sparks 'n stuff
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
From: Canada
sparks 'n stuff
Hey everyone!
So I was riding my 08 nightster the other day, and the engine was occasionally sputtering a bit while at cruise speed. Maybe not so much of a sputter, but just instantaneous 'hickups'. It didnt happen alot, but I stopped to check the gas. It was good, but I topped her up and when I started it up again the old lady told me there was a bunch of sparks when the ignition occured. So I shut it down and she showed me that the sparks came from directly behind the rear exhaust pipe, where it meets the engine (or exhaust port). So I inspected the area, and saw no chaffed wires or burning. It started up again with no issues. When I got home, I let it sit for a few mins and the sparks occured once more. I couldnt get it to do it again. I checked the pipe bolts and they weren't tight, but I cant imagine that causing sparks. Unless the sparks are burning bits of carbon being blown out???
Any help or ideas how to troubleshoot this would be fantastic! Thanks in advance fellas.
So I was riding my 08 nightster the other day, and the engine was occasionally sputtering a bit while at cruise speed. Maybe not so much of a sputter, but just instantaneous 'hickups'. It didnt happen alot, but I stopped to check the gas. It was good, but I topped her up and when I started it up again the old lady told me there was a bunch of sparks when the ignition occured. So I shut it down and she showed me that the sparks came from directly behind the rear exhaust pipe, where it meets the engine (or exhaust port). So I inspected the area, and saw no chaffed wires or burning. It started up again with no issues. When I got home, I let it sit for a few mins and the sparks occured once more. I couldnt get it to do it again. I checked the pipe bolts and they weren't tight, but I cant imagine that causing sparks. Unless the sparks are burning bits of carbon being blown out???
Any help or ideas how to troubleshoot this would be fantastic! Thanks in advance fellas.
Hey everyone!
So I was riding my 08 nightster the other day, and the engine was occasionally sputtering a bit while at cruise speed. Maybe not so much of a sputter, but just instantaneous 'hickups'. It didnt happen alot, but I stopped to check the gas. It was good, but I topped her up and when I started it up again the old lady told me there was a bunch of sparks when the ignition occured. So I shut it down and she showed me that the sparks came from directly behind the rear exhaust pipe, where it meets the engine (or exhaust port). So I inspected the area, and saw no chaffed wires or burning. It started up again with no issues. When I got home, I let it sit for a few mins and the sparks occured once more. I couldnt get it to do it again. I checked the pipe bolts and they weren't tight, but I cant imagine that causing sparks. Unless the sparks are burning bits of carbon being blown out???
Any help or ideas how to troubleshoot this would be fantastic! Thanks in advance fellas.
So I was riding my 08 nightster the other day, and the engine was occasionally sputtering a bit while at cruise speed. Maybe not so much of a sputter, but just instantaneous 'hickups'. It didnt happen alot, but I stopped to check the gas. It was good, but I topped her up and when I started it up again the old lady told me there was a bunch of sparks when the ignition occured. So I shut it down and she showed me that the sparks came from directly behind the rear exhaust pipe, where it meets the engine (or exhaust port). So I inspected the area, and saw no chaffed wires or burning. It started up again with no issues. When I got home, I let it sit for a few mins and the sparks occured once more. I couldnt get it to do it again. I checked the pipe bolts and they weren't tight, but I cant imagine that causing sparks. Unless the sparks are burning bits of carbon being blown out???
Any help or ideas how to troubleshoot this would be fantastic! Thanks in advance fellas.
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
From: Canada
Thanks man, I'll check that for sure. I'd be really suprised, as its only got 3200 miles on it... but I cant discount anything at this point. Although the sparks do look cool, they are usually bad when on the OUTSIDE of your motor!
Has anyone ever heard of this problem with nightsters?
PS, whats the best way to check for the leak? Compression check, or just feel around for hot air when the engine is cold?
Has anyone ever heard of this problem with nightsters?
PS, whats the best way to check for the leak? Compression check, or just feel around for hot air when the engine is cold?
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
Hey everyone!
So I was riding my 08 nightster the other day, and the engine was occasionally sputtering a bit while at cruise speed. Maybe not so much of a sputter, but just instantaneous 'hickups'. It didnt happen alot, but I stopped to check the gas. It was good, but I topped her up and when I started it up again the old lady told me there was a bunch of sparks when the ignition occured. So I shut it down and she showed me that the sparks came from directly behind the rear exhaust pipe, where it meets the engine (or exhaust port). So I inspected the area, and saw no chaffed wires or burning. It started up again with no issues. When I got home, I let it sit for a few mins and the sparks occured once more. I couldnt get it to do it again. I checked the pipe bolts and they weren't tight, but I cant imagine that causing sparks. Unless the sparks are burning bits of carbon being blown out???
Any help or ideas how to troubleshoot this would be fantastic! Thanks in advance fellas.
So I was riding my 08 nightster the other day, and the engine was occasionally sputtering a bit while at cruise speed. Maybe not so much of a sputter, but just instantaneous 'hickups'. It didnt happen alot, but I stopped to check the gas. It was good, but I topped her up and when I started it up again the old lady told me there was a bunch of sparks when the ignition occured. So I shut it down and she showed me that the sparks came from directly behind the rear exhaust pipe, where it meets the engine (or exhaust port). So I inspected the area, and saw no chaffed wires or burning. It started up again with no issues. When I got home, I let it sit for a few mins and the sparks occured once more. I couldnt get it to do it again. I checked the pipe bolts and they weren't tight, but I cant imagine that causing sparks. Unless the sparks are burning bits of carbon being blown out???
Any help or ideas how to troubleshoot this would be fantastic! Thanks in advance fellas.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 38
From: Landrum, SC , elevation 986'
Make sure your battery is not shorting out in the battery box. (Or any other shorts). A couple years ago my battery shorted and my brake line started shooting sparks like mad just before the brake line bust into flames.
YOW, man, that's SICK!
Yeah, OP didn't describe this exactly, but it does sound like a loose head or blown gasket. Lemme tell ya, I pulled down a head on a fairly new FB that developed leaks. It looked like the assembler just THREW the box gaskets on there; didn't even TRY to line up at all. New gasket; no problem.
Yeah, OP didn't describe this exactly, but it does sound like a loose head or blown gasket. Lemme tell ya, I pulled down a head on a fairly new FB that developed leaks. It looked like the assembler just THREW the box gaskets on there; didn't even TRY to line up at all. New gasket; no problem.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 38
From: Landrum, SC , elevation 986'
YOW, man, that's SICK!
Yeah, OP didn't describe this exactly, but it does sound like a loose head or blown gasket. Lemme tell ya, I pulled down a head on a fairly new FB that developed leaks. It looked like the assembler just THREW the box gaskets on there; didn't even TRY to line up at all. New gasket; no problem.
Yeah, OP didn't describe this exactly, but it does sound like a loose head or blown gasket. Lemme tell ya, I pulled down a head on a fairly new FB that developed leaks. It looked like the assembler just THREW the box gaskets on there; didn't even TRY to line up at all. New gasket; no problem.
I thought I would just toss the issue I had out there.
Trending Topics
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
Not to mention that the stock, oversize non SE gaskets, trap a bunch on carbon on their edges.
I'm not saying that's his problem, but I wouldn't rule it out.
Last edited by cHarley; May 15, 2010 at 08:05 AM.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 38
From: Landrum, SC , elevation 986'
I'm sure you've removed a header gasket or two in your day, and that you know that when you rip them out and they pull apart you realize they are essentially made of compressed steel wool. Ever put a torch to steel wool?
Not to mention that the stock, oversize non SE gaskets, trap a bunch on carbon on their edges.
I'm not saying that's his problem, but I wouldn't rule it out.
Not to mention that the stock, oversize non SE gaskets, trap a bunch on carbon on their edges.
I'm not saying that's his problem, but I wouldn't rule it out.
Makes perfect sense.
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
From: Canada
aw man
Well thanks for all of the input guys... I'm not too happy with the fact that I may have a bad head gasket, but I never even thought of the 'steel wool effect' either! I've got the bike stripped down so I'll take a closer look at both the head AND the battery wires.
Blast, just when I thought buying a NEWER bike would buy me a few years of not dealing with this kind of non-sense.
I'll post what the fix is when I figure it out
Blast, just when I thought buying a NEWER bike would buy me a few years of not dealing with this kind of non-sense.
I'll post what the fix is when I figure it out