Hi there, I am new to owning a Harley and am trying to learn how to fix things for myself. I have a few questions needing answering.
I was wondering how to get to the indicator globe on my 06 Softail? It has the standard type of indicators, and the left rear indicator is not working, and the one at the front is flashing quickly. I would like to check the globe firstly to see if it has blown, or a possible loose connection. Can you remove the indicator lense, and if so how? What would possibly be the next step if the globe is not the problem?
Second question is that I have noticed a bit of a momentary misfire or cough whilst cruising at slow speeds like around 60 Kay's an hour in approximately 4th gear. My first thoughts are to remove the plugs, and replace with new ones. Any other suggestions?
Lastly, I don't hear any alarm chirp when trying to set off the bike security system. The indicators flash, but no alarm sounds at all. Where Is the siren located, or is it wired into the horn?
I appreciate everbodies advice, and hope to somehow repay my gratitude in the future.
Cheers, Ashley.
P.S can I upload photos directly from my iPhone?
Hi there
You can set the chirp through instruction on Smart Security in your Owners Manual. If you don'y have one I'll look up mine (09 FLHTCU) and give you a guide. I'm not sure if they all "programme" the same but it should be fairly simple.
Cheers
Hi Conmore, it would be great if you could do that, my bike didn't come with an owners manual, so I will eventually get around to getting one from a dealer. Cheers heaps.
Just an update, I have replaced the left rear indicator globe, smeared some silicon grease on the globe contact tip left over from the old globe and all are working fine now. Thanks to Hmmm for your lens removal hint. On the other hand after putting in new spark plugs, and ensuring the leads were firmly located, the bike is still spluttering at low speeds, and a fair bit of crackling in the exhaust. I took the plugs out, and a friend re-gapped the plugs using a feeler gauge so that they are approximately .4mm - .5mm gap. Out of the packet the plugs were .9mm. The spark plug tips were a whitish colour, after have travelling approximately 30 Kilometers this afternoon. Is this normal when running 98 octane fuel? My thoughts were that it could be running too lean. My friend did a bit of searching on another forum, with a similar topic suggesting to check for intake and exhaust leaks, as well as checking the idle screw. Being an EFI engine, one would assume that the ECM controls any fuel mixtures. I am not keen on making any adjustments to the intake, due to my complete lack of experience. The exhaust pipes are short shot type and end at the swing arm pivot. Could this be a contributer to the above problem? I have bought a second hand set of V&H 2 into 1 pipes which are going to be fitted on Saturday, and wonder if these would help the tuning issue?
I really don't want to miss out taking part with the Blackdog Ride this Sunday due to mechanical problems. Thanks once again for all your input so far, Regards Ash.
Cheers hmmm, will keep you all posted on updates. Hopefully it just turns out to be something very simple, and easy to fix. Luckily I will be getting some help from a Harley mechanic fitting the pipes, maybe he will be able to pin point the cause.
When Checking plugs for Mixture, it pays to do the speed you normally ride at for say 10kl, then while maintaing this speed 'kill' your engine coming to a stop with your clutch in on a convenient back road or Hwy. Allow the engine to cool a little then remove the leads & plugs & check the colour of your plugs, this method gives you the true tune of your engine at the speed you ride it! Also if they are white, they are running lean which indicates an air leak on your 'INTAKE' manifold, or incorrect fuel/air ratio. It is also possible that you have a blown head gasket or cracked head, sucking in air. You really want to sort this problem out as you will eventually melt a piston or burn out a valve!
PS do your self a favor & purchase yourself a cheap compression tester from Supercheap or Auto barn, & check your cylenders while cold. There should not be anymore than 5 to 10% differance in both cylinders, then when you check out your plugs on the road check your compression again & compare the two, & get back to us with the results! By the way the plugs should be a nice light brown colour, anything else is not acceptable. Cheers.
From my Owners Manual for an 09 FLHTCU.
SIREN CHIRP MODE (CONFIRMATION)
In the chirpless mode the siren does not chirp on arming or disarming.
NOTE
Even when armed in the chirpless mode the siren still chirps warnings on movement and will activate the alarm through cycles.
Chirp Mode
On arming in the chirp mode, the siren responds with two chirps. When disarming, the siren responds with a single chirp.
Switching Modes
Cycling quickly through two armings and disarmings will switch the system from either chrpless mode or the chirp mode to its opposite.
1. With the fob present, the ignition switch to ON and system disarmed, turn the ignition switch OFF.
2. When the system arms (2 flashes of turn signals), immediately turn the ignition switch to ON.
3. Wait until the security lamp goes out, then immediately turn the ignition OFF.
4. When the system arms (2 flashes of turn signals), immediately turn the ignition switch to ON and wait for system to disarm.
HTH
Cheers Conmore, I had just read your post. Will give it a go tomorrow. As for spark plug gap, I reset it to .89 mm using a gap setting tool purchased quite a few years ago, which had been forgotten about until just the other weekend. V&H 2-1's were fitted on the last weekend of April, tuning is much better, and the exhaust note improved too.
