Lowering the RPM
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 144
Likes: 1
From: Romania, Otopeni
Lowering the RPM
Hello everybody
I have a question regarding the idle RPM for Harley. I am watching on Youtube different HD's and I noticed that many of them have a low RPM at idle. Mine is a RK 2002 FLHRI and it has a higher idle RPM. It is in normal range but it still rotates faster than other seen on net.
It is a matter of stage I or II or it's about mapping?
Here is a idle low RPM example!
...and this is what I hear on my bike!
I have a question regarding the idle RPM for Harley. I am watching on Youtube different HD's and I noticed that many of them have a low RPM at idle. Mine is a RK 2002 FLHRI and it has a higher idle RPM. It is in normal range but it still rotates faster than other seen on net.
It is a matter of stage I or II or it's about mapping?
Here is a idle low RPM example!
...and this is what I hear on my bike!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 17,548
Likes: 7,173
From: Oxford, Nc
It's a matter of manual adjustment. Your bike (and mine...2000,) are supposed to run b/w 950 and 1050 rpm. But some guys want their bikes to sound like "Harleys." and slow 'em down.
Not good for the lower end, particularly HD's cast crank 07 and later. (Your 2002 is somewhat more stout.)
I run mine at 1050 and have more than a few miles on the bike with the intent for more.
Do what you want.
Not good for the lower end, particularly HD's cast crank 07 and later. (Your 2002 is somewhat more stout.)
I run mine at 1050 and have more than a few miles on the bike with the intent for more.
Do what you want.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,639
Likes: 2
From: Australia
if you have efi and tuner you can set the rpm lower.
otherwise you set the idle speed on the carby via the idle screw.
either way this is a really dumb thing to do.
Firstly the oil flow at idle below 1000 is too low, cooling is compromised.
Secondly the twin cam uses plain cam bearings which require oil pressure for lubrication, low speed means low pressure and poor lubrication. Proceed at your own risk!
Sounds very cool tho.....
otherwise you set the idle speed on the carby via the idle screw.
either way this is a really dumb thing to do.
Firstly the oil flow at idle below 1000 is too low, cooling is compromised.
Secondly the twin cam uses plain cam bearings which require oil pressure for lubrication, low speed means low pressure and poor lubrication. Proceed at your own risk!
Sounds very cool tho.....
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,311
Likes: 1
From: -
if you have efi and tuner you can set the rpm lower.
otherwise you set the idle speed on the carby via the idle screw.
either way this is a really dumb thing to do.
Firstly the oil flow at idle below 1000 is too low, cooling is compromised.
Secondly the twin cam uses plain cam bearings which require oil pressure for lubrication, low speed means low pressure and poor lubrication. Proceed at your own risk!
Sounds very cool tho.....
otherwise you set the idle speed on the carby via the idle screw.
either way this is a really dumb thing to do.
Firstly the oil flow at idle below 1000 is too low, cooling is compromised.
Secondly the twin cam uses plain cam bearings which require oil pressure for lubrication, low speed means low pressure and poor lubrication. Proceed at your own risk!
Sounds very cool tho.....
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 565
Likes: 1
From: Pittsburgh
Hello everybody
I have a question regarding the idle RPM for Harley. I am watching on Youtube different HD's and I noticed that many of them have a low RPM at idle. Mine is a RK 2002 FLHRI and it has a higher idle RPM. It is in normal range but it still rotates faster than other seen on net.
It is a matter of stage I or II or it's about mapping?
Here is a idle low RPM example!
...and this is what I hear on my bike!
I have a question regarding the idle RPM for Harley. I am watching on Youtube different HD's and I noticed that many of them have a low RPM at idle. Mine is a RK 2002 FLHRI and it has a higher idle RPM. It is in normal range but it still rotates faster than other seen on net.
It is a matter of stage I or II or it's about mapping?
Here is a idle low RPM example!
...and this is what I hear on my bike!
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,852
Likes: 2,493
From: Decatur, Alabama
The idle on my 98 RKC was pretty low when I got it. I adjusted the hot and cold idle settings per the good book and it now runs much better. No more popping on decel and the motor doesn't try and shake itself to death at idle.
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,218
Likes: 0
From: Yakima WA
If you have to have / want the idle sound of the first bike, sell your twin cam and buy a shovel head. They could idle that slow, different crank, bearing system, oiling system. As others have stated, the fatboy in the first video is idling too slow to be any good for the engine.
Twin cams can idle wicked even at the correct idle speed (the SE 120R in my 06 dyna fits that description). Correct cam and tune will sound very good but will not usually deliver that old style potato potato idle.
Twin cams can idle wicked even at the correct idle speed (the SE 120R in my 06 dyna fits that description). Correct cam and tune will sound very good but will not usually deliver that old style potato potato idle.