New at this and any replies are appreciated.

I have an 06 softail with a stock carb.. I added vance and hines short shots with the baffles installed and an kn filter. Would like suggestions on the re-jetting. I installed a 48 slow jet and shimmed the stock needle .030". Idle mixture was set by turning in the mixture screw until falters a little then backing out untill stable about 2.5 turns. Idle speed is set at apprx. 900rpm. Seems a bit sluggish about 1/4 throttle and above.
like it takes a minute to get moving. Read a few websites on tuning and would appreciate any suggestions on a good starting point. Thank you!!

First bike and first harley and love it just want to tune correctly and keep it reliable.

 

Since this is your first Harley, you should know a couple things.

First, the Shortshots aren't exactly the best performance pipes. You will probably have a big dip in the torque curve below 3500 rpm. The Straightshots or Pro-Pipe are far better choices. But since you already have them, at least you did the right thing and left the baffles in. Running without them will absolutely kill your low end torque and can damage your engine, especially with the short pipes. Second, when trying to get better performance out of a Harley, you need to concentrate on getting more torque in the low to mid rpm range (1500-4000 rpm) which is where 95% of riding is done. Don't worry about horsepower since it's not very useful unless you are running it at high rpms all the time. Peak HP doesn't happen until above 5000 rpm. I rarely rev my engine above 5000, and usually shift at 3000-4000.

If you want it tuned correctly, find a shop with a dyno and have them run it. That's the only way to get it perfect. Using someone else's settings might get you close enough to let it run fairly well, but unless they have the exact same bike, modifications, weather conditions, live at the same altitude, etc., then it won't be right. You can call Vance & Hines and tell them what you have and they might be able to recommend jetting that will get you by until you dyno-tune it.

Also, your idle speed is too low. It needs to be 1000-1100 or you will prematurely wear out your bottom end and cause hesitation off idle when accelerating.

A word of advice.... if you don't have one already, buy a HD Factory Service manual for your bike before screwing with it. Don't waste money on the Clymer, Haynes, or other cheap books. They have a lot of incorrect and incomplete info in them. You just spent a fortune on a new Harley, so what's another 50 bucks for the proper manual?

Congrats on the new ride! Have you taken the MSF rider's course yet? I'd recommened it. What you learn will save your life someday! A friend of mine was scheduled to take it a few years ago, but she was killed less than a week before the class. If she had taken it already, she would most likely still be alive today.

Check out this website for some really good Harley performance and maintenance info: www.nightrider.com. Their information seems fairly accurate, but your factory manual should always be your main source for correct procedures.

 

spectrexx,

thank you for the reply. i had asked the local dealer about their stage one jetting and they told me they did not do a dyno run after the fact. so that is why i am attempting myself i am a master auto tech just new to carbs as i am young. ended up all said and done with a 48 slow, no shims on the stock needle and a 195 main. seems ok. going to look for a competent and willing dyno tuner. live in ohio if any suggestions. local hd dealers say is not necessary but like you said i want it as perfect as possible. also looking at wideband air fuel ratio meters commonly used for auto tuning by welding in an o2 sensor and mapping the air fuel ratio while you drive any one with expience?
thank again everyone

 

Hey lazy, if you're in central ohio I know a couple of places that will dyno tune.As for your carb watch your plugs and exhaust for carbon build up.I'm running a 195 main, a 48 slow and a '88 sporty 1200 needle in mine.I have 203 cams, 95" big bore, forcewinder intake and v&h staggered big shots.It seems to be dialed in but I haven't had it dynoed yet.If you are in or around columbus let me know and I'll give you yhe names of these places.

 

Thank you for your response. I most certianally would like the names of the local tuners phone numbers and which one you recomend. Seems i am running a bit rich in comparison to your scooter. Think maybe going down to a 46 slow and 190 stock main and just shimming the needle???
when the needle was shimmed seemed rich and sluggish in the midrange. perhaps with a 46 would make a difference??

 

I plan on doing the same thing (adding the AFR meter). You can pick up a mounting bung pretty cheap, then weld it in close to the head of the front cylinder. The O2 sensors don't cost much if you get them at Autozone or Advance Auto. The meters are kind of pricy, though.

 

Great advice