Sound and Lope
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 115
Likes: 11
From: Macon, GA
Sound and Lope
When I start my 09 RK it sounds like an outboard motor on a boat - a fast whop-whop-whop. Once it is in gear and warmed up, it slows down a little but still doesn't sound like the Harley "potato-potato-potato" sound. This past winter I changed a lot of things on my bike - including a new 2-into-1 Rush exhaust and swapping the stock cams for the OEM SE cam. It didn't give me the results I wanted.
About a year ago, I remember reading someone's thread who said that you would never get one of the newer motors to produce the potato lope. Somehow I don't believe that. It seems that it is just a matter of combining the right exhaust (sound) with the right cam (lope). Am I missing something here?
About a year ago, I remember reading someone's thread who said that you would never get one of the newer motors to produce the potato lope. Somehow I don't believe that. It seems that it is just a matter of combining the right exhaust (sound) with the right cam (lope). Am I missing something here?
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,012
Likes: 285
From: Alva Florida
The advent of Fuel injection took away some of that. But the older Carbed bikes Idled lower, the new bikes idle at 1000 rpms, the old Evo's would idle about 850-900. Plus the cams they use with the carbed bikes gave them that distinctive sound. The EFI bike cams don't have the same lope at idle.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
I swear I'm gonna start selling cd's of my panhead idling!
so here's a screenshot of the idle speed setting on my 09- these are somewhat edited by me:
the high idle is a required as the oil pressure and volume being rpm dependent- the oil is part of the cooling system
the twin cam also has light flywheels- which means less forward rotational force os stored- the upside is that this makes for a much faster revving motor
3.) emissions will be lower at a higher idle- better efficiency, more complete burn-
the designers want that as the reduced tailpipe emissions at idle will allow more cam from the factory
my '53 will idle and even pull me around at 600 rpms- a big part of that is the manual ignition advance- on the old bikes the rider advances by pulling the left grip back, retards by rolling it forward.
a retarded advance will have more of a pop, the later spark timing will give more torque
and the classic bikes have alot more flywheel
so upgrade your amp and speakers- and buy my cd!
it'll sound great.
mike
so here's a screenshot of the idle speed setting on my 09- these are somewhat edited by me:
the high idle is a required as the oil pressure and volume being rpm dependent- the oil is part of the cooling system
the twin cam also has light flywheels- which means less forward rotational force os stored- the upside is that this makes for a much faster revving motor
3.) emissions will be lower at a higher idle- better efficiency, more complete burn-
the designers want that as the reduced tailpipe emissions at idle will allow more cam from the factory
my '53 will idle and even pull me around at 600 rpms- a big part of that is the manual ignition advance- on the old bikes the rider advances by pulling the left grip back, retards by rolling it forward.
a retarded advance will have more of a pop, the later spark timing will give more torque
and the classic bikes have alot more flywheel
so upgrade your amp and speakers- and buy my cd!
it'll sound great.
mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Jun 23, 2017 at 08:00 PM.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 115
Likes: 11
From: Macon, GA
I have no idea what my idle rpms are right now since there isn't a tach on the bike. This past winter I had a Power Commander 5 installed and the bike tuned by a local indy shop. I could always run it by their shop and have them compare what's on the bike to your settings.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 6,129
Likes: 143
From: Santa Cruz
Ya can turn the idle down and fatten it up with a proper tuner. Not sure it is a good idea with light the pressed cranks...
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,377
Likes: 647
From: Santa Clarita
One of the big reasons you won't get the classic Harley idle...in addition to what others have said...is that the Twinkies are set up with single fire ignition. No waste spark. Two Harleys ago, my engine was a cone shovel bottom end and a pan top end with dual plugs STD heads...and a single fire ignition. Noticeably smoother running engine and maaaaybe a smidgen more power...but definitely no potato potato idle. It was an acceptable tradeoff.
You want a potato idle? Get you a blockhead or older, set yer idle down to 400 to 500 RPM...and cackle that sumbitch to yer hearts content.
You want a potato idle? Get you a blockhead or older, set yer idle down to 400 to 500 RPM...and cackle that sumbitch to yer hearts content.
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Banned
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 7,406
Likes: 834
From: Straight Jacket Memories and Sedative Highs
Cam it.
Cams have changed with EPA.
Lowering idle may not be good for your bike. Need to keep oil and voltage up. Harleys sells cosmetic and nostalgia. You think they turn the idle up because they want to go against fluffy stuff like that?
My carbed machines, I typically turn idle up, less stalling. I can afford an extra gallon gas per year. Maybe you can't
No.
Blockhead never caught on, and its not a shovel. Don't pretend it is somethign thing it is not ,but calling it a funny name. 400-500 idel is just silly.
Never listen to anyone who says blockhead.
Cams have changed with EPA.
Lowering idle may not be good for your bike. Need to keep oil and voltage up. Harleys sells cosmetic and nostalgia. You think they turn the idle up because they want to go against fluffy stuff like that?
My carbed machines, I typically turn idle up, less stalling. I can afford an extra gallon gas per year. Maybe you can't
Blockhead never caught on, and its not a shovel. Don't pretend it is somethign thing it is not ,but calling it a funny name. 400-500 idel is just silly.
Never listen to anyone who says blockhead.
Last edited by ChickinOnaChain; Jun 24, 2017 at 10:57 AM.
