Rev limiter?

[FES92xl]

How does the Rev limiter work and how do you know you've hit?
I rarely take the bike over 110-120 Kph,with the S&s super e, she gets up pretty high rpm and pretty quick.(fun&fast). i was always wondering how the rev limiter worked, and what is the average rpm it would kick in?
Tanks b'yes

[Fackler Rebel]

I"m not sure about that, but Kev can answer that one. I think the stock ignition unit in my 2000 !200 hits it's limit around 5,200 rpm. Again, I could be off a little on that. You'll know it because the igition will cut out and you will stop making any power until you drop below it's limit, whatever that is. I don't usually take mine to the limit, but it's there to protect the engine.

Reb

[cybrdyke]

Dont know what it is on your bike, but it's probly very near the red line on your speedo. When you hit the limiter YOU WILL KNOW IT.

[FES92xl]

running a Compu-Fire ignition on a 1200 conversion,any body got some tips on installing a discreet Tach?got rid of the speedo on the bars,so i couldn't stand to put a bigass guage Back up there

[Tin Man 2]

Is your bike a 1992 as in your Avatar posting, Not sure a 92 even had a limiter. I would not go looking for it in the upper RPM range without knowing if you have one!! HDs make their power down low anyway, high revs dont do a whole lot for a HD due to limited breathing, these are torque engines!!

[FES92xl]

trust me-i'm not lookin to ride the piss out of the old 74 incher,i ride pretty conservetly for the most part,i've had it for 7 years,and not looking to blow the engine now! i just want know fer curiousty sake how it works
Thanks

[dondad]

Originally Posted by FES92xl

trust me-i'm not lookin to ride the piss out of the old 74 incher,i ride pretty conservetly for the most part,i've had it for 7 years,and not looking to blow the engine now! i just want know fer curiousty sake how it works
Thanks

When your engine RPM hits the limit, the ignition shuts off until it comes back. If you want to know what it feels like, start off at wide open throttle and turn off the run switch.

[XLinAL]

Stock is around 6k +/- depending on model.

You have an aftermarket ignition. I'm not familiar with Compu-fire, so I can't speak to what you might have your limit at.

I have a TwinTech adjustable ignition in my "01 1200 conversion and have it set at 6800. I ride fairly agressively and hit the limiter occasionally.

It should be pretty obvious if you hit the rev limiter. It'll run funny and you will feel a definite loss of power until you back off the throttle.

As mentioned before, these are low revving bikes and, unless set up for it, don't make much power above 6500 rpm. If you don't ride too aggressively, you might not have ever hit the limiter.

If you're looking for a discreet tach, check out
http://www.speedwayinstruments.com/

I don't own one and have no affiliation w/ the company, but I am looking at getting one for myself.

Hope this helps ya.

[racerwill]

it works by intermitently causing an ignition misfire and not letting it rev past a set point....usually 5800-6200 rpm if it's stock and as high as you dare with a hardcore bottom end.......it's not a good idea to bounce it off the rev limiter cuz not only is it tough on the motor (but better than over-reving it) but if you're racing someone and hit the rev limiter, he's gonna pass you

Ww

[Oldwrench]

According to the 1992 Owner's Manual, P. 111;

"The XLH ignition module has an ignition retard feature
which will automatically begin to retard the spark
advance to 0 deg. if the engine exceeds 6000 rpm."

It doesn't make any distinction between the XLH 1200 and the XLH 883 rev limits, but there are 883 ignition modules and 1200 ignition modules in 1992, having different advance curves. I couldn't find any mention of the rev limiter at all in the Igntion section (Section 7) of the 1991-92 XLH Factory Manual.