Guy Dalton sent me these pictures of the pistons from my stock 2010 Ultra. The bike had just under 500 miles on it when he took it apart to install a H-Q 107 ST kit. There is considerable carbon build up on these very low mileage pistons.

One other person has stated that his pistons looked exactly the same as mine with just under 1000 miles on them. He is also took his 2010 apart to do a HQ build. I got this information from the Head-Quarters site.

Others are reporting poor gas mileage from their stock 2010’s, under 40 mpg.
I did not actually check the gas mileage but know for sure that it was not good. It should have seemed better, going from a 5 gallon tank to a 6. I did not pay much attention to this at the time as I was breaking the bike in.

The things that I did notice. I rode my 07 ultra away from the same dealership. The valves pinged and it backfired before I had gone 3 miles. It ran noticeably hot! I almost immediately added a package from FuelMotto.

I rode the 2010 from the same dealer. The outside air temperature was cooler. The new bike ran good, right from the beginning. I did notice more heat from the head pipes but the heat from the motor was the same as the 07.

I’m thinking that HD was able to rich-en the fuel mixture on the 2010’s after adding the CAT and still meet the EPA requirements. The pictures of these pistons tell a story.
Those who own stock 2010’s could check their fuel mileage. This may be a sure way to tell.

Those that owned 07’s may remember the ecm upgrade that slightly richened the fuel mixture. This came about after many complained about the valves pinging and other heat issues. HD may have to go the other way with the 2010’s

I posted some of this on another cat related thread and got mixed responses.

 

Wow

My 07 ran good from the beginning and got good mpg as long as I stayed out of 6th gear. I do use sea foam to clean out the system just before I need to change the oil. Not sure if it rally helps or not.

Hope they get it going with your satisfaction .

dd

 

Does adding a fuel additive clean up the tops of the pistons?

 

Not a pretty sight!!

 

I'm not sure what your point is. Do you feel that your bike was too rich? I don't know if 500 miles is enough time to tell.

Don't you have to keep a new engime under 3000 rpm? and vary the throttle?

I don't get it.

 

I posted the pictures so that others that own 2010's could take a look and pay attention to their mpg. It's no longer a problem for me. I've shelled out the $ for uprades and my bike is in good hands. The final tune will done by Doc at HDMD Tuning Center. I'll be posting the results the second week of March.

 

Thats totally normal.

Carbonisation is rapid and unavoidable when running pump gas.

Mine had 2000 miles when pulled down to do the 124 and looked worse.

 

Found the pic.

2000mi.

 

I admit, I have never torn down a V twin..I have however worked many car motors. I dont know what you expect to see inside a internal combustion engine but this is what used pistons look like.

 

I visited Guy a few weeks ago and saw your bike on his lift. With just 500 breakin miles on your bike, those pistons look typical to me. I am assuming you were not riding much above 4k rpm and then probably not for long, so they look about right. Just another reminder to all of us not to dog our motors after breakin.

"The final tune will done by Doc at HDMD Tuning Center".........Can you tell me where this tuning center is located? I might want to visit them. Thanks