[Lukewm]

1. I need help. I have an 2006 Victory Vegas 8-ball with a power commander, K&N air filter, and hacker 2 in 1 pipes...among other upgrades. I don't know much about engines or computers....I just know that I like to get on my bike and RIDE. I have had some engine reving going into third gear when i'm accelrating quickly. It's very similar to going into neutral. At first I thought I was hitting neutral, but after it happened a few times I realized it wasn't me.
Question #1. Is this my clutch and is there some kind of maintenance or repair I need to do on it?
2. I have a PC and Hacker 2 in 1 wrapped pipes. When I start my bikein the morning I have to let in run for a few minutes before I get on it or it will die when I accelerate. Especially when it's cold outside. I have had my bike on a Dyno and they made a custom map for it, however I still get some backfiring and before I had it hooked up I had to clean the spark plugs quite a bit. I put Lucas fuel injection cleaner in it and it always runs better after that, but I don't want to be screwing something up.
Question #2. Is this normal, or is there something wrong?

 

[dsjr70]

As for question 2 you will get some backfiring and you really need to let the bike warm up before taking off.
Question 1 sounds like your clutch is slipping but it is strange that it doesnt do it in 1st or 2nd?

 

[mjw930]

The clutch slipping a bit in 3rd but not at lower gears would indicate the clutch is right on the brink. The biggest difference in the 2nd to 3rd gear shift is the torque multiplier. The taller gears require more torque to achieve the same acceleration rate you get in the lower gears.

I guess the basic questions are:

Are you the original owner?
How many miles on the bike / clutch?
and I know I'm going to regret this but what oil do you use?

 

[dsjr70]

and I know I'm going to regret this but what oil do you use?

I was thinking it but I didnt want to say that outloud

 

[Lukewm]

I take it to the Victory dealership to get the oil changed...so whatever they use is what's in it.
I am the second owner of the bike. I bought it with about 3,000miles on it and It now has over 4,500 on it. It's not my first bike and I'm not exceptionally hard on it. I do get on it occaisionally, but nothing crazy. I'm currently in Afghanistan and will be taking it to the Victory dealership as soon as I get home to have it checked, but I'd like to know what to tell them. I took it to them immediately after purchasing it and they said everything looks good and that it would backfire a little with the 2 to 1 pipes, but I didn't have the clutch problems until right before I left. It's been sitting almost a year and I'm sure there will be some maintenance I need to perform when I get back.

 

[dsjr70]

Before you do anything I would change your oil to a semi synthetic since your about due anyway and see if you still have the clutch problem. Sometimes the simpliest solution is the best place to start.

 

[Lukewm]

The Victory dealerships use semi synthetic, don't they?

 

[dsjr70]

They should but you never really know what is going on behind the scenes to save a few bucks. It may not be your problem but if the bike is sitting for that long it needs to be changed anyway.