Why did it start pinging now??????
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 889
Likes: 116
From: Massachusetts
Why did it start pinging now??????
I have an 06 RKC that is completely stock. I haven't done any mods to the 88 engine as of yet. I bought it late summer and have put close to 1000 miles on her without any issues. I've been using 87 octane the whole time. No problems with the bike, pinging or anything.
Today, I head out for a nice 3 hour ride and she starts pinging pretty bad while running 70-100% throttle. Noticed it at first when I went to pass a car and boy did she start rattling with those pings. Then every time I got into the throttle the pinging would start.
So I think the first thing I'll try is moving up to a higher octane. But I can't figure why it would start now. I've done rides this long before. The temp was cooler then any day I've been out. Maybe that might be it mixed with the lower octane.
Any thoughts?
Today, I head out for a nice 3 hour ride and she starts pinging pretty bad while running 70-100% throttle. Noticed it at first when I went to pass a car and boy did she start rattling with those pings. Then every time I got into the throttle the pinging would start.
So I think the first thing I'll try is moving up to a higher octane. But I can't figure why it would start now. I've done rides this long before. The temp was cooler then any day I've been out. Maybe that might be it mixed with the lower octane.
Any thoughts?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 102
From: Central Illinois
Cooler air is more dense, which probably made the fuel mixture a bit leaner. Regardless, get rid of 87 and ONLY run premium unleaded. The engine is meant for the higher octane.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 12,946
Likes: 32
From: Colorado Springs, CO
Fuels gets old quick. Yu probably just got some old gas.
Regardless of what you have heard, these bikes want Premium. I have been stuck out in BFE and had to resort to 87....but as soon as I find higher stuff, I top it off again.
So, move up to 91 or better every chance you get. If it's gonna be awhile before you ride again, pour a tank of octane boost in there along with some "Sta-Bil".
~Joe
Regardless of what you have heard, these bikes want Premium. I have been stuck out in BFE and had to resort to 87....but as soon as I find higher stuff, I top it off again.
So, move up to 91 or better every chance you get. If it's gonna be awhile before you ride again, pour a tank of octane boost in there along with some "Sta-Bil".
~Joe
Last edited by traveler; Nov 27, 2011 at 06:03 PM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
when touring, pack octane booster with you- I learned the hard way at a chevron in Blythe- had to baby it to indio and the next gas stop ( Patton's was closed).
OP, could be just a bad tank, try booster- octane resists pre ignition.
persistant pinging can also be from extreme heat too advanced timing.
try gas first
Mike
OP, could be just a bad tank, try booster- octane resists pre ignition.
persistant pinging can also be from extreme heat too advanced timing.
try gas first
Mike
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Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 552
Likes: 2
From: Florida
beings it's an 06 and he bought it late summer like he said i doubt he has a manual. that's probably why he ask.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 12,946
Likes: 32
From: Colorado Springs, CO
Guys, take it easy on the guy. He jsut got the bike, and obviously wasn't told that the girl needs PREIMUIM gas. Now he knows...lesson learned.
The 88 engine is TOUGH. You got lucky...nothing is hurt, jsut don't do it again!
~Joe
The 88 engine is TOUGH. You got lucky...nothing is hurt, jsut don't do it again!
~Joe
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 889
Likes: 116
From: Massachusetts
Thanks everyone. I'll definitely try better gas.
I wasn't insisting anything. Honestly didn't give gas much thought. This is my first Harley after riding Metrics for years. I've been running 87 octane in all the metrics I had without issue. The RK didn't come with a manual and without thinking I put regular into the tank. Seeing I've run that many miles without issue I didn't give the octane much thought until I started searching the forum. I guess it's the 1000 miles on regular that had me guessing what else beside gas it could be.
I wasn't insisting anything. Honestly didn't give gas much thought. This is my first Harley after riding Metrics for years. I've been running 87 octane in all the metrics I had without issue. The RK didn't come with a manual and without thinking I put regular into the tank. Seeing I've run that many miles without issue I didn't give the octane much thought until I started searching the forum. I guess it's the 1000 miles on regular that had me guessing what else beside gas it could be.