what carb?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,193
Likes: 494
From: Richmond, VA
I like S&S. They are good simple carbs. A Super E would work great, but how much better that a CV, probablly not all that much better. I myself wouldn't swap out a CV for any aftermarket carb unless the CV was worn out and needed work. But if your hearts set on a swap, I like S&S.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,739
Likes: 10
From: Suffolk, England
The only advantage over your CV with an S&S is the simplicty. You will gain nothing in performance and lose out on self-regulation for altitude and temperature i.e. IMHO its a waste of money.
The only carb that you will feel a difference with is a Mikuni. Even then it won't be top end, it will be throttle response; the power will come on quicker because you lose the vacuum slide lag of the CV.
There are downsides to a Mikuni though. Like the S&S, the AFR will change significantly from mountain to coast and from summer to winter. Its also more fussy about tuning; with the CV there's a small range of jets that work OK for the common range of A/C & pipes but the Mikuni can have a big change in jetting just for a pipe swap. For that reason I think its best to dyno tune a Mikuni.
The only carb that you will feel a difference with is a Mikuni. Even then it won't be top end, it will be throttle response; the power will come on quicker because you lose the vacuum slide lag of the CV.
There are downsides to a Mikuni though. Like the S&S, the AFR will change significantly from mountain to coast and from summer to winter. Its also more fussy about tuning; with the CV there's a small range of jets that work OK for the common range of A/C & pipes but the Mikuni can have a big change in jetting just for a pipe swap. For that reason I think its best to dyno tune a Mikuni.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 3
From: Vancouver, BC
I've always been a big fan of the stock CV..... with a little work they perform great and are uber reliable.......
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,352
Likes: 4
From: Augusta, GA
These guys are nailing it.....nothing will out perform the stock CV carb with a tuner kit when needed. Having worked on all three though, I would opt for the S&S if a change had to come.
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Joe Kucinski
Tourer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 316
Likes: 2
I agree, stock CV 40 tuned properly is an awesome carb.
If you're going to upgrade Mikuni is the way to to. I have an 88 inch stroker
in my 95 fat boy and I'm running the stock carb.
I don't know what the other guy is talking about, Mikunis are easy to tune.
Maybe it's just me from all the MX bikes I've done, but they're a snap.
S&S is good for ***** out WFO drag racing and you're also stuck to using
their A/c set up.
If you're going to upgrade Mikuni is the way to to. I have an 88 inch stroker
in my 95 fat boy and I'm running the stock carb.
I don't know what the other guy is talking about, Mikunis are easy to tune.
Maybe it's just me from all the MX bikes I've done, but they're a snap.
S&S is good for ***** out WFO drag racing and you're also stuck to using
their A/c set up.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,870
Likes: 499
From: Alberta
I used a 40CV on my 88hp Sporty, a 44CV on my 100hp Sporty and currently a 51CV on my 111hp 103 FXDXT. I think the main reason most slam the CV is simply because they can't sell 'em; only HD has them off the shelf (other than the re-worked Woods units, but what does Bobby know about carbs.....)
I heard one grey beard refer to the S&S as one step up from a gas soaked rag.....they have there place, but not on my bike for all 'round driving. My theory is you can over carburate with a CV and get away with it because it's a CV...mine have all worked well with nothing other than factory jets to suit the build.
I heard one grey beard refer to the S&S as one step up from a gas soaked rag.....they have there place, but not on my bike for all 'round driving. My theory is you can over carburate with a CV and get away with it because it's a CV...mine have all worked well with nothing other than factory jets to suit the build.