Writing to Harley Davidson ECUs


Harley Davidson ECUs are technically a little different to those from other manufacturers and so there are some key points to be aware in order to avoid potential problems.  Most models of ECU from other manufacturers can be written to using a stock bin file with the same part number as the ECU and the bike will run fine.  Harley Davidson ECUs require that the bin file first be read from the ECU using the Woolich Racing Tuned (WRT) software and that this file is then subsequently used as the starting point for any modification and is subsequently written back to the ECU.

Writing a stock bin file to a Harley Davidson directly from the Woolich Racing Tuned (WRT) software without first reading your own ECU can cause permanent damage!

You can only write to a Harley Davidson ECU with a Bin File that has been read out from the same bike. 
Please use a copy of the backup file as your starting Bin File as described below.

Harley Davidson use the same electronics platform and ECU across many models. Woolich Racing categorizes the Harley Davidson models into groups (e.g. Softail, Sportster etc.) as often the differences between individual models within a group is cosmetic or frame related.  The ECU part numbers for Harley Davidson are then shared across several models so are not always unique like they are for other manufacturers.

In order to write to your Harley Davidson ECU, please follow these steps:

  1. Before writing to the ECU, read out the bin file from your ECU and save the file to a known location on your computer. 
    1. Do not modify this file!
    2. Once the bin file has been read click 'File' > 'Save', and save the file as your MASTER BACKUP file.  
    3. Use this file as starting point that you can always revert to should you want to return your ECU to stock. 
    4. It is a good idea to use the Motorcycle VIN as the filename to easily identify it in the future.
  2. Create a backup copy of the bin file that you read out in Step 1 above
    1. Save this file as your TUNING file.
    2. Use this bin file for all changes made during tuning
    3. You must only use this saved TUNING file for tuning/setting changes, and writing back to the ECU.
    4. If you make significant changes then it is a good idea to save versions of the bin file at stages which you can easily revert to if you have problems later
  3. When you have finished making changes to the tuning and would like to write them to the ECU, be sure to load the tuned bin file created in Step 2 above
    1. Write to the ECU normally.
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