I have a killer cycle CV and SE air clearner on my 1988 FLHTC. It's jetted at like, 47 slow and 175 or 180 main, should be big enough with no cams or anything more than AM mufflers. Often, when I blip the throttle I get a cough through the carb. I have fooled with the mixture screw plenty. Also, my buddy says that when I am hard on it I'm shooting a flame out of the right side muffler between first and second gears.

That idle jet should be plenty big so, why the occasional cough through the carb? Also, that flame when riding hard and shifting between first and second gears, what's that? Too big of a main jet? My plugs seem to look fine to my eye.

Also, my bike seems to hunt a little at idle. It will wander some from say 800 rpms to 1000 rpms. Irritating!!

As a side note, the old butterfly carb coughed like that too. The mechanic said I'd have to live with it. The old butterfly was a bear to start but, once warm

 

You're too lean at idle.

 

I have a 50 idle jet that I can install but, that seems awful big.. For a stock bike the 47 seems like plenty of idle jet. I have had the needle out 4 turns and it still hunted at idle. I don't remember that it coughed so much but, those jet sizes ought to be enough..agree?

Heck, I don't know.

 

Yep, too lean.

Did it come with the 50? put it back in.
The air bleed for the pilot circuit was probably modified

 

It came with the 47 slow.

Any opinions about the shooting flame when hard on it and shifting between first and second?

 

Check for intake leaks too. That'll lean you out.

 

Slapping myself in the forehead.. I knew that but, it didn't occur to me. Getting old ain't for whimps.

 

Good call, Owtlaw.