CV carb jets again
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Stellar HDF Member
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From: Middle of Kansas
CV carb jets again
I got my 99 Softail Custom a year ago with 17,000 miles on it. It has a K&N air filter, and drag pipes. It runs extremely well, and I have 23,000 on it now. Plugs have a slight gray color to them, but mostly white, and I get 48 to 52 MPG. I do not know if the jets have been changed. My question is, would you go ahead and see what it has in there, or just continue to ride it? I did back out the idle air screw about a turn, as it was a little lean at idle when cold. I generally start it with the enrichner pulled out, then push it all the way in and lock the throttle to keep it at a fast idle until it warms up before riding. The stock jets are 42 and 170, but I am thinking it would not run this well if those were still in there. It had the air cleaner and drag pipes on it when I got it. I live at about 1200' altitude. Thanks for any and all replys. Jim
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From: North Atlanta Area, GA
I got my 99 Softail Custom a year ago with 17,000 miles on it. It has a K&N air filter, and drag pipes. It runs extremely well, and I have 23,000 on it now. Plugs have a slight gray color to them, but mostly white, and I get 48 to 52 MPG. I do not know if the jets have been changed. My question is, would you go ahead and see what it has in there, or just continue to ride it? I did back out the idle air screw about a turn, as it was a little lean at idle when cold. I generally start it with the enrichner pulled out, then push it all the way in and lock the throttle to keep it at a fast idle until it warms up before riding. The stock jets are 42 and 170, but I am thinking it would not run this well if those were still in there. It had the air cleaner and drag pipes on it when I got it. I live at about 1200' altitude. Thanks for any and all replys. Jim
You should definitely not be running stock jets with a K&N filter and drag pipes! That would be way too lean. Hopefully the person who put those on your bike rejetted the carb. It isn't at all difficult to pull the carb off and check them - I would recommend you do that, so you at least know what jets you're running.
CLICK HERE for detailed rejetting instructions from harley-performance.com.
CLICK HERE for carb modification and rejetting instructions from nightrider.com.
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From: Richmond, VA
I agree. I would be stunned if someone added those parts and didn't rejet. If you think it may be a tad lean, turn the mixture screw out. Thats probably an easy way to see if some ones been in that carb, too. If you can get to the mixture screw, the carbs been messed with. Turn it out a 1/4 turn and then a 1/2 and see how she runs. Ride it a few miles and recheck the plugs.
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Stellar HDF Member
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From: Middle of Kansas
Thanks guys; It is supposed to rain tomorrow, so I will drop the bowl off and see whats in there. I am guessing the way it runs that the jets have been changed. I am pretty sure the pipes and air cleaner were installed by a HD shop in Texas. Should the needle be shimmed also? Thanks again. Jim
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I'd agree, they've likely been changed but you'll never know what you have till you look. Shimming the needle gets into some very fine (and complicated) tuning and I'd recommend not. But if you get interested, pull the top and the needle. The number will be stamped next to the head and would give a better insight as to how it affects the jetting you have.
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Stellar HDF Member
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From: Middle of Kansas
I will check it out tomorrow. That is another thing that made me believe the jets had been changed. The plug had been removed from the idle mixture screw. But I am curious to see whats in there. Then I will know for sure. I will let you guys know what I find.
Last edited by Jim Kraft; May 18, 2010 at 05:46 PM. Reason: added info
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Stellar HDF Member
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From: Middle of Kansas
Ok carb guru's. My carb had a 42 slow jet, which is stock, which is also why I had to open up the mixture screw. The main jet is a 180, which is 10 over stock at 170. I think I am going to leave the 180 in there for now. I am replacing the 42 slow jet with a 45 and see how that goes. What do you guys think? Should I go to a 46 slow, and 185 main? My HD shop has them all.
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From: NC USA
Someone is gonna have to show me one or document that they even make a 46 low jet. I never saw one except a 48 that looks like a "6" on the stamp... well I just did some searching and sure enough, there's people out there selling what they call a 46 low jet. Just goes to prove "they" will make anything some one will buy... but Keihin doesn't not make one http://www.keihin-us.com/list.htm
Jim I'd stay with the 180 for now but definitley go up on the low jet. 180 will give you enough for almost any bolt-in cam, assuming you don't want to kill your fuel mileage. Going to a 45 will let you put more to it without being so far out on the screw that it's inconsistant with the fuel. That's what happens when you get too far out, you're either OK or too lean with no room to tweak in between.You could even go with a 48, and that'd put you good for any cam or pipe combo you might run later but could prove to be a little much. If you do a 45, start about 2.25 out on the screw. Tuning one so you don't need to use the enricher for a short period when it's cold, only wastes fuel when it's up to temp...
You never did say what cam you're running? (if you know) and where is the idle screw at now with the 42?
Jim I'd stay with the 180 for now but definitley go up on the low jet. 180 will give you enough for almost any bolt-in cam, assuming you don't want to kill your fuel mileage. Going to a 45 will let you put more to it without being so far out on the screw that it's inconsistant with the fuel. That's what happens when you get too far out, you're either OK or too lean with no room to tweak in between.You could even go with a 48, and that'd put you good for any cam or pipe combo you might run later but could prove to be a little much. If you do a 45, start about 2.25 out on the screw. Tuning one so you don't need to use the enricher for a short period when it's cold, only wastes fuel when it's up to temp...
You never did say what cam you're running? (if you know) and where is the idle screw at now with the 42?
Last edited by t150vej; May 19, 2010 at 03:12 PM.
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Stellar HDF Member
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From: Middle of Kansas
As far as I know the cam is stock. Still has the original rivit on ign. cover on the cam cover. Just guessing though. If I remember right, I was about 3 turns out on the mixture screw. I will set it at 2.25 turns to start with, and go from there.
Thanks for all your help you guys. There is so much experience here and I am learning a lot. I had done quite a bit of work on my old 84 Iron Head Sportster carb, but now I am kind of learning all over again. The CV carb looks pretty easy to work on though.
Thanks for all your help you guys. There is so much experience here and I am learning a lot. I had done quite a bit of work on my old 84 Iron Head Sportster carb, but now I am kind of learning all over again. The CV carb looks pretty easy to work on though.