Why does a Harley sound the way it does?
The reason for the sound has to do with the way the engine is designed. In a two-cylinder, horizontally opposed engine, the pistons are timed so that one fires on one revolution of the crankshaft and the other fires on the next revolution — so one of the two pistons fires on every revolution of the crankshaft.
Why do new Harleys sound different?
In a normal two-cylinder engine, the crankshaft has two separate pins for the piston’s connecting rods. Then there is a 405 degree gap until the first cylinder fires again. This asymmetrical arrangement is what gives Harley engines their distinctive, deep bass rumble.
Why are Harley-Davidson engines so weak?
They have a lot of low-end torque and a lot of inertia, so they can’t rev very high. Since horsepower is calculated by multiplying torque by RPMs, they have relatively low horsepower.
What makes the engine noise on a Harley Davidson?
Engine noise is produced by the compressed gases exiting the cylinders though the exhaust valves and then through the exhaust system where they are either muffled or amplified depending on your exhaust system and muffler setup.
What does the pop sound on a Harley Davidson mean?
What you are actually hearing is the sound of the compressed gases in the cylinder escaping when the exhaust valve opens. Each pop is the sound of the exhaust valve opening one time, and it happens on every second revolution of the crankshaft.
Can you change the sound of a Harley Davidson exhaust?
This is a post-purchase modification usually made by the owner of the bike. Learn how to remove some of the baffles in your Harley Davidson exhaust and give your bike the big awesome sound it deserves.
What makes a Harley Davidson make a growling sound?
This is known as a dual fire ignition system, causing both spark plugs to fire regardless of which cylinder was on its compression stroke, with the other spark plug firing on its cylinder’s exhaust stroke, effectively “wasting a spark”. The exhaust note is basically a throaty growling sound with some popping.
Engine noise is produced by the compressed gases exiting the cylinders though the exhaust valves and then through the exhaust system where they are either muffled or amplified depending on your exhaust system and muffler setup.
This is known as a dual fire ignition system, causing both spark plugs to fire regardless of which cylinder was on its compression stroke, with the other spark plug firing on its cylinder’s exhaust stroke, effectively “wasting a spark”. The exhaust note is basically a throaty growling sound with some popping.
What you are actually hearing is the sound of the compressed gases in the cylinder escaping when the exhaust valve opens. Each pop is the sound of the exhaust valve opening one time, and it happens on every second revolution of the crankshaft.
How to improve the sound of stock Harley Davidson pipes?
Uncover your motorcycle and reinstall the exhaust system on the bike. Make sure every bolt is secure and tight, especially the cylinder head bolts, which create a necessary exhaust seal for the engine. Fire up your bike and have a listen to the new, louder, deeper exhaust tone.