TC96-Hot legs!

[eezyrider123]

Got 1100 miles on the clock, first service done so went in search of the sun.
Took the ferry across to Brittany and it was wet and miserable. Headed south and got a couple of days of sunshine but storms were forecast so went to Spain. Got to Burgos and it was warm. Then went across to the Chaves rally in Portugal to meet up with some friends. Cracking rally with all food supplied in with the ticket price. Headed south and across the border to Salamanca and it was hot. From then on it was T-shirt and jeans. Down to Toledo, Jaen and Motril with temps in 40's .

The motor in my 09 Street Bob was ferkin' hot to the point where it was not just uncomfortable but the heat on my right leg was becoming painful.
From then on we started looking at the weather forecasts to find a cooler route back. I decided to stick to coast roads in the hope it would be cooler but it wern't. Everywhere we went it was in the high 30's or 40 degs.
It wasn't until we got to Perpignan that it cooled down and stayed cool over the Millau bridge, through Clermont Ferrand, Le Mans and up to Caen.

The bike is bog standard apart from the Nightrider leads but I suppose in these ambient temps it's expecting too much for them to help. I had decided that a fan was the next option but the LeNale fan has got some bad feedback with multiple failures after a few weeks.

So what options are left? Not use the bike when it's too hot or get some asbestos pants?

We did 4042 miles in 28 days so I think it's had a fair test.

[DeuceBG]

Stage one it mate.

[grbrown]

To comply with modern exhaust emissions all recent vehicles run very lean, which causes them to get hot. Applies to cars and bikes, just very noticeable on a Harley.

Your bike has a variety of features that are only there to comply with exhaust and noise emissions. These include very high gearing, quiet hence restrictive air box and exhaust system, as well as engine timing and air/fuel ratios as part of the emissions package.

The solution is indeed to have a conversion, although IMHO you can pick and mix. Best to talk things through with your dealer. They may offer you a complete stage 1 package guv, but be wary just what that comprises. It can include changing the mufflers or entire exhaust but does not have to do so - those are the most expensive/profitable bits. A new air filter such as SE will improve breathing, but most importantly the engine management system is reprogrammed to restore the lean burn to traditional ratios. The engine will give improved performance and run cooler.

So you don't have to be uncomfortable, but do have to decide how much you would like to change. If you like the bike to run quiet, just do air filter and reprogramme the engine. You can gain substantially improved performance by changing the gearing. On a standard exhaust that would really set other Harley owners into a spin!

[eezyrider123]

Forgot to mention it's also got Screaming Eagles on.

Thanks for the info.
I take in what's said above and I know how lean they run hence the Nightrider leads. Thing is I'd be unhappy about spending say, a grand on the bike if it didn't vastly improve the comfort even though it would improve the efficiency overall.

So I guess the question has to be, has anyone run a TC96 in these temps with a stage one and if so what's it like?

To be honest it was that bad that some days we were only riding about 130 miles and we were getting off the bike absolutely knackered.

[DeuceBG]

Originally Posted by eezyrider123

Forgot to mention it's also got Screaming Eagles on.

Thanks for the info.
I take in what's said above and I know how lean they run hence the Nightrider leads. Thing is I'd be unhappy about spending say, a grand on the bike if it didn't vastly improve the comfort even though it would improve the efficiency overall.

So I guess the question has to be, has anyone run a TC96 in these temps with a stage one and if so what's it like?

To be honest it was that bad that some days we were only riding about 130 miles and we were getting off the bike absolutely knackered.

I run a 96" FXDF with a SERT Fueler, Heavy Breather intake and Shortshots.
Even on the hottest days we've had here, it's never been as bad as you describe (Not that we've ever seen 40 degrees).
I know a few guys with the same problem as you even with UK temperatures and at least one of them is going the Stage One route.
It seems to cure most of the overheating issues as far as I can see.

Graham

I'd be interested to hear about your experiences with altering the gearing for low-down torque improvement.
The Bob goes well as it is IMHO but any reasonably cheap mods that actually achieve something are always interesting.

Cheers
Deuce

[grbrown]

Originally Posted by DeuceBG

I'd be interested to hear about your experiences with altering the gearing for low-down torque improvement.
The Bob goes well as it is IMHO but any reasonably cheap mods that actually achieve something are always interesting.

Cheers
Deuce

Deuce,

Follow the link I gave in the earlier post to see the benefits. I have a SE kit on my Dyna, which replaces the original 25T with a 21T and includes a shorter primary chain. 19% increase in torque! Reduces gearing to about 19mph per 1,000rpm, which may be too much for some, but rolls on a treat in top gear! Cheapest way of tuning a Harley!

[DeuceBG]

Originally Posted by grbrown

Deuce,

Follow the link I gave in the earlier post to see the benefits. I have a SE kit on my Dyna, which replaces the original 25T with a 21T and includes a shorter primary chain. 19% increase in torque! Reduces gearing to about 19mph per 1,000rpm, which may be too much for some, but rolls on a treat in top gear! Cheapest way of tuning a Harley!

Cheers Graham

How much difference does this make to top end?
Is there much more vibration through the gears?
And the BIG question...How much does it all cost?

Deuce

[weedavie_j]

Originally Posted by eezyrider123

Got 1100 miles on the clock, first service done so went in search of the sun.
Took the ferry across to Brittany and it was wet and miserable. Headed south and got a couple of days of sunshine but storms were forecast so went to Spain. Got to Burgos and it was warm. Then went across to the Chaves rally in Portugal to meet up with some friends. Cracking rally with all food supplied in with the ticket price. Headed south and across the border to Salamanca and it was hot. From then on it was T-shirt and jeans. Down to Toledo, Jaen and Motril with temps in 40's .

The motor in my 09 Street Bob was ferkin' hot to the point where it was not just uncomfortable but the heat on my right leg was becoming painful.
From then on we started looking at the weather forecasts to find a cooler route back. I decided to stick to coast roads in the hope it would be cooler but it wern't. Everywhere we went it was in the high 30's or 40 degs.
It wasn't until we got to Perpignan that it cooled down and stayed cool over the Millau bridge, through Clermont Ferrand, Le Mans and up to Caen.

The bike is bog standard apart from the Nightrider leads but I suppose in these ambient temps it's expecting too much for them to help. I had decided that a fan was the next option but the LeNale fan has got some bad feedback with multiple failures after a few weeks.

So what options are left? Not use the bike when it's too hot or get some asbestos pants?

We did 4042 miles in 28 days so I think it's had a fair test.

Hi easyrider, sounds like a really nice trip, I did something similar ( half those miles in 12 days ) a couple of years ago in those temps. and suffered the same hot leg on my TC 88 Nightrain with stage 1 and V&H radius pipes.
The other thing to do is keep a close eye on your oil level. Mines uses std. 20/50 and in those kind of temps over a prolonged period my bike did use some oil.

[eezyrider123]

Originally Posted by weedavie_j

Hi easyrider, sounds like a really nice trip, I did something similar ( half those miles in 12 days ) a couple of years ago in those temps. and suffered the same hot leg on my TC 88 Nightrain with stage 1 and V&H radius pipes.
The other thing to do is keep a close eye on your oil level. Mines uses std. 20/50 and in those kind of temps over a prolonged period my bike did use some oil.

Thanks for that. I suspected that even with stage one it would still be too hot for comfort. I think maybe I'm expecting too much comfort from the circumstances. Could also explain why we seen very few bikes on the roads. I checked the oil and did not use any perhaps because the bike was virtually new.There's an oil mist stain around the bottom of the front cylinder though and with the grey cases it won't come off. Due it's 5000 service now so I'll let the dealer see to it under warranty.
Regards EZ

[grbrown]

Originally Posted by DeuceBG

Cheers Graham

How much difference does this make to top end?
Is there much more vibration through the gears?
And the BIG question...How much does it all cost?

Deuce

Deuce,

Frankly I haven't actually tried to ride it flat out! Theoretical top speed is reduced to about 118mph, which is far more likely than roughly 140mph as standard! I hope that puts performance into perspective. Another way of looking at it is that fifth is now only just higher than fourth before the change, so it is a bit like riding round in fourth all the time. Means far less gear changing.

Doesn't vibrate any more than before. This bike is not smooth at all, so it always vibrates! Don't know why they bothered with 'rubber' mounts....

The kit cost approx £130, plus fitting (we had it done at the same time as a service). Part no is 40331-02: 'Kit, Primary Drive F', although what the F is the start of I am not sure! Comprises 21T sprocket and chain, also needs gasket and oil of course, plus tools.

Someone else asked the same question a while ago and couldn't find the kit, but the parts must be available separately if necessary. I am sure a dealer or indy can supply.