1200 sportster pinking

[240]

Has any one out there experienced their 1200 sporty pinking?
I have an 04 which will pink under fast throttle pull with a pillion on.
Running 95 octane (even tried rip off bp 98 octane but still the same)
Any ideas ?

[sAsLEX]

Import Leaded Fuel from the 1960's?

[imdying]

Might wanna list your mods (filter, pipes, whatever) mate, a factory one shouldn't do that of course, but it's easy to upset the ballance when adding bolt on parts. Other useful stuff; is it NZ new? Fuel injected? Has it always done it? Started recently?

[doc]

Mine had that problem when I bored her out but that was a 2000 pre rubbamount the popular trend (Internet forums) was to change the ignition module, after much discussion with kiwi ingenuity, simply retarding the ignition plate 2mm solved it . Is your ignition that simple or is it all electronic FI system that is becoming a dealers dream ie any alterations you have to make you have to bring it in so we can dowload a patch for the computer.

[paturoa]

Normally it is the timing being too far advanced.

Does it do it more at low-ish revs and loading the engine, like going up a hill? If so it is more likely to just be the timing.

Check or get the timing checked / retarded as first step.

[nadroj]

Check the vacuum advance hose hasn't split or fallen off.




(PT)

[scumdog]

Never ever heard mine ping under ANY load.

First off - you're not winding on the throttle at too low revs?

Second, it sounds like you need your timing retarded a degree or so.

But the pinking must be bloody loud if you can hear it over all the other noises Sportys make!!!!

[240]

Thanks guys for your feedback.
Just got the bike she is a carb model will pink only 2 up at normally snapping to wide open throttle when passing etc.
Has a screaming eagle air filter rest is standard.
Cheers

[scumdog]

Thanks guys for your feedback.
Just got the bike she is a carb model will pink only 2 up at normally snapping to wide open throttle when passing etc.
Has a screaming eagle air filter rest is standard.
Cheers

Sounds like maybe a lean mixture, possibly combined with too much ignition advance.

But you could live with it the way it is as long as you don't try to wing the throttle while loaded with a lardy pillion.

[98tls]

Just been talking to a mate with a sporty and he has the same problem........hes a fuel tanker driver and well up on the fuel thing.......he just spent 1/2 an hour explaining the ins and outs of petrol which to me was just a blur........basically he reckons its an octane thing with the sporty.......one way i thought of nailing it sdown would be to put a bit of octane booster shit in it the next time you fill up........if it stops it bingo......if not i would look hard at the eagle air filter and adjust mixture to suit.

[Shadows]

Thanks guys for your feedback.
Just got the bike she is a carb model will pink only 2 up at normally snapping to wide open throttle when passing etc.
Has a screaming eagle air filter rest is standard.
Cheers

Sounds like maybe a lean mixture, possibly combined with too much ignition advance.

But you could live with it the way it is as long as you don't try to wing the throttle while loaded with a lardy pillion.

I agree, it sounds like it might be leaning out. If you have the high flow air cleaner then you should also have the carb re-jetted and the exhaust de-restricted. All three things share a symbiotic relationship so they all need to be modified together to keep the bike running properly.

Nice to see another local Sporty pilot on the site, by the way.

[Paul in NZ]

Has any one out there experienced their 1200 sporty pinking?

It's turning Gay!

Seriously - ANY big twin will 'pink' if you give it a big gob full of gas at low rpm - particularly if it has a pumper carb. You need to either feed in the throttle a little easier OR change down into a lower gear to get the revs up.

If thats unacceptable then knock the ignition back a couple of degrees (remember the factory setting is a general guide - it varies from bike to bike)

Cheers

[240]

Thanks for all the info.
Took bike to dealer they downloaded the latest ecm program (didn't know it even had one!) and all good!

[doc]

Thanks for all the info.
Took bike to dealer they downloaded the latest ecm program (didn't know it even had one!) and all good!

Bid sad when we have to take it to a dealer to make an alteration, but that's progress I suppose. Oh well back to the playstation I'm winning Brock is 2 sec's behind until I paused him. To reply to this thread.

[doc]

It's turning Gay!

Seriously - ANY big twin will 'pink' if you give it a big gob full of gas at low rpm - particularly if it has a pumper carb. throttle a little easier OR change down into a lower gear to get the revs up.

I disagree there is that much information out there about big V-Twins (ie Harleys) that these motors probably have the most support and backup available because of the interest and dedication of wanabes and real enthusistic followers. You get the right advice and your do it right first time. That is the problem with Harley's who do you listen to.