I am not real sure what this "pinging" is that you guys talk about since Ive never had a vehicle that did it (I dont think). However, I am beginning to notice a strange noise at lower RPMs in every gear, or at least thats when I can hear it. Once I get up to 2300-2400 rpms it either stops, or I just dont hear it anymore. Its kinda like a quiet rattling sound. Bike is got 3000 or so miles, 2012 Limited.
Any thoughts?

 

lie and tell everyone you have a built motor in it....cause harley won't stand behind it if it goes to hell.......believe me......

 

Pinging is detonation. It will sound like a rattle in the top-end in the lower rpm range...it will get more pronounced the higher the gear. Say, put the bike in 4th gear at 1500rpms and roll the throttle, if it pings, it'll do it then. The more the throttle, the more the ping. The rpms get higher, it usually goes way a bit. Too hot and too high gear/low rpm will make this worse.

 

This sounds like what Ive got. How big of a problem is it?
So this could be a problem with my shift pattern? I need to keep it in a higher RPM range?

 

The general rule is running in gear 2k rpms or higher.

Still, pinging is a sign of detonation and should not be there.

What I mean is, I can't make mine ping under less than severe temp conditions. I'd have to try even at that.


Low octane fuel will do this also. Too much timing. There are a few reasons.

 

A fuel mapping like fuelpak, PC, etc. would likely help also to get it not so lean

 

Pinging is not good and not always very loud, it is easy to miss. Try not shifting below at least 3000 RPM and unless coasting keep the RPMs above 2500 or so, downshift if necessary. If the bike still pings you NEED a tune. It will eventually ruin the engine.

 

Pinging is short for Pre ignition- the fuel air mix combusts in an uncontrolled manner.

Here is a good article on it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engine_...g#Pre-ignition

Pinging sounds like pebbles rattling in a coffee can, and can cause serious damage to the motor, such as burning a hole through the piston.

Pinging is avoided by using proper octane fuel, proper mixture, correct ignition timing, proper temperature.

Pinging can burn the aluminum in the combustion chamber, causing sharp edges which further increase the incidence of pinging

It is important that the motor be run in the proper rpm range, lugging the motor will cause lower end bearing wear.
Trying the accelerate at too low an rpm can result in pinging.

It can sometimes be solved or reduced by raising octane, richening mixture, adjusting ignition timing etc. but these is them selves may not be the correct remedy and result in other problems or inefficiencies.



mike

 

It doesnt really sound like pebbles in a can...more like a rapidly ticking clock. the sound is not as random as I would think pebbles in a can would be. Forgive me here, I just dont know how to describe what I am hearing. Ive been searching for a sound clip that represents it, but cant seem to find one.
I always use 93 octane fuel, but did experience some light traffic right before I noticed this. I do normally shift at 2800 - 3000 rpm and will cruise 65 mph around 2300-2400 rpm.

 

You probably wouldn't be able to hear it thru a sound clip, I think it's too subtle a sound to come thru, unless it's really really severe. Your description sounds like pinging to me.If your hearing it mostly at low RPM rollons, or if it's much more pronounced at low RPM rollons it's most likely pinging.Do you have any kind of tuning device on your bike? It can usually be resolved by letting the bike breath better, free flowing AC/pipes and a good tune. That will cool off the bike and give you a stronger runner. This is VERY common with the stock bikes running very lean from the factory.
Unfortunately, thats the Harley "Tax", the price you pay to make the bike run as it should in the 1st place. Many service managers will tell you it's normal...right.