while before I rode off. Even though the ambient temp was around 55 degrees the Dyna hadn't quite reached temperature and was really letting me know it. Spitting and sputtering and even backfired twice. Once she reached operating temp all was well.
That got me to wondering about fuel injected Sportys. Do they need the extended warm up time like the older Sportys and Dynas? I know the Evo Big Twins will blow rocker and base gaskets if you run them cold too many times. Is that an issue with the FI Sportys too?
I've owned several FI Twin Cams and I just started them up, let them idle 20 or 30 seconds to get the oil flowing then rode away. Never had an issue with them blowing rocker or base gaskets.
My 2 biggest reservations with the rubber mounted FI Sportys are-
1) They dont have the sound of a carbed bike. To me a carbed Sportster has one of the best sounding motors in HDs lineup
2) I dont like the look of the oil tank and the battery cover on the 04 and later bikes. But I could probably get past that.
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Seasoned HDF Member
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From: The Wasteland
No its stage 1 with air filter and V&H pipes. Otherwise, its almost all stock. However its a Dyna Big Twin. I'm just wondering if the FI Sportys will blow gaskets like the Big Twins and older Sportys do if you dont give them the long warm up time.
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From: Honah Lee
There is a pressure release in the cam plate for oil pressure and the vent system is big enough. I have never seen what you are saying as proven actually fact.
Like the myth that Synthetic causes oil leaks.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; May 17, 2023 at 09:31 AM.
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From: San Diego, CA
My bike starts and idles smoothly within a couple minutes. It's a carbed 1991 with 1250 conversion. No issues with cold motor driveability, but I baby my bike until it's up to proper temps, then I get on it. Perhaps your need to richen up your IMS?
I've heard this urban legend about blowing head gaskets, but I cannot recall ever reading about it here or over on xlforum.net. Of course, any fool that beats on a cold engine deserves whatever fate befalls them.
John
I've heard this urban legend about blowing head gaskets, but I cannot recall ever reading about it here or over on xlforum.net. Of course, any fool that beats on a cold engine deserves whatever fate befalls them.
John
Last edited by John Harper; May 17, 2023 at 09:56 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 911
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From: west coast
The warmup sequence is one of the best features of EFI Sportsters, the ECU "knows" the engine is cold (when it is) and adjusts the mix and idle speed accordingly as it warms up...no spitting, coughing, or stalling as it warms up. The owners manual suggests a 30 second warm up after a cold start so that is what I do and it works well. It is great not having to screw around with a petcock and choke unlike on my other 2 bikes...
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Seasoned HDF Member
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From: The Wasteland
Yeah the carb has been jetted. Idle jet was bumped to a 45 from a 42. I dont recall what the main jet is but it was bumped up too.
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Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: The Wasteland
My bike starts and idles smoothly within a couple minutes. It's a carbed 1991 with 1250 conversion. No issues with cold motor driveability, but I baby my bike until it's up to proper temps, then I get on it. Perhaps your need to richen up your IMS?
I've heard this urban legend about blowing head gaskets, but I cannot recall ever reading about it here or over on xlforum.net. Of course, any fool that beats on a cold engine deserves whatever fate befalls them.
John
I've heard this urban legend about blowing head gaskets, but I cannot recall ever reading about it here or over on xlforum.net. Of course, any fool that beats on a cold engine deserves whatever fate befalls them.
John
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From: Honah Lee
They warm up a lot faster driven easily a few blocks. However, they need to run halfway decently to do that.
Mine is perfectly happy warming up at 2500 rpm in any gear after a few blocks. I did that for years after work year round. That's interstate speed..
But it's stock and a FI. Does have a silly Hover Vac open SE filter. And of course a SE timer cover (bootleg) on it.
There's a lot of truth in if it ain't broken, work on it to it is. And for sure, a Harley's worst enemy is a mechanic.
Mine is perfectly happy warming up at 2500 rpm in any gear after a few blocks. I did that for years after work year round. That's interstate speed..
But it's stock and a FI. Does have a silly Hover Vac open SE filter. And of course a SE timer cover (bootleg) on it.
There's a lot of truth in if it ain't broken, work on it to it is. And for sure, a Harley's worst enemy is a mechanic.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; May 17, 2023 at 10:45 AM.