1994 Fatboy. I've been reading that the Evo's (and other models) are set to run lean from the factory to appease the EPA, and that a proper carb adjustment can really wake it up.

Is this true or just urban legend? If I see that the "protector" screw is still intact on my carb, meaning that it's never been touched, should I look into making an adjustment or is this just snake oil?

 

Factory has been running them lean since the early 80's, not a myth.

 

It's true but if you like the way your bike runs don't fix it!!!!

 

It's true, re-jet it and open up the exhaust. You'll get 100 more HP (not really) but you'll notice the difference.

 

I picked up my new ‘97 in November of ‘96. The dealership was about 90 miles from home, temps in the upper 40s. It took the bike 15 minutes at idle to warm enough to run without the enricher!
My “brand new Roadking woohoo”! Feeling quickly went to “I paid $13,600, for this piece of ****”... “oh well I can sell it at a Proffit”

At 500 miles I changed the airbox, rejetted the carb and added slip on mufflers... for the last 20 years my thought has been “That’s the best $13,600 I’ve ever spent”

It’s difficult to jog to the mailbox if you’re breathing through a snorkel!

 

If the temperature is about 60 degrees or below, it takes several minutes for it to fully warm up. The throttle response could also be better; when I twist it, it has a slight hesitation before the rev. I would love for it to be more responsive. I have to ride it a few miles before it gets fully warmed up and will idle with no threat of stalling out.

About a week ago I installed a new K&N High Performance air filter. If there is any difference, it's negligible.

I know that carbs can be a bit complex, but I can just "sense" that the bike could run better. I have no real complaints, but that's just a feeling I have.

 

Adjusting the screw won't buy you much...but a carb re-jet and a real cam will really wake the motor up...the factory head-pipe with crossover, and descent mufflers will actually do better than any drag pipes...

 

If that plug is still in the carb it means that the carb has never been properly cleaned.

When you remove that plug and remove the jet underneath, watch for small parts, there is an o ring, a spring and a tiny washer...

Good source for tech information and parts for Kehin carburetors:

https://cv-performance.com/

 

^^^^this^^^^

 

after 30 years I took the stock carb off of my 85 and put an S&S carb on it. the difference the S&S made was amazing to me. it starts easier, idles better and the power increase is nice. it is thirstier tho.