2008 1200 Low issues
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 523
Likes: 406
From: So Western Ohio
I installed lolli-pops in the mufflers, which quieted it down just enough. It pops on de-acceleration through the pipes. I ordered a Power Vision 4 tuner for it. My view is the stock H-D epa compliant tune is poor. Anyhow, now I'll have to learn more of this bluetooth stuff to load the improved tune.
I put in a new set of plugs and VIEDs from DK customs in the O2 sensor leads. I tried various settings and landed on exactly 50%, 31 K set equally with a multimeter. (The pots range 26K to 36K.) There is no decel popping, maybe a quiet pip once in a great while and the plugs look real clean. After 600 miles they aren't looking rich nor lean. They just look new.
I don't know if it's the best advice, but it's an easy thing to try. So far I like them.
Last edited by Rufus13; Aug 11, 2023 at 01:47 AM.
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HDF Community Team
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,265
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From: shore of Gitche Gumee
On my '12 bike I tried xieds, and then a piggy-back system, to no avail. I finally coughed up the money for the Power Vision, and that cured my off-idle stumbling, and other performance issues. My new bike is interesting in that it's called a 2008 1200 Low, and is equipped with a disc back wheel & 21' laced front wheel with the 'profile' rim. Would that make it a Custom Low? Or Low Custom? (Are shorter kick stands available for this low bike?)
Last edited by hammer6315; Aug 11, 2023 at 10:35 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 523
Likes: 406
From: So Western Ohio
That's odd. I did do some other things than just the VIEDs. I put in some new NGK irridium plugs, S.E. fat plug wires and installed an external breather, cleaned up the fueling system with a can of SeaFoam 2 ounces to the gallon until it was gone. The bike had been parked for more than 2 years with a tank of grocery store regular in it. It hadn't traveled but 23 miles in 3 years. Carboned up, I did what I call throttle squirts for about 200 miles. I'd ride it in 4th at about 55 mph then open the throttle full til it hit about 85, then rolled off back down to 55. Raising the load and thus, the combustion pressure and a little high rpm will help blow out years of black goo and carbon. The VIEDs did richen it up, too. It warmed up after a cold start sooner with less farting around.
I guess they all come with their little foibles to deal with.
I guess they all come with their little foibles to deal with.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 12,258
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From: England
The HD OEM parts list only shows a 19" cast front wheel for the 2008 Low:- https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/e...fd4b1f3cb6a8/y
Use the link in my signature to do a lookup for the bike on HD service portal
Use the link in my signature to do a lookup for the bike on HD service portal
Last edited by Andy from Sandy; Aug 12, 2023 at 03:19 AM.
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HDF Community Team
Joined: Jan 2010
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From: shore of Gitche Gumee
The VIN comes up as a Custom, which matches the wheel size and type, and headlight style. The forks appear shorter than my 05 custom by 1" and the shock absorbers are 1.5" shorter. The seat height is also lower. It was advertised as a 1200 Low. Car fax had no records (salvage) on it. The trans. had dark red oil in it when I changed it. 'Let the buyer beware.'
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
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From: England
The other give away is where the speedo is placed; behind the bars kind of over the tank is a Custom. The mounting of the bars is also quite different on a Custom.
Can you post a picture?
The engine oil I use is red, I wouldn't worry necessarily about that.
Can you post a picture?
The engine oil I use is red, I wouldn't worry necessarily about that.
Last edited by Andy from Sandy; Aug 12, 2023 at 09:55 AM.
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HDF Community Team
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From: shore of Gitche Gumee
Yes, the speedo is mounted behind the bars, Custom style. The air cleaner cover says Custom. The seller called it a 1200Low. Someone had lowered the front end by raising the fork tubes in the triple trees ~1". This caused the bike to barely lean over when on the side stand. I went ahead and changed the engine oil and filter. I am not able to post photo.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 1,966
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From: Scottish Highlands.
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HDF Community Team
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,265
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From: shore of Gitche Gumee
Thank you. I discovered it has lowering blocks on the rear shocks. Not sure how much they lower the rear, but sometimes when I hit bumps, something is hitting back there. Yet to discover what that is.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Forest Hill, Md
Seat screw?