What does lean pinging sound like
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
From: Denver
What does lean pinging sound like
I was out riding today in the mountains near Denver. On the way back after I was out of the mountains, I started getting what sounded like something small rattling around in my exhaust header up by the head. It would occur on acceleration. It was about 90 degrees outside and my 2012 Street Glide had an oil temp of about 250 and a head temp that reached 200 at times. I was in some stop and go traffic at the time I started noticing it. The bike is stock so it's lean as hell to start with. Could this be just an overly lean condition? I'm scheduled to get pipes, mufflers, A/C and a tune in about 3 weeks. I'm letting if cool down completely before I take it out again to check it out.
What do you think?
dave
What do you think?
dave
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
From: Denver
Oh. Okay. That's what I was wondering. It's clear to me now. Thank you for that.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,268
Likes: 8
From: Detroit, the asshole of America
It's not too lean, the spark calibration is just too aggressive for the gasoline available in Denver. It's a calibration mistake on Harley's part, there is no reason for spark knock on a 100% stock bike. Most of the reports of ping I've seen have been from Denver-area altitudes, maybe they just completely forgot you don't have the same premium fuel as other people do at sea level...
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
From: Denver
Do you think that's what the sound is? I'm not sure what engine ping sounds like. I'm guessing it doesn't have the perfect tonal quality of a spoon on a champagne glass.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 806
Likes: 1
From: Carquinez Straights - Northern CA
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
From: Denver
It's not too lean, the spark calibration is just too aggressive for the gasoline available in Denver. It's a calibration mistake on Harley's part, there is no reason for spark knock on a 100% stock bike. Most of the reports of ping I've seen have been from Denver-area altitudes, maybe they just completely forgot you don't have the same premium fuel as other people do at sea level...
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,456
Likes: 132
From: Deep South, Louisiana
Before I would touch my bike I would run that tank and fill with Premium, Name brand fuel from a different station. Go ride the same road and see if it happens again. No telling what that station put in its tank. You may have a tank of Regular and paid for Premium.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,331
Likes: 56
From: north of Daytona
Pinging/Knocking under acceleration or while climbing an incline. Let off the gas.....and/or ride on level ground the sound goes away? That is 'pinging'. If you are not using high grade gasoline....give it a try every other tankful. If you are using high test exclusively...your engine may a little leaner than lean.
chuck the mensh
chuck the mensh