Popping on deacceleration 2006 FLHTCI with Stage 1

[azone14]

Mike
I had a stage one kit (Slip on SE pipes and SE air cleaner kit) installed on my 06 Electra Glide Classice. I had a Race Tuner installed and the dealer ran the bike twice on the Dyno. Base map and Mod map. They printed and gave me the results.
My question, of which my dealer says is normal is: When I deaccelerate quickly I get popping inside the SE exhaust. I can deaccelrate at a modest pace and get very little popping. The bike runs great but the popping is annoying but acceptable if it is normal. I read your forum and have learned you really know your stuff and wanted your opinion on this. The popping is in the muffler not at the tail end like a backfire. It does not pop out the air cleaner ever.
My last and quick question is. I installed a Harley auto primary tensioner on my wife's 04 Heritage Classic and I get better shifting however it creates a whining noise. I adjusted it properly and the play is set correctly. I contribute this to constant tension on the chain. If I remove the tensioner it stops the whine. You opinion please.
Keep up the great work

[Mike]

Thank you for the kind words. One of the (many) things I do not know is how to completely cure "decel pop". It is normal and is not noticed as much with stock mufflers because they simply, well, muffel it! The less restrictive the mufflers, the worse the problem. One observation is that the injectors are turned completely off when deceling at 0% throttle from approx. 4-2k rpm. If the throttle is rolled back on, the injectors turn back on and this can cause a momentary pop. In some calibrations, the injectors continue to be turned on even when the throttle is rolled back to 0% and then decel pop often continues. This "injector off time" strategy varies from calibration to calibration in off time vs. rpm and if/when they turn back off after a part throttle event. The very purpose of this strategy is to limit decel pop (also adds fuel economy). Decel pop, fuel milage and pinging are the three most common complaints with EFI mapping. We can usually cure the last two to the owners satisfaction but the first can still plague us.

The whine associated with the auto-tensioner is common and normal. It may change pitch or intensity as the adjuster approaches it's next "step-up" point on the ratchet as the chain and pad wear. It may also be reduced as the pad mates itself to the chain. The chain sideplates will wear grooves into the pad at which point the chains' rollers will be in contact with the high points between the grooves providing a long lasting "rollerized" surface. This is normal and desirable. I've seen many tensioner assemblies replaced because of the grooves when this is actually when they work there best.
Thanks, Mike

[azone14]

Thank You Mike.
I am sure this will help many other fellow bikers out also. Keep up the great job
Safe riding to you

[xwizard44]

Mike, I have a 07 dwg, if I add just the SE exhaust will I have the decel pop? and then if I add the SE exhaust and stage 1 AC kit will I have decel pop?

thanks for your help

[Mike]

The 07's are better about the pop. The SE mufflers and dual exhaust on the Dyna's also do not tend to pop as much as touring models. If you do the correct calibration with the air cleaner install, then pop should not be and issue. The touring models tend to be more sensitive to decel pop because putting alow restriction muffler on the left side, with stock head pipes, essentially creates a big cold air leak in the exhaust. This cool air combines with unburned fuel and heat in the exhaust to cause the pop. Harley's stratigy is to reduce the amount of fuel available or left over in the system thus leaving nothing to burn. This is why the injectors are turned off on decel. Problem is, some fuel is required to help with throttle transitions when coming open off closed. Another stratigy is to add fuel, cooling the leftover to the point it will not combust. This is bad for emmisions and fuel economy.
Thanks, Mike

Just my experience: '04 FXST EFI w/ Stage 1 and Rinehart Chambermaid pipes (short ones). Everything was just find until the oxygen sensor bung (plug) came out, then I got decel pops. The problem in my case was air getting into the exhaust on decel. Replaced plug and all it well. So first, I'd look/feel (carefully) for an exhaust leak. That leak can give you the pop on closed throttle decels.

[Mike]

10-4 on that. Wide open mufflers on the left side when used with stock head pipes also contribute.
Mike