[skull2007]

would it be correct to say thata bike should never pop and fart. mine does it when i down shift going down hill (cold or hot). i'm thinking i may need to correct my speed before down shifting (i know i need a tech). other than that i get a nice gentle rumble, and he runs great. i've checked my exhaust; no leaks. plugs look good, i've added fuel which which he always responds to except the down hill thing.anything else i should be looking at? has nearly 17'000 mis. i'm thinking about replacing the exhaust gaskets with those s.e's just to be sure

[chucktx]

i think most all exhaust systems have a decel "rumble/pop" to them, even factory....i cant hear it so it is really hard to tell. has it done this since the bike was upgraded????

[skull2007]

no, it started after i started leaning it out in what i guess(don't have a tech) to be 3000rpm range because it seemed to be running a little rich and getting poor mpg while crusing around 70. been playing around with the pc. swiched back to a map that didn't do it in the past. but still seems to do it with the downhill thing. i could add some fuel or go with a richer map, but don't know if they all do these things with down shifting down hill? fine tuning isn't as easy as i thought, but i figure i have to learn somehow. but at the same time i don't want to burn a valve or somehow do any damage

[AFNurse]

I run a simple download map that matches my bike.....and the harder I decel, the more pop I get....sometimes to the extent that I almost wonder if others are thinking about gunshots...... SOMEDAY, I will get a custom map that will hopefully get some of this worked out!!

[Clem]

The lean burn and its related symptoms can cause a decelleration pop and crackel from the exhaust. I've found that this intake gasket arrangement is not working and makes similar problems/symptoms. I have changed these stock intakes three times now and for a while the engine is smooth as silk with no vibrations, popping or uneven running - I have a pair of aftermarket silicone gaskets to try soon - very soon.

I attempted to mix and match maps for the PC with very little response due to this lean condition at low RPMs. The engine would hesitate, and buck and balk at low speed making the bike a chore to ride in traffic. The intake gaskets are the problem - especially for some reason the rear cylinder. I finally had to have the bike dynoed to make a correct map and found that I had been fighting these leaking gaskets with the PC...

Also, a decelleration pop is very symptomatic of an exhaust gasket leak or a degree of reversion. Low back pressure exhaust typically will pop on downshift due to low back pressure - reversion.

Hope this helps a bit...
Bill C.

[skull2007]

well, sounds like i'm not the only one then. seems like a curse or something. about the time you think you've got it right the popin and farting starts. I'' going to go ahead and replace the exhaust and intake gaskets. Could use some advice on gaskets. called the olde steeler , he claims they use stock exhaust gaskets instead of s.e's. he admitts that V/H recommends using s.e's, but they like the stock ones better. which would you guys go with? also any recommendations on intake gaskets? and from your experience approx. how long would you guys say intake gaskets typically last?

[Red Rider]

True story - "upgraded" to SE about 15000 miles ago and they failed within a week. Dealer (Reno H-D is actually a good group, so not using "stealer" with them) gave me new SE pair and gently reminded me how not to screw it up - but the second set failed, too. They then gave me a set of the "old" gaskets and they were fine until Monday when I put the V-H Pro pipe on.

[hotroadking]

I like the se for the fit they don't spread out into the air flow of the exhaust, the stock conical shaped do squish and offer a wider contact potential however for performance the SE.

Haven't had any fail on me and I run the SE's which are basically the old style EVO flatter ring gaskets.

[skull2007]

thanks to all the info i'm going to go with the SE exhaust gaskets and replace the intakes which i'm sure now have a small leak. thikin hard about goin with ar cones. i'm thinkin if nothing else they may protect against reversion, which i'm thinking may be what blows intake gaskets. anybody had much experince with ar cones? i've heard they can increase head temps?

[Clem]

The benefit of the 'cones' out-weighs any expense and installation hassle. Your exhaust flow will not be effected, as a matter of fact inhibiting reversion will help with expelling exhaust. The shock wave (reversion) can do damage to the head, exhaust gasket and in severe cases, the exhaust valve. The surface for a good seal to exhaust port is also increased by the use of a good quality (machined) anti-reversion tube. You can't go wrong....

Happy trails...,
Bill C.

Also; I've never heard of reversion effecting the intake gasket... and also doubtful that these anti-reversion tubes cause increased head temp....seems the fact that you are not allowing exhaust to 'come back' would decrease head temp? (sounds good anyhow...)

[JWboxter]

I had vance and hines fuel pack and stagged piped and a upgraded stage one air filter on my harley duece. I had no problem, but after dropping my bike in a accident I notice that 2 months later I had a pinging sound and back firing. My friend say that I have blue fire coming out of the back of my pipes.

Pinging may have been the bad gas as it no longer pings, but have checked the ehaust pipes for leaks, etc. but the poping continues. I am thinking about putting in new exhaust gasket to see what happens. If I get no change thinking about replacing the fuel pack with a power commander any suggestions. My warranty will expire in a month and I need to solve this problem. Any suggesti0ns.

[skull2007]

i was having quite the time with popping and farting with decel. i replaced the exhaust gaskets and intakes which didn't really help much. what i finailly discovered was that the V/H clamps where at fault no matter how much i tightened them the popping/farting would start up after 20 -30 mis. what i did was change over to the stock HD clamps. the hd clamps are far better quality than V/H. so.... before doing anything else i would recommend first using the best quality clamps you can get your hands on, could save you alot and money

[scottf]

I think the popping may be caused by a to lean condition. How do your plugs look? Are they white? They should be a light tan color.