I'm trying to find out what kind of carb my stock 89' fxstc has. Any ideas? I'm not near it to find out, but it's all stock.

 

It looks like 1984 - 1989 was the butterfly carb. I have a 1988 and I had that carb, it sucked. I have an S&S Super E and it's so much better, way, way better. I bought the S&S kit for a shade under $500.00 plus shipping and it has been the best money that I spent on this bike.

 

doing some more online snooping and it looks like 89 was the first year HD started using it's own CV carb. Maybe even a bendix brand cv carb. Don't know for sure.

 

doing some more online snooping and it looks like 89 was the first year HD started using it's own CV carb. Maybe even a bendix brand cv carb. Don't know for sure.

 

The Keihin CV carb first appeared on the 1988 Sportster. I can't remember whether it made it to the big twin in '89 or '90.


Unlike the Keihin butterfly carb that preceded it, the Keihin CV carb is generally considered to be an excellent carb, especially when set up properly. It's probably the best stock carb ever fitted to a Harley.

 

here is an eBay link that shows a picture of both the Keihin butterfly and CV carbs side-by-side. You'll be able to easily ID which you actually have.

Also, my 1987-1990 Big Twin Parts Catalog shows the Keihin butterfly thru 1989, and the CV appearing in 1990.

 

On the Big Twin:

1989 was the last year for the Keihin Butterfly carb.

1989 was the last year for the tapered mainshaft and clutch hub.

1989 Was the first year for the modern starter configuration.

The Keihin Butterfly carburetor is junk, when you are running one of these carbs it feels like the bike is pulling a trailer full of bricks...

 

Actually for Big Twins it was 1965

 

My new '89 had a K-CV carb, first yr was '89!
Loved that carb, good mileage and never once had a problem.

 

Either you are remembering incorrectly, or you didn`t buy that bike new.

Check a parts manual for any `89 Big Twin, you will see a Butterfly carb with the old compliance fittings...

I bought my `89 Softail new in `89, and it had a Keihin Butterfly carb, which is still in my basement (the bike is still in the garage).