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[Graybeard]

Hi everyone,

Got a problem I hope you can help me with…

First off, thanks for the suggestions so far. I guess I got some of you confused about what I’ve already tried, so here goes;

I bought a used 2006 VTX 1800R with a Motor Trike brand trike kit installed. Also has aftermarket pipes, one for each cylinder with no crossover. Don’t know the brand, but they are the same size from the cylinder to the end. You can see they have a baffle in the exhaust end. While idling, putting your hand over the end of the exhaust pipe, they both seem to be equal.

If any of you have gone from a motorcycle to a trike, you’ll know what I mean by it taking a while to get used to it.  I’ve never had an 1800, or a trike, so I did a lot of “is this normal” kind of thinking
When I actually started getting on the freeway going fast is when I really noticed the problem.

It seems to run fine in the first three gears, but feels like it’s lugging down unless you’re up above 3000 RPM in fourth or fifth, and it hits harder than just pinging or knocking. It’s almost like one of the cylinders is not firing. I searched for and found posts about what RPM you should be in to shift from one gear to the other. I found several that said running 3000 RPM was normal.

I started looking for anyone who had this problem, but didn’t find anything. For the most part, all I found were posts about this motor being bulletproof, and getting 150,000 miles on them.
Anyway, I DO have a problem because it can’t be normal hitting as hard as it does.

I set about trying all the suggestions. I did the PAIR removal, the de-smog and the ground fix. I changed the spark plugs (don’t remember the brand but they were recommended by several people). Checked the valves (only had to adjust one, and that was very little). Ran several bottles of both Techron and Sea Foam through it (some at a very high concentration). I only use “top tier” gas such as Shell, Chevron and Exxon. I mostly run regular, but have run premium, and it SEEMS to run better (could be my imagination along with thinking that it runs better for the first half hour or so).

I thought maybe if the bike was running lean from the factory, then had the extra weight of the trike kit, plus my better half and me (neither of us are exactly skinny) it might be a fuel problem. I added the Power Commander, forget what map I used, just a generic one that added gas in the mid-high range. It seemed to help a little (or maybe it’s just wishful thinking).

It also makes a lot of rattling noise. Seems to come from the front cylinder. I’ve checked everything (pipes, covers, fan, radiator grill, etc.)I can find. It only rattles when you are just giving it a little gas to hold your speed. If you give it a little gas, or let off the gas it quits making the noise. It’s definitely not a “normal” noise. I don’t THINK it’s pre-ignition or knocking, too much of a rattling sound.

I’ll be checking the compression next, I know you have to do it in a strange way because of the compression release at low speed. I’m a fair mechanic with most any tool I need, and I can probably change out any part, but I’m not very good at diagnosing problems.

Sorry about writing a book here, but wanted to get all the symptoms and things I’ve already tried.
Any more suggestions or ideas are welcome, and thanks for the ones already posted,

Greybeard

[Luckys Lover]

Louis,

Exhaust systems usually have a crossover. It helps the engine perform better. My V&H pipes have a crossover in the horizontal run just before they sweep back up to the rear tire. It's hard to see but it's there. You said you weren't sure what pipes you have and you may not have a crossover but I would look harder at them.

My stepson's bike has a rattle and it's because a hose clamp is missing that holds the heat shield onto the exhaust pipe. It makes the same kind of sound you are describing. The heat shield has a "C" bracket on it that the hose clamp brings into solid contact with the exhaust pipe. Use something thin to run under the shield and make sure each connection has a clamp.

I wish I could help you with the big problem with your motor but I don't have a clue.

[Graybeard]

Nope, mine has two separate pipes, I'm sure because I took them off when I did the PAIR and desmog. One (front) is longer overall, which I thought was odd.

I did a lot of research about pipes a while back, and two into one was the best setup. The next was two pipes with a crossover. Something about it scavaging the ehaust gas, and last was straight pipes. I don't remember the exact things, but there are pulses that will be different for different pipes or different for the same pipe that is a different length, and some kind of pulse that gets to the end of the pipe then goes back toward the engine. Pretty interesting stuff.

Anyway, mine are seperate. I've been over all the stuff I can find, usually just jaming popsicle sticks in between things. Checked the pipes, the pipe shields, radiator grill, cover that holds the grill, headlight bucket, covers on the forks, etc. Every time I go someplace, I stick a few popsicle sticks in betwwe something.

Like I said, I'm out of ideas, so I appreciate any input.

[Luckys Lover]

OK, so that has me 

Sorry I couldn't help you.

[alejandro1800vtx]

Spend some mula and get your powercommander mapped to your bike
 
My 1800 was very unhappy whit very much same setup my pipes were rineharts with out crossover internet downloads maps wont do it
for you.Got my dyno at liberty rally for 80 buks 

[Graybeard]

Brings up another problem,

Anyone know where I can get a TRIKE dyno'ed?