Running lean question

[john_xl1200c]

I am in the process of paying the tax on an 04 sporty. I put the SE II slip-ons on a couple of days ago and have an appointment next week with the dealer to rejet and adjust the carb (using the dyno). With the better flowing pipes, it seems I am already running hotter than normal. I have the SE Air Cleaner kit and don't really want to pay the dealer to put it on, but I live 20 miles from the dealer. Since I already think it is running hotter it seems stupid to put the SE Air kit on and run the bike that much leaner. <The question> Would installing the Air kit and keeping the enrichener partially open get me to the dealer without puting undo stress on the engine?

[Zuhaib]

To all of this, i say.. HUH!?
First, i think if you getting your Carb rejected and Dyno-tuned (Which i not really needed on a Stock bike..), the filter is comming off. I dont even think they will charge extra for putting on the new filter on as they will have to remove the old one. then agian my dealer charges by Hr, so i dont know how your will do.
Also, if you must install it yourself, you will not be running lean.. Hell, i think the new Air Filter might help you even without the rejecting. Yeah you will get some poping and stuff, but nothing that will cause your motor to die in 20 miles. I mean you should see how HD sells these bikes stock in CA, they are almost un-rideable.
EDIT:
The more i think, the more i have a feeling a bike running hot means it running rich, not lean.. Lean would get you the popping and hard cold start problem.

[john_xl1200c]

Ok, thanks for the reply. This is my first Harley and I haven't rode in 16 years. Just don't want to take a chance of messing it up and have heard alot of bad things about running a bike lean. I just let the dealer do it. I do live in the Denver area if that makes a difference.

BTW, my dealer said they would take their best guess, but they dyno would be a sure thing.

Thanks,
John

[HD1200R]

If you are willing to spend the money for the dyno time then go for it. Using a dyno for tuning a bike (even for minor changes) is always better than tuning by the seat of your pants.

With changing the air cleaner.. It's pretty easy to do and won't hurt the bike. Having the choke partially open for 20 miles however will. Install the new air cleaner and ride the bike like you normally would.

G'luck with the tune!

[Malpaso]

From: http://www.sportster.org/tech/basic-perf/harley-tax.txt

And actually, you folks who live in Denver or other mile-high places don't need to richen the idle and slow jets... the altitude does that for you... but you do need to rebalance the altitude-compensating main circuit for the air
cleaner and exhausts by making the main jet changes.

[Supercar]

I live in northern Colorado at about 5000 ft. My fiance has an 883c that has been popping some. I had the dealership put on the hi-flow kit and the Screamin-Eagle II slip-ons and rejet. It still pops when it is cold, maybe worse than before. The mechanic said that it should go away when it gets to about 500miles (it only has about 200 miles on it). He said if it didn't get better after 500 miles to bring it back it.

I have a Honda Magna that was lean from the factory. I ended up doing the same jetting and needle adjustments suggested by those at lower altitudes and it runs really well now. Before making the adjustments, I had to get above about 6500-7000 ft for the surging to go away.

-Dave

[john_xl1200c]

Well, got it done. The slow jet was changed to 45 and the main left alone. The dealer says the never change the main. I read the harley-tax and from it:

" And actually, you folks who live in Denver or other mile-high places don't need to richen the idle and slow jets... the altitude does that for you... but you do need to rebalance the altitude-compensating main circuit for the air
cleaner and exhausts by making the main jet changes."

The rejetting wasn't per the article - in fact the opposite for which jets to change- but, the bike is more responsive and even sounds better.