I bought my 2001 FLHTC over a year ago and know very little about what was done to it prior to my ownership. The air cleaner is a K&N which, I'm pretty sure, is not stock. How can I find out by looking at the carburetor if the bike has had a stage 1 kit put on it? I didn't know enough to ask when I purchased the bike from the seller and have since lost the phone number.

 

A stage 1 is pipes and air cleaner. Are you asking if the carb has been jetted? If it's not running lean, it's been jetted.

 

Is there an enclosed backing plate on the air cleaner or does it just have the football cover and the back is open?

 

It did not have stock pipes and I have since changed those.

There is a backing plate and I have replaced the football.

 

By backing plate, I mean is it a black plastic case or is it open

 

K&N filter and aftermarket pipes equals a stage 1 in my book. It should also have a jetted carb, or if it's fuel injection, XIED's or a tuner. This would be done to keep the engine from running lean with the pipes a/c.

 

no plastic.

and btw, I was hoping that you would answer this question. You are an unbelievable source of information and part numbers!

 

Lwood,
You sure this thing is not fuel injected? Odd for an 01 to have a carb, not impossible, but different I guess.

Take a look under the seat and under each side cover. You might find a Power Commander or some other fuel management module hiding in one of those places. If you do, then that confirms a stage I.

Even if you don't, you still might be at Stage I with the high flow air cleaner and mufflers with a dealer provided stage I flash to the ECM.

Tip: Never misplace the phone number of the last owner.

 

It is carbed. And yes, I know, I'm a goob for not keeping it.

 

Um- some of the guys trying to help you are not up on earlier models.

so, if the plastic backing plate is gone, and the pleats of the filter are exposed to the air, and you have free-er flowing mufflers then you have a "stage 1"

good for 7 to 10 HP usually, depending on components chosen.

You can generally tell if your carb has been modded if the plug over the idle mixture adjust has been removed ( which requires, pulling the carb and drilling the plug out).

a bone stock carb will often "sneeze" ( backfire through the air cleaner) as the motors revs past about 1800 rpm when leaving a light.
If that isn't happening, then your carb is probably tuned pretty well to compensate for the increased air flow.

MPH on a well- tuned carb will be about 42 or better at 65 MPH


Mike