Idle question

[MB1953]

OK, I want to throw this out for opinion/discussion before I take it to the dealer.

My '14 TriGlide is stock engine-wise. No slip-ons, no AC, no decatted header, no tuner (yet). It generally runs like gang-busters, but my comparisons were my '06 Deluxe and my '08 Heritage.

At idle, it has the typical HD lope, but about once every 20-30 seconds, it gives out with a sort of hiccup that sounds like knock or ping, then back to normal. It also seems to lack a little of the off-idle throttle response that it had when I first bought it a year ago; it now has 15K miles on it.

I hate taking it to the dealer, because the service guys there tend to treat you like you "should know better" and "we really are doing you a favor just by looking at your bike", followed by "that will be 100, please.

I am looking at AC and tuner, but don't want to do anything before I get this behind me. Sorry for sounding like a complete moron, but this is my first NEW HD with a warranty, and I want to do it right.

Thanks in advance,

 

[rhino 2]

For 50 dollars I'll tell you what the dealer will probably say...
They all do that...
But all kidding aside, You have a warranty, Have them look at it..

 

[DK Custom Products]

I would ask for a compression test and a leak down test, and if they have a scope, to take a look at the combustion chamber for carbon build up.

Kevin

 

[Gorilla]

dime to donuts Your compensator is starting to show signs of wear.

 

[msocko3]

dime to donuts Your compensator is starting to show signs of wear.

:Agree:It could be a compensator issue, the MoCo still hasn't come out with a design which doesn't die an early death.

 

[MB1953]

So if it got to that, is the compensator a warranty issue? I have not looked into the warranty coverage yet, but have had a few small things taken care of. I was told when I bought it that the MOCO warranty covered "everything"... that is kind of a black hole.

 

[DK Custom Products]

So if it got to that, is the compensator a warranty issue? I have not looked into the warranty coverage yet, but have had a few small things taken care of. I was told when I bought it that the MOCO warranty covered "everything"... that is kind of a black hole.

I have had MANY compensators replaced under warranty. 3 on one bike. Definitely a covered item.

It is not an unusual item to go on any TC, especially the Tri-Glides.

A worn compensator could be the clunk/knock you're hearing at an idle. However, that is NOT the cause of sluggish acceleration.

Kevin

Kevin

 

[Sloufoot]

If you can hear a klunk when you shut down as the engine stops it is definitely a compensator. But it might not be that bad yet. Just starting to get loose from wear.
If you are on warranty don't let them stop looking until it's fixed. Don't accept a "that's normal" !

 

[Gorilla]

Also when the compensator gets worn you will sometimes hear a backfire in the exhaust when you startup.

 

[MB1953]

Thanks for the inputs! I will be making a service appointment to get it looked over before we head for NC in May to hit the Dragon.

 

[msocko3]

Also when the compensator gets worn you will sometimes hear a backfire in the exhaust when you startup.

They'll also sometimes let the engine kick back when starting. It's a crying shame when the aftermarket is also working on a solution to the poor compensator design. The one Baker Drivetrain is producing looks promising, will know once folks get some miles on it. The design is very much like the old design used on the pre 07 touring.

 

[headheaded]

maybe idle air selonoid dirty in throttle body. that little pintel valve can get dirty and it won't act quite right.

 

[msocko3]

maybe idle air selonoid dirty in throttle body. that little pintel valve can get dirty and it won't act quite right.

The throttle by wire throttle body doesn't have and IAC like the old cable actuated throttle bodies.

 

[MB1953]

I got a service appointment for this coming Friday. Will update once I hear from them...

 

[MB1953]

OK, so I called the dealer early this afternoon to see how they were doing with the TG... as I sort of suspected, svc. manager said the mechanics could not hear anything unusual from the engine or primary. He went on to say that they did comment on the left rear brake rattling, and that it needed adjustment. He then asked (for about the third time) who/where I had my service done. When I told him (again) that I did my own service, he pointed out that the parking brake adjustment was on the service schedule. I told him that yes, I knew that, I adjusted it every few weeks anyway since it would rapidly go out of adjustment. He said that they could adjust it, but that my rear brakes were getting very thin, and said that it would cost me $100 to have them adjust it. I commented that $100 was a lot for about 5 minutes of work; he said the wheels have to come off. When I told him to look at page 1-17 in the trike supplement for the procedure, he changed the subject. When I got there to pick it up, it had the brake set. He said your bike is ready, I adjusted the brake for free. You need brakes, but we don't have them in stock.

Evidently, I am still imagining the same engine symptoms, but I am also going to search for a different dealer. This shop believes in nothing but HD parts. I asked about increasing performance, and they said sure, SE air cleaner and SEST, but we can't dyno a trike, so it is a guess. I mentioned Arlen Ness Big Sucker and TTS or PowerVision, and was told "I think that would be a mistake". They have another shop across town, and when I spoke to one of the service consultants there about Fullsac, Arlen Ness Big Sucker and TTS, his response was immediately "I think you would be very happy with that setup". It is another hour to get there, and they are always busier than the closer one, but maybe I have to start taking my business to them.

[rant off]

 

[Steve on 3]

Mark,

If the other shop is busier, there is usually a reason. I probably would not take my trike back to the first shop. Good luck. Lots of folks have and like the Power Vision.

 

[msocko3]

OK, so I called the dealer early this afternoon to see how they were doing with the TG... as I sort of suspected, svc. manager said the mechanics could not hear anything unusual from the engine or primary. He went on to say that they did comment on the left rear brake rattling, and that it needed adjustment. He then asked (for about the third time) who/where I had my service done. When I told him (again) that I did my own service, he pointed out that the parking brake adjustment was on the service schedule. I told him that yes, I knew that, I adjusted it every few weeks anyway since it would rapidly go out of adjustment. He said that they could adjust it, but that my rear brakes were getting very thin, and said that it would cost me $100 to have them adjust it. I commented that $100 was a lot for about 5 minutes of work; he said the wheels have to come off. When I told him to look at page 1-17 in the trike supplement for the procedure, he changed the subject. When I got there to pick it up, it had the brake set. He said your bike is ready, I adjusted the brake for free. You need brakes, but we don't have them in stock.

Evidently, I am still imagining the same engine symptoms, but I am also going to search for a different dealer. This shop believes in nothing but HD parts. I asked about increasing performance, and they said sure, SE air cleaner and SEST, but we can't dyno a trike, so it is a guess. I mentioned Arlen Ness Big Sucker and TTS or PowerVision, and was told "I think that would be a mistake". They have another shop across town, and when I spoke to one of the service consultants there about Fullsac, Arlen Ness Big Sucker and TTS, his response was immediately "I think you would be very happy with that setup". It is another hour to get there, and they are always busier than the closer one, but maybe I have to start taking my business to them.

[rant off]

I'd sure look for a different dealer also. FWIW with the 14 and later having an improved air box I wouldn't mess with a stage 1 air cleaner. I'd put what exhaust on I wanted and then tune it with the TTS. The difference you may see with a stage 1 air cleaner vs stock will be marginal and not felt in the seat of the pants, it will all be at WOT 5,000 or greater RPM.

If you want a cleanable air filter you could toss in K&N pn HD-1614 which is a direct replacement for the stock air filter.

 

[MB1953]

Thanks for the info and pointers here; that's why we are all here to share, and I use everything I read here as a learning tool. This place is the best, and the best part is that it is free help, unlike the dealers, who mostly want you to pay for anything, even if you don't really need it. Guess I am on the hunt for a different dealer!

 

[tom w]

I had a rattle in the valve train and was told it was normal sound for a v twin. on 4 visits I mentioned it and ask them check it out. 3000 miles later (after warranty now ) I had to have cam , lifters, and oil pump replaced. the roller bearings had gone out on the lifter and fragments passed through the oil pump. I guess I was lucky that was all it tore up.

I am learning a lot about h.d. motors in my old age.

 

[MB1953]

That is the main reason that I chose to keep the 4 year extended warranty and ride the p**s out of it. If it breaks I have it covered. At this point, I have everything sunk into this ride, so I have to make sure it will last...