I have a 98 FXDWG (45K miles) with a CV carb (45jet & 185 idle jet, jet needle set at middle adjustment notch) that has a stage 1 K&N air filter and thunder header. Over the years it has ran well except for getting noticeably richer. Tore down the carb and discovered that the jet needle is worn, which should account for increase in fuel richness. Harley stopped making the jet needle for the carb. So I'm thinking of replacing carb with a 42 Mikuni. I want a worry-free carb and any advice from you Harley experts that have already made this transition would be appreciated.

 

If it's just needle jet availability that's the issue, PM me your address and I'll mail you the original needle jet from mine (had 10k on the bike when I rebuilt the carb).

I bought a complete rebuild kit from CV Performance. I don't have a lot of experience swapping carbs on these bikes, so I don't have an opinion on replacing (the S&S does seem highly regarded, though). Mine is running fine with the CVP parts in the original CV.

 

The CV carb is a pretty worry free carb. I would get the jet needle from Omaha and replace it and be done.

Mikuni, S&S, and CV (OEM) from 1990 on Big Twin on are the three most common carbs for these Evos. All good. Just a personal choice and $$ you want to spend. There are mods to the CV carb that will make it very nice. I've done this on my Evo CV carb. Good luck.

http://www.nightrider.com/biketech/hd_cv_mods.htm

 

Omaha, Does your stock jet needle have the adjustment notches at the top? I'm wondering if my jet needle may be an aftermarket because it had 4-5 notches for adjustment. I bought one from Harley for a 1200 sportster (Rep said it was same for EVO carbs) that is a solid needle without adjustment notches. I much prefer the inexpensive option of fixing what I got vice a new carb.

 

No notches on mine. Unless things changed year to year (mine is off of a 1990), I don't think the stockers had notches.

FWIW, you can buy the CV Performance needle here.

 

Probably a Dynojet kit.

Griz

 

One of the better mods I did to my bike was ditch the CV and go with an S&S E.
JMO

 

I am a huge fan of Mikuni carbs. They are not worry free though and tend to be on the leaky side (float needles) but I love the performance from them. If you want to change things up and be worry free put an S&S or a newer CV carb on it...

 

I wouldn't trade my CV for a box full of the others. Everyone has a preference, a correctly tuned CV is a great carb and will provide all the performance and economy you could ever need.

 

No notches on either the '94 or '02 I had, either. The EPA wouldn't have allowed "tuneablility" in an OEM carb.