Hey all in HD land....

Wondering if any members have any experience or comments on running in a new 103B in factory fit, or with SE pipes, street tuner and hi flow?

Any advantages or disadvantages to either setup?

The bike is a Softail Slim. I will do an oil and filter change at 100ks or so.

After much reading ( great info on here, a credit to all members ) I plan on slightly gentle ' ride it like you stole it ' method. Limiting rpm and temp but getting high cylinder pressures after 100ks is up.

Cheers

If it's a brand new bike I think the dealer likes to do the first service so id check with them and any warranty implications re doing mods during the initial engine run in.

Ah, I didn't mention the bike is at the dealers waiting on SE heat shields. The bike was to be delivered with the above mods.

I can take it now in stock form if I wish.

I guess I was wondering if it is preferable to do the run in, say to the first service, on a 103B in stock form, then add the SE bits......

Makes no difference really, although "if" they tune it properly, which dealerships aren't known for being good at, yes better to get it done first before running in

Slim, i would take it stock do the first what ever k's? before first free dealer service, get them to put the se bits on & tune to suit.

 

Thanx for the input guys.

Looks like circumstances are going to decide it. The parts are still 'a week or so away'......

I traded my road bike already, over a week ago, and am itching for a ride so will go pick it today and do the first ks on it stock. They can fit the mods on the first service.

 

Time to eat some bugs ??........Giddy up!

The Owners Manual has the details of how to run it in. Read that before you ride it. From the Dyna book its first 80km below 3000 rpm in any gear. After that its up to 3500 rpm until 800km. Avoid lugging the engine by not running at low speed in higher gears. Avoid hard breaking for the first 300km. I have done 3500 km now and never go above 3500 rpm anyway, as I don't feel the need to need to. 99% of time its below 3000 rpm. I keep it over 2000 rpm, except sometimes in a tight slow corner when it gets down to around 1800 rpm in second for a brief time. You can do 100kph in 6th at 2,200 rpm. Hard to decide between 4th and 5th when doing 80kph as 5th wants you to do 85kph. But can handle 80kph when run in.

When you think you should change down. I would say below 2000 rpm is lugging. Keep it above 2000rpm even 2200 rpm. It will be obvious when you ride it.

'lugging' is from the owners manual, not my words

Does anyone run their bike above 3000rpm when cruising ?

Never lug the engine.

In an ideal world , I would "run a bike in" WITH any Screamin' Eagle parts from day 1

Back in the day , the HD dealer would have put the "go faster" bits on before you took it away from the shop.

Then for years it was a " first service " gig

Since 2007 model year with the stock O2 sensors , the bikes have all been "lean" from the factory due to emissions requirements

The bikes will run "cooler" temperature wise if the SE parts are all fitted up from day 1

Oh , and I always do an "early" oil and filter change AND another at 1600 K's

Lugging is the worst thing for it and yes I agree, if you ride a bike you should not need to have the word lugging explained to you lol

Ride it normally, don't be frightened to give it a gut full (without flogging fuck out of it), just make sure you short shift it whilst doing so

My Slim left the dealer with stage 4 kit and V&H zorst. Took it gentle for first 1,000, but didn't try to go up a hill under 2400 Rpm.
After 1000kms, am staying under 4,500rpm. Higher range not for prolonged period at those revs, just a fang on the old Pac Hwy in Sydney.
At 2200kms now, not burning oil, goes hard.

Got hot in city riding though, have cooler fans fitted to cylinders and external (small H-D) oil cooler fitted. Stays around 95c-110c now. Got to 130c before cooling stuff fitted.

Lugging seems to me to be under 2400 under minor load. Big hill, 3,000rpm. Might be wrong, but engine seems happy with this.

Thx for the input folks, picked up the sled yesterday, couldn't take the unknown wait on the SE parts.

Have been short shifting, max 3500rpm or so. But giving it plenty of right hand. Probably rolled past 3500 a couple of times but I don't think that is an issue if it's only on occasion.

Dealer told me 'not to baby it, got to seat the rings well'. Heard this way more than ' follow the manual '..... Who am I to go against the collective wisdom of the HD brains trust ??

And besides its way more fun.

No lugging of coarse!!!! ( staying away from that one ) Or sustained rpm.

After getting home from the extended route to mine, found a weep at the connection from the oil tank feed to engine, no biggie I think, might even be residue but not taking any chances. That's what warranty is for.
Anyway a couple of quick pics to follow shortly.

 

Nice looking color scheme you have there slimjay

Two bikes.....Two dogs.....all good.

Hi SlimJay,, In life wise people say ,, In life your are entitled to ,, one good woman ,, one good dog ,, one good horse/bike ... anything else is a bonus !!!!!

Your one lucky man !!!! Great ride you have there ,,, +1 on the color scheme .....