Question for the carb gurus
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,557
Likes: 235
From: Texas
Success...finally!
I pulled the carb off today and started back through it again. Foxter hit it on the head...
It was an aftermarket needle and needle jet holder. I replaced the needle but not the holder causing a mismatch. Went to the local dealer and got the stock needle jet holder for the needle I used. I kept the 48 pilot jet and replaced the 180 main with the 185. I also put two washers on the needle to shim it up.
You nailed it again, Foxter...when I originally checked the float, it was adjusted at the high number, .453 which is lean...readjusted the float for .415 for a richer condition.
Put it all back together and fired it up...did a couple of minor tweaks on the mixture (now it is at 2 turns) and adjusted idle and now it purrs like a kitten...did a spin around the block and a short run down the freeway and this thing has never ran better since I got it. Nice burble with no blowback or decel popping and strong pull.
It seems that at some time in the past, a previous owner went Stage 1 with some 2-into-1 pipes and intake mods and put some kind of aftermarket carb tuning kit in it and never got it tuned right...taking all that **** out of the carb except the 48 pilot jet and retuning it with Harley parts was all it needed...
I am going for a long ride tomorrow and then pull the plugs and see how it is running.
If it was a non-stock needle (usually spotted by being the clip type) then it might be a dynojet kit that was used.
If so, then they have their own emulsion tube and main jet to match their needles. If you went back to a stock needle then its a mismatch.
The stock emulsion tube (AKA needle jet holder - the bit the main jet screws into) has a lot of holes all the way up. The dynojet one has just one ring of holes at the base.
If that's the case then try a stock emulsion tube and main jet (say a 180). I'd not recommend going bigger than a 47 on the pilot.
If so, then they have their own emulsion tube and main jet to match their needles. If you went back to a stock needle then its a mismatch.
The stock emulsion tube (AKA needle jet holder - the bit the main jet screws into) has a lot of holes all the way up. The dynojet one has just one ring of holes at the base.
If that's the case then try a stock emulsion tube and main jet (say a 180). I'd not recommend going bigger than a 47 on the pilot.
The other important thing to check from your description of the problem is the float seat and the float height.
Put it all back together and fired it up...did a couple of minor tweaks on the mixture (now it is at 2 turns) and adjusted idle and now it purrs like a kitten...did a spin around the block and a short run down the freeway and this thing has never ran better since I got it. Nice burble with no blowback or decel popping and strong pull.
It seems that at some time in the past, a previous owner went Stage 1 with some 2-into-1 pipes and intake mods and put some kind of aftermarket carb tuning kit in it and never got it tuned right...taking all that **** out of the carb except the 48 pilot jet and retuning it with Harley parts was all it needed...
I am going for a long ride tomorrow and then pull the plugs and see how it is running.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 552
Likes: 1
From: Long Island, NY
Looking forward to hearing how the long ride went.
I had to limp home today cause the bike wouldn't idle..
Pulled the plugs and they were pretty white... Hope I didn't burn a valve...
After pulling the carb - I noticed the retention ring was split and dry rotted..
I'm hoping that was it..
On line now looking for a place that can get me one before the 4th...
George
I had to limp home today cause the bike wouldn't idle..
Pulled the plugs and they were pretty white... Hope I didn't burn a valve...
After pulling the carb - I noticed the retention ring was split and dry rotted..
I'm hoping that was it..
On line now looking for a place that can get me one before the 4th...
George
Thread Starter
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,557
Likes: 235
From: Texas
The long ride went really well...sort of. The carburetor worked flawlessly with the new main jet and needle jet setup and the plugs looked good. Unfortunately, I had a fog light cover get loose and start shorting out causing the battery to not charge and I had to get a jump when I stopped for gas about 75 miles from home...
The manifold boot gasket you are showing will cause a vacuum leak and that will definitely cause it to idle and run rough.
The manifold boot gasket you are showing will cause a vacuum leak and that will definitely cause it to idle and run rough.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 552
Likes: 1
From: Long Island, NY
Glad to hear it was an easy fix...
The new seal did the trick - runs better than before - I always felt my idle would creep up when the bike got hot... Now with the new seal idle it's back to slow and steady. I bought the other 2 rings that go into the manifold. I'll get to them the next rainy day. I like your idea about having a spare - I'll grab another next trip to the dealer.
Going to put a 50+ miles or so on it - then pull the plugs and hope to see good things.
George
The new seal did the trick - runs better than before - I always felt my idle would creep up when the bike got hot... Now with the new seal idle it's back to slow and steady. I bought the other 2 rings that go into the manifold. I'll get to them the next rainy day. I like your idea about having a spare - I'll grab another next trip to the dealer.
Going to put a 50+ miles or so on it - then pull the plugs and hope to see good things.
George
Last edited by GeorgeJ; Jun 30, 2014 at 02:45 PM.
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