Oxygen Sensor Question
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Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44
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From: Beach
Oxygen Sensor Question
So, I just threw some new Short Shots on my Sporty today, and let me start out by saying...its got some ***** now...I mean straight up *****...ITS MEAN!! Anyway, I couldn't get the oxygen sensor freed off the rear stock tailpipe, and my dealer wasn't open for business today to get a new one...so I was wondering if riding without an oxygen sensor was terrible for the bike. I took it out for a little test ride this evening and rode with it open. I'm sure its probably not good for it, but what specifically is it going to harm, and has anyone else had trouble getting the oxygen sensors free? I had a hell of a time trying to get the rear one loose.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,541
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From: Nuevo México, Los Estados Unidos de América
What's been done to the bike? Just the pipes? I'd get it tuned. You're running pretty lean if you haven't... and it may sound mean, but any power increase is psychological, if you don't open up the intake, and get it tuned.
As far as the 02 sensors go, they come into play while cruising at constant, light throttle, where you're bike is setup to run at a very lean, fuel efficient, 14.6:1 A/F ratio. That's pretty lean, but safe if you've got the 02 sensors making sure you don't get any leaner... the pre-02 senor bikes would never attempt to run that lean, because going any leaner, you can start melting things pretty quick. With your already open pipes, without a retune, and the lack of 02 sensor, there's no doubt you are running leaner than that 14.6 on that cylinder. Now it's cold out, so you're probably not getting that hot... but depending on how you're riding, you do risk putting your bike through some pretty major temp changes, which will eat away longevity. I would avoid rush-hour traffic 'till you get this corrected.
As far as the 02 sensors go, they come into play while cruising at constant, light throttle, where you're bike is setup to run at a very lean, fuel efficient, 14.6:1 A/F ratio. That's pretty lean, but safe if you've got the 02 sensors making sure you don't get any leaner... the pre-02 senor bikes would never attempt to run that lean, because going any leaner, you can start melting things pretty quick. With your already open pipes, without a retune, and the lack of 02 sensor, there's no doubt you are running leaner than that 14.6 on that cylinder. Now it's cold out, so you're probably not getting that hot... but depending on how you're riding, you do risk putting your bike through some pretty major temp changes, which will eat away longevity. I would avoid rush-hour traffic 'till you get this corrected.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 218
Likes: 1
So, I just threw some new Short Shots on my Sporty today, and let me start out by saying...its got some ***** now...I mean straight up *****...ITS MEAN!! Anyway, I couldn't get the oxygen sensor freed off the rear stock tailpipe, and my dealer wasn't open for business today to get a new one...so I was wondering if riding without an oxygen sensor was terrible for the bike. I took it out for a little test ride this evening and rode with it open. I'm sure its probably not good for it, but what specifically is it going to harm, and has anyone else had trouble getting the oxygen sensors free? I had a hell of a time trying to get the rear one loose.
They can be quite a bugger to remove and when you do manage to break her free, be sure to put some anti-seize lube on the threads before reinserting it into the new pipes. These sensors are a must for EFI...
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,718
Likes: 1
From: manhattan beach
agree- got mine used. prior owner had put the v&h straightshots and arlen ness air sucker on the bike. the thing ran strong usually, but every once in awhile when i hit the throttle hard, it would balk. not safe and not good for the bike. the lean factory setting combined with the pipes and air were causing this. so i had a fuel controller put on the bike and had it tuned about as rich as i could go. now the bike runs fast fast fast and the temps stay below about 175. i am getting a real power boost maybe a bit too much cause now i get around 20 mpg- from running rich combined with riding hard. but man, this thing is a blast to ride!
so, i agree that you need to adjust the fuel, and i would put on a less restrictive air cleaner too.
[QUOTE=Herr Monk;4482165]What's been done to the bike? Just the pipes? I'd get it tuned. You're running pretty lean if you haven't... and it may sound mean, but any power increase is psychological, if you don't open up the intake, and get it tuned. [QUOTE]
so, i agree that you need to adjust the fuel, and i would put on a less restrictive air cleaner too.
[QUOTE=Herr Monk;4482165]What's been done to the bike? Just the pipes? I'd get it tuned. You're running pretty lean if you haven't... and it may sound mean, but any power increase is psychological, if you don't open up the intake, and get it tuned. [QUOTE]
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