Glowing Headers???
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 8,423
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From: Ellenwood, GA - The Ghetto Part
It isn't due to the slip-ons, but increased breathing from the aftermarket pipes makes the A/F mixture even leaner than it was before. These bikes will turn headers bright red when viewed in the dark, right out of the box from the Moco. It's intentional - they have to set the AFR there to meet EPA standards. That's not to say it's *good* for the longevity of the engine, which isn't EPA's concern.
As luck would have it, next night I came home from work(2nd shift), turned bike off and checked the Y pipe. It was glowing orange and you could have lit a cigarette off it. H-D came out with a download(free) to help with that.
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 74
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Mine did it stock, so I don't think it is because of the slip ons.
I do agree with SSN711 on one thing, just putting on a set of slip ons should not lean out your fuel mixture. The O2 sensors on the bike should have enough range, that with just slip ons, the EFI would still keep the bike at the stock AFR.
I do disagree with a "richer" mixture making it hotter. I built a set of IEDs, the designs are on the internet, they are easy to make, cost me like 18 bucks I think. The richer mixture feels cooler on my "butt-ometer", the pipes don't glow any more, but I did lose a few MPGs.
I do agree with SSN711 on one thing, just putting on a set of slip ons should not lean out your fuel mixture. The O2 sensors on the bike should have enough range, that with just slip ons, the EFI would still keep the bike at the stock AFR.
I do disagree with a "richer" mixture making it hotter. I built a set of IEDs, the designs are on the internet, they are easy to make, cost me like 18 bucks I think. The richer mixture feels cooler on my "butt-ometer", the pipes don't glow any more, but I did lose a few MPGs.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
I'm not saying you shouldn't go with something to enrichen the AFR. Your bike could do nothing but benefit from it. I wanted to clear up the impression that adding slip on mufflers will lean your bike out enough to require some sort of down load or fuel management system.
I am going for a long ride today (96 deg weather out) and when it gets dark, I am going to have to look at my headers. As stated, I have never seen my headers glow, but will look again just because others have said they have seen it on their stock bikes. It will be interesting.
I am going for a long ride today (96 deg weather out) and when it gets dark, I am going to have to look at my headers. As stated, I have never seen my headers glow, but will look again just because others have said they have seen it on their stock bikes. It will be interesting.
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 69
Likes: 1
From: Bucks County PA
I cant believe it even took 4 posts to tell you not to let an air cooled anything sit and idle for 10 minutes.. Thats just wrong..
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