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Red Hot Pipes in Boston

Discussion in 'Motorcycle Tech Talk' started by FranksGlide, Dec 1, 2004.

  1. FranksGlide

    FranksGlide New Member

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    Hi guys, please bare with me as I am new to all of this.Proud owner of an 04 Road Glide,dealer installed SE air filter,chip/download & touring mufflers.My question is, I purchased V&H True Duels and using my mufflers I installed them myself,new gaskets and seemed to go pretty well until i started it up, the 1st few times only for a few minutes. Worked on a few other things then decided to run it for a while cause it was sitting for a week or 2. About 8 to 10 minutes into this i noticed the head pipes where it bolts to the engine where Glowing Red Hot like a torch was on it.Does anyone know why this happen?And should I be worried about any kind of damage?The Bike seemed to run ok.
    Any help would be much appreciated
  2. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

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    They will get hot, that's where all the exhaust gasses are coming out from the mix burning, if it's a bit lean that will be worse but to quote a famous HD tech at the shop,,,,

    They all do that. ;)
  3. FranksGlide

    FranksGlide New Member

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    Thanks for the reply Hotroadking.
    I did not notice that with the stock head pipes so i was a little puzzled.
    Thinking i need to bring it to the dealer
  4. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

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    Just make sure everthing is installed correctly nothing is loose
  5. CD

    CD Guest

    The V&H true dual header will relieve some of the back pressure. That might just be enough to make it lean enough to glow. The Exhaust Gas Temp (EGT) is it's highest at that point and can be over 500ยบ in some cases.

    Keep and eye on it and listen to what the bike is telling you. If you see gold at the inlet of the muffer just as it flairs out into the body, you are too lean. If you get a lot of lean popping under deceleration, you are too lean.

    If the engine just seems to run hotter or pings or has that can of marbles sound, you are too lean...

    Hey, this is sounding like a Jeff Foxworthy story.

    How do you know when your bike is too lean?

    If your engine is a pinging and your pipes are a glowing then, you just might be too lean.
  6. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

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    stage 1 doesn't add a ton of fuel, so it could be lean, best bet is to get it dyno tuned, a race tuner is the deal for the efi bikes you can keep changing ignition and fuel as you add parts down the road, cams, heads, big bore etc.

    Get a dyno run with the AFR reading (air fuel ratio) this will tell the operator if you are lean and fuel needs to be added.
  7. FranksGlide

    FranksGlide New Member

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    Thanks for all the replys,its going to be a while before i can do anything because the bike is up on a jack half apart, adding lowers and more stripes.
  8. ricinfl

    ricinfl New Member

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    Too Lean?

    I found when I put a set of Thunder Headers on a Roadking that already had a S/E air cleaner that I was running too lean. I installed a "DFO". The seat of the pants dyno felt a difference and cured the lean condtion. Installing it is fairly simple and there are 4 pots to dial in. I'm sure CD can get you one.

    Ric
  9. FranksGlide

    FranksGlide New Member

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    Should I believe my Dealer

    Hi guys its been a while, hope everyone is doing well.You guys might not remember last november i was on asking questions about it.Well finally finished my bike and got it down to my dealer to be tuned ( Red hot Pipes in Boston ) 2004 Road Glide,stage 1 kit. Installed Vance&Hines True Duals and seems to be running very lean, header pipe on rear cylinder is red hot.
    My bike has been in there since the 21 of March, whats that 16-17 days now and all i wanted them to do is get it running the way it should.From what i can remember from your respones is that at a minimum a remap should get the bike back to good running order?????
    Sorry for being so long
    Question- dealer calls me a few days ago, says i need the race tuner? Do I really need it???????? I know it is probably the best thing, I know i was planning on it down the road, but do i really need it just to get the bike back running corectly???? Or am i buying something i dont need right now.
    Help.................
  10. VYBR8R

    VYBR8R New Member

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    Red Hot in Boston

    The Stage 1 download that you have on your bike is for the Air Cleaner. Once you install a free flowing exhaust system you are LEAN!!!!!!! If you have long term aspirations of building performance over time I would suggest either the Power Commander or Race Tuner as they can be tuned to your specific bike combination and riding style with a Dyno Tune. That way you are already prepared for future upgrades. You are right about the dealer, It doesn't take 2 weeks to diagnose a lean running condition.
  11. AFNurse

    AFNurse Moderator Staff Member

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    Not only that, but with the PCIII, YOU can install that yourself (as a moron with a motorcycle, I was able to do it!!) and download a map that is close from the Power Commander website. Then if you feel it is needed, take your time and find a shop that has a dyno that can tune it. Not sure I would trust a shop that takes 2 weeks to tell you it is running lean!!! Race Tuner may be "more programable and tunable", but if I understand everything that I have read on it, you will not be able to tune it yourself as easily...... Good Luck!
  12. wmiconi

    wmiconi New Member

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    Power Commanders Rule

    I installed mine and I don't know how to close a book.

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