I have just replaced the cams in my 1999 FXD 88TC and discovered the carb was "butchered" by the previous owner.

After lots of great info in a previous thread, I was ready to simply buy a brand new OEM Keihin CV40 and have it tuned by a local engine builder.

My tuner has just told me he has heard great things about the Woods Performance Carbs, but he has not actually installed one. He asked me if I was willing to be his "Guinea Pig". I told him I would do some research and get back to him. I am planning to do the exhaust at the same time.

Anyone here have any actual experience with the Woods Carbs? What are your thoughts?

Thank you in advance. So far, you guys have been great.

 

There are plenty of parts available to fix the butchered carb. There are also new cv 40's for less than $200 and used for even less on Ebay. A lot of people favor the Mikuni 42-18 easy kit. I believe the Woods would be too much for a cammed 88".

 

Thank you for the reply.


I just got off the phone with Bob at Woods. He has suggested that I send him my OEM carb and he will "Blueprint" it at a cost of $275.00 to $400.00. He needs 10 working days and he will not start until late this month. This option would have my bike down for 3 to 4 weeks.


I am sure Woods is good, but is he that much better than my local engine builders who would do the work much quicker and similar $ and put the bike on the Dyno as part of the set-up and tune?


You are right about the cost of the OEM carb. I found a place back East called www.wincycles.com that would sell me a brand new CV40 for $180.45 with free shipping (I think).


After getting some good replies on a previous thread, I have talked to a few tuners in the Los Angeles area. Most agree that a new carb is cheap enough that it would be worth the effort to start over. This includes the shop that has actually worked on my original carb.


Thanks again for sharing your knowledge. I am learning a lot.

 

Hi,
I am in the Los Angeles area, who is working on your bike?
Have you spoken to tuners who have worked on carb'ed Harley's?
No need to send out your original carb for rebuilding and modifications with such inexpensive carbs out there you can be up and running for less money.

 

The shop that did the original work was Horn Cycle in Pomona. Yes, they have a lot of experience working on Carbed H-D.


I have also spoken to Barry at Kiwi Pro Cycle in Riverside. He is probably the one I will have set-up the new carb, unless I really hear a lot of good things about Woods. I trust him completely.


Both shops charge about the same to install, set-up, and Dyno Tune the new carb.


I live in Glendora. Do you have any shops you can recommend? I am willing to travel a bit, if the shop is worth it.

 

We have great results with simply re-jetting a CV as needed.
Other than that, we use a Stage 7 Dynojet Thunderslide Kit.
Scott

 

Thank you, Scott

Once again, I think your advice is spot on.

 

I am not familiar with Woods carbs and I am not sold on the Mikuni bandwagon as far as them being better than a comparable CV. But, if you are thinking performance, I would think that a CV-44 should work very well with your new cammed 88 configuration as well as provide you with increased flexibility for future top-end engine mods if you so desire, and the price of a CV 44 and SE intake will not break the bank, either.