2006 VRSCR Break-in Concerns

[MtnStreetRod]

Mike,
I just purchased a new 2006 Street Rod from Mark about to weeks ago! This is a great bike. Everyone at Latus has treated my really well. I just have a few questions about the first part of my break-in. I've noticed some concerning things.
First, I have a significant clunk and rattle coming from the triple tree on my bike. It has definitely grown in severity since I first rode the bike. It now feels like something is rattling in the stem. I have read a little bit on V-Rod Forums that this is a common problem. They sey that tightening needs to be done on the column nut when this occurs and that this is a constant problem. What experiences have you had with this?
Also, I'm having, what I would call, a very lean condition occuring when the bike is still warming up. There is a significant stutter and engine lapse for about the first 10 to 15 minutes of riding. But, beyond this there is some very small lapses in the 3,000 to 3,500 range. I have also heard on the V-Rod Forums that this is easily solved by a Race Tuner. Are there other solutions? It seems strange that the bike would have this condition right from the factory.
Thanks in advance for your help. This is a very cool way to have questions answered.

Aaron Buckalew
406-570-5878
2006 VRSCR

[Mike]

Thanks for the compliment! The clunk sound like loose steering head bearing adjust and is common for bikes that may not have gone through their first service (this is checked as part of that service). It is not uncommon for things to settle in within the first 1k miles. The stutter is also common while the bike is cold and H-D has a revised calibration that address's this problem. It may be a good idea to check the cal. I.D. and make sure it's the latest. If anything on the bike has been changed that affects the amount of air the engine process's (I.E. exhaust or air cleaner) and the bike is running on the stock calibration this will also cause similar run problems. In either case, Race Tuner allows for corrections and improvements in drivability. My 04 B model sometimes stumbles when cold but also is fine when warm (not yet race tuned), it's the price we pay to meet emissions.
Thanks, Mike

[MtnStreetRod]

Mike, Thanks for the response. I have about 500miles on the bike so I have a little bit of riding left before I come in for the 1000 mile service. Will this front end clunk be ok for another 500 or should I bring it in early? Also, I'm not sure what you mean by cal. I.D. Could you clarify? Thanks Again!

[Mike]

To be strictly technical about the clunk, you should bring it in. If loose enough the steering head bearing races could be damaged (dimpled) if a hard enough bump is hit. The reality is that guys ride them like this for quite a few miles with no apparent damage (except springer softails). The "cal" is the Engine Control Module (ECM) program that controls the fuel injection and is in effect the "tune" of the bike. These have an I.D. number to identify which is programed into your ECM and is accessed via our Digital Technician computer. If the incorrect or an obsolete cal. is in your ECM you may experiance drivability issues. The first thing done when diagnosing such issues is to insure the correct and most recent version cal is programed for your application. The most important thing to recognize is that any changes in how, or the amount of, air the motor processes recalibration is required. The exhaust, typically, is the most common change and has the largest single affect on air movement through the motor. The recal. can be compared to changing jets in a carburetor to account for similar changes. The EFI system needs to told a change has been made and programmed with the adjustments to accomodate the change(s).
Thanks, Mike