I recently picked up a 1996 Road King that had a S&S carb already installed. I also recently installed brand new cables cuz the old ones were frozen. I am wondering what the benefit is as opposed to a stock cv carb? also , i have noticed on my bike with the ss the throttle pull is significantly harder compared to my fathers 1998 with a cv carb that has a much softer pull. is there a way to make the pull easier?

 

I've run four different carbs on my bike over the years, currently an S&S (although I bought that secured on an S&S engine!) and don't have any problem with operating it. Just make sure the cables have a clean run and are lubricated, ditto the twistgrip itself. As for any benefits, the S&S is a good carb and it won't cost you to keep it! I still get good performance and mileage with mine, 10k miles later.

 

The S&S carbs are good carbs but don't underestimate the capability of the CV carb. The difference in the twist grip pull is due to the fact that the S&S slide is cable operated but the CV slide is vacuum operated. I like the CV carb and have seen multiple comparisons of the CV vs Mikuni that show there is very little, in fact insignificant, differences in performance under operating conditions.

 

check the bends in your new cables , make sure there are no sharp bends.
the closer you get to a straight cable the easier it is to pull.
check the throttle grip for binds, rubbing on the end of the handlebar
also check the throttle friction brake ( see if it is dragging)


the spring rate on the CV vs SS is about the same .
btw they both open a throttle plate. no slide in my SS.


the difference is the CV (constant velocity )
allows the operator to yank the throttle open, and the vacuum slide meters the fuel as to engine vacuum.


SS requires the operator to tune the accelerator pump ,and his wrist to smoothly accelerate.