Hi all hope someone can help,

I have an 07 Softail standard.  It has big radius pipes and high flow air filter.  Not long after i bought the bike it started to back fire, pop and carry on (more than would be expected), and wanted to stall out at lights and stopping in traffic etc... I took it back to where i bought it (non HD Dealer).  They said it was becasue there was a leak in exhast and replaced the gasket and tightened it back up.  It was also throwing a engine warning light, which they said was due to having a non EFI set of pipes with no O2 sensors etc.. but said it shouldn't be a problem.  This almost fixed the propblem, however it still very intermitently wants to stall out from time to time.

I happened to be at a local HD dealer and got talking to one of the mechanic/techs there. He came and looked over the bike and i told hime what had happened previously and the advice i was given.  He noted that the end of the O2 sensor wires/plugs had just been cut off and floded back over, and that it had no after market fuel management sytem (power commander, SE etc..).  He stated that this would be causing some problems due to the EFI not rgulating properly (with the addition of pipes and air filter), and something that should be addressed sooner rather than latter.  He also suggested that this could be the cause of the exessive popping, backfiring and stalling.  His advice was that i should ideally look at getting a new set of pipes (with O2 sensor), and a fuel management system.  

It was suggested I go back to where i got the bike from and ask how they can say it is fixed and tuned properly when it can't be with what the bike is currently running. I unfortuanately know what there answer will be - "sorry mate, not our problem, you bought the bike knowing what it had on it".  I've already had a few dramas with them since buying the bike, and to be honest am sick of dealing with them.

So...my  question is, Do i need to get a set of pipes that run the O2 sensors, plus the fuel management system, or just the fuel management or none or something else.  I'm fairly new to the HD scene and EFI model bikes.  Alway had carby fed sports bikes in the past.

I really appreciate any help or advice that can be had.  Sorry for the long winded post.

Cheers

Luke

Sent you a PM Luke.

Hi Luke ,,,, You are going to get good advice here on what should /could be done, to get your bike running/tuned properly ....

But as you stated your new to efi harleys ,, you are going to hear all sorts of technical terms which you may not understand ,,,

My advice ,, post up what area you live in , and members may recommend a competent workshop/tuner in your area ,(or close by),, that will sort out your bike performance problems .... Go with the type of tuner the workshop recommends for your situation/ bike mods, ,,,, and all should be good ...

I'm on the Sunshine Coast, if that helps.
Cheers

Luke, check if there is a PC III, Dobeck or the like hidden under the seat or behind the rear guard tucked out of sight, to find it locate your ecm and follow the harness back, it will be close by if its there, cutting the sensor wires is rough but you would think whoever did that would of fitted something like the above to address fueling or flashed a different Calibration via a SEPST or the like and get put into open loop, if neither of those two things happened its running around with a closed loop cal looking for sensor feedback, check light would most likely be because there are no 02 eliminators fitted but a check of the codes thrown will clear that up.
Needs tuning though no matter what track you head down, you have a few options open to you but it would be wise to get onto it sooner rather than later.

Thanks for the help and info. Much appreciated.

hey man,
I also have a softail standard with big radius and heavy breather, I have a power commander 5 fitted with 18mm V&H bungs in the 02 sensors with the sensors removed from bike
You need a descent fuel management system to tune the engine

double post, fucken laptops

tending to agree that is the case mark
sounds very much like the symptoms

Where in Australia are you ?

Well I got onto the dealership that I bought it off and they have come to the party and replaced the sensors. Welded bungs into the current pipes. Didn't even have to fight them for it to get done. Error codes have gone now.

Now to sort out a tuner. Any to steer clear of or lean towards. Have been recommended a PC3 by a local acc shop, as it's just plug and play and piggy backs the standard ecu and easy to use...

Cheers again for the help..

The PC3 will require "disabling" of your newly installed O2 sensors , so what's the point of that ?

Three to choose from. Harley dealer Supertuner Pro , TTS Mastertune , Power Vision

Harley one easiest to get from any dealer

TTS easiest to use ( in my opinion )

Thanks for the advise on tuners. Prob going to look into the TTS.

But first have deal deal with the assclowns at the bike shop again. Only noticed after getting home that there is a massive chip out of paintwork of rear fender. About the size of a10 cent piece. Gone through top coat, old paint and down to bare material of fender. Not sure how it's happened (looks like it's been hit with a grinder!). You couldn't of done it without knowing you had hit the bike. Haven't been able to get in contact with manager yet. Sent email on Saturday when I found the damage but still no word. I'm pissed off big time. Not a easy fix as its on custom paintwork, that I can't see being matched....

I'm with Retroman on the tuner gig, as to your paint damage "fark"

I also have a Softail standard 2007. I have the O2 sensor ports in my exhaust blocked off with bungs, O2 sensor eliminators in the end of the harness that used to plug onto the O2 sensors. I am running a power commander 3. After I did this I dynoed the bike and haven't had a problem since.

In my experience the power commander 3 will give trouble , long before stock OEM electrics will

It's not IF but WHEN

I've now removed dozens of the things due to electrical discontinuity issues. There's HUNDREDS of male/female connectors to give potential problems

I hope you've kept the O2 sensors on the shelf for when that happens !