NEED SOME ADVICE 07 ULTRA

[MDHarley1]

I purchased a 07 ultra and I'm not happy with all the heat issues, had the dealer do the factory recommended (recall letter) download to help the issue but it hasn't solved the problem. It also now seems much more sluggish starting off from a stop and requires slowly letting the clutch out (sort of slipping it or ridding the clutch) with some hesitation the feel like the bikes going to stall.

I've read that making some changes to the air cleaner, slip-on's and stag 1 download should help all these issue, can't say I really understand the download stuff (stag 1 versus/ sert) but feel I need to do something. I also have a wife that is concerned about the new mufflers not being to loud as it gives her a head ache and she would like not to need ear plugs, at the same time I'd like a little better sound then the stock mufflers.

Any suggestions on the heat issue, sluggish taking off, sert/stag 1 and slip-ons would be greatly appreciated.

[choochoo]

Well this is very basic info here, but...
Epa mandated new emissions controls in all 07 models.
There many ways to meet these new restrictions:
1. Is liquid cooling of an engine to bring internal and combustion heat down allowing more advanced timing and leaner A/F ratios
But HD in it's wisdom (?) decided not to go that route.
2. another is to go to a larger displacement engine such as the new TC96 vs TC88. A larger displacement engine will be allowed more
emissions to an extent.
Hd also did this to keep pace with the gold wing but are still approx 100ci behind
3. Adjust the timing and a leaner A/F ratio this is the basic cause of the excess heat. Even the 06's are hotter than previous years.

The EPA did apparently allow some wiggle room in the new guidelines.
Thus are born the HD and aftermarket fuel / air management electronic controllers and accessories.

By adding more free flowing exhaust you can move the combustion gases out of the engine faster which in turn helps reduce the heat.
But this in turn also means you can bring more air in faster which tends to lean the mixture somewhat.
So now you add in a larger A/C and the mufflers. More air in and out faster helps the engine run more efficiently,
But this changes the A/F sometimes enough so that the factory fuel / air "maps" built into the ECM are not capable of keeping
the A/F ratio where it needs to be thus leading to a melt down of the engine.
So now we add in a A/F management device.
first is the Stage 1 download. Good for basically stock bikes in slightly altering the built in maps helping engine run more efficient and cooler.
This is the minimum that should be done with an A/C and or new mufflers. But it is a one time thing with no further tuning capabilities.
About $130.
Better yet is the HD Screaming Eagle Race Tuner (SERT), it has almost unlimited tuning capabilities for a stock engine upto highly modified.
This is what I would recommend personally.
Approx $450
Combination of better A/C and mufflers and the SERT combined with a Technician who knows how to dyno tune and you will get better performance and somewhat cooler running.
Hope this helps.

[Mike]

I cannot verify Choochoo's statements about the EPA's other than much of what your are experiancing is a function of tighter emmisions requirements. Most Stage downloads are anticapated to be used with 50 state legal combination (at least for 07's) and therfore emmisions compliant. The stage downloads do not allow modification and recal the ECM to the values programmed into the new calibration requiring a specific calibration for each entended combination of accessories.

Having said all that, many owners have opted for Screaming Eagle Race Tuner as this does allow modification of the ECM calibrations to suit owners specific combinations, riding style or to address individual issues even though stage cals may be available for their combo (in your case the heat and hesitation). This also allows for future changes and aftermarket accessories.
mike