74 Sportster Carb Problem
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74 Sportster Carb Problem
I just recently bought a 74 Sporty and a friend that owns a shop here in town gave me a S&S GAL carb since he doesn't work on Harleys. I tried it but it fouled out the plugs. I thought that something was wrong so I decided to tear into the carb and found nothing wrong. No gunk, no buildup, nothing. But wow was that thing simple! I noticed while I had the thing torn down that it had a jet in the bottom of it that had an 80 stamped into it. Then I got to wondering if the main jet might be too big. If anyone can tell me what size main jet that I should have on a stock Ironhead? Also where can I find a jets for an old GAL? Any help is appreciated.
Droff85
Droff85
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 185
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From: North Myrtle Beach, SC
Droff I'd say call S&S I'm sure they'll be glad to help you but... Are you sure you want to try and run the L-series carb? Funny thing, I had a 1974 Sportster that I put a set of S&S wheels in (4 5/8" stroke) 13 to 1 pistons, Sifton Minus-minus cams etc in. When the motor was first built I ran the L-Series S&S carb and it was a ****** to Crank. (Kick only.) The L carb has a Choke (as you know). Cranking the stroker was, Switch off, Choke on, 2 or more kicks, turn on switch and choke off, Kick and Pray that it didn't pop back or kick back and just maybe it would crank. If not, a couple more kicks then switch off, choke on couple more kicks and etc. I rode the bike maybe a thousand miles with the L-series carb. I went my by pals shop one day and he's standing in the floor holding a New S&S Super up when I went through the door. It was one of the first Supers made, I couldn't get it bolted on fast enough and what a difference. Now the stroker would crank without 10 minutes of choke and kick. The L-Series looks like a oversize Linkert, they're cool but cranking a Sportster with a kick is not going to be fun. Naturally I've killed to many brain cells to remember what jets I used but 80 does ring a bell but my engine was far from stock.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,035
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From: Houston Texas
I just recently bought a 74 Sporty and a friend that owns a shop here in town gave me a S&S GAL carb since he doesn't work on Harleys. I tried it but it fouled out the plugs. I thought that something was wrong so I decided to tear into the carb and found nothing wrong. No gunk, no buildup, nothing. But wow was that thing simple! I noticed while I had the thing torn down that it had a jet in the bottom of it that had an 80 stamped into it. Then I got to wondering if the main jet might be too big. If anyone can tell me what size main jet that I should have on a stock Ironhead? Also where can I find a jets for an old GAL? Any help is appreciated.
Droff85
Droff85
Since you say it is fouling the plugs I am thinking you have the larger size...... pg
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 751
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From: 500 miles south from Artic Circle
As PG wrote, hard to say if S&S model isn't known. If it's S&S Super E, witch is only that somehow work on (normal) ironhead, if someting else I woudn't put it back.
S&S E adjustments can be started from #295-300 intermedia and #64-68 main jet.
First thing is close accelerator pump adjustment, detailed instructions HERE
S&S E adjustments can be started from #295-300 intermedia and #64-68 main jet.
First thing is close accelerator pump adjustment, detailed instructions HERE
More info here on the S&S compant website. You should be able to find here the jetting etc recommendations ...
http://www.sscycle.com/
http://www.sscycle.com/
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 185
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From: North Myrtle Beach, SC
The S&S he has was Made way before a "Super". Here's a picture. The L series didn't have an enrichener!
S&S "EARLY" L-SERIES TOP FUEL DRAG CARB SERIAL NUMBER FB 144. THIS CARB WAS MADE
BETWEEN 1967-74. THIS IS ONE OF THE FIRST MADE. THE "F" STANDS FOR FUEL. THE "B" STANDS
FOR 1 3/4 INCH THROAT. THIS CARB IS FOR TOP FUEL ONLY, NOT GAS THIS IS WHAT S&S HAD TO
SAY: "THIS CARB IS REFERRED TO AS THE EARLY STYLE CARB BEFORE IT WAS NAMED L-SERIES.
S&S Early Style carburators were made in both gas and fuel versions in two sizes, 1-3/4" and 1-7/8".
Identification of an Early Style carb can be done by noting the serial number stamped in the body
below the cast-in wording "S&S Cycle". The letter "G" stands for gas and the letter "F" stands for fuel.
A letter "A" designation or no letter following means it has a 1-7/8" throat. A letter "B" means the
throat is 1-3/4" in diameter. Gas carbs were made from 1967-1971 and Fuel carbs were made from
1967-1974.
The GAL, GBL, MGAL Models were made in gas versions only. Both the 1-7/8" and the 1-3/4" sizes
were retained using the same "A" and "B" designations previously used in the Early Style carburetors.
An "L" was added to denote the "Late" in Late Style and to further distinguish them from the early
types. The MGAL versions were modified {"M" in MGAL} GALs. The serial numbers for the L series can
be found below the cast-in wording "S&S Cycle". The GAL and GBL were made from 1972-1975 and
the MGAL were made from 1977-1978.
The MGL model of the L Series type carburetors was made in a gas version only. Since they were
made in one size, 1-7/8", the size designation letter was dropped. The MGL carburetor can be
identified by the letters "MG" cast onto the rear of the carburetor body and were made in 1980-1981."
S&S "EARLY" L-SERIES TOP FUEL DRAG CARB SERIAL NUMBER FB 144. THIS CARB WAS MADE
BETWEEN 1967-74. THIS IS ONE OF THE FIRST MADE. THE "F" STANDS FOR FUEL. THE "B" STANDS
FOR 1 3/4 INCH THROAT. THIS CARB IS FOR TOP FUEL ONLY, NOT GAS THIS IS WHAT S&S HAD TO
SAY: "THIS CARB IS REFERRED TO AS THE EARLY STYLE CARB BEFORE IT WAS NAMED L-SERIES.
S&S Early Style carburators were made in both gas and fuel versions in two sizes, 1-3/4" and 1-7/8".
Identification of an Early Style carb can be done by noting the serial number stamped in the body
below the cast-in wording "S&S Cycle". The letter "G" stands for gas and the letter "F" stands for fuel.
A letter "A" designation or no letter following means it has a 1-7/8" throat. A letter "B" means the
throat is 1-3/4" in diameter. Gas carbs were made from 1967-1971 and Fuel carbs were made from
1967-1974.
The GAL, GBL, MGAL Models were made in gas versions only. Both the 1-7/8" and the 1-3/4" sizes
were retained using the same "A" and "B" designations previously used in the Early Style carburetors.
An "L" was added to denote the "Late" in Late Style and to further distinguish them from the early
types. The MGAL versions were modified {"M" in MGAL} GALs. The serial numbers for the L series can
be found below the cast-in wording "S&S Cycle". The GAL and GBL were made from 1972-1975 and
the MGAL were made from 1977-1978.
The MGL model of the L Series type carburetors was made in a gas version only. Since they were
made in one size, 1-7/8", the size designation letter was dropped. The MGL carburetor can be
identified by the letters "MG" cast onto the rear of the carburetor body and were made in 1980-1981."
Last edited by Mcathcart; Aug 13, 2009 at 10:58 AM.
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Yes I have the carb that looks like the one in that picture. It has a 1-7/8 bore and currently has no choke plate(That may pose a problem with the choke, kick, choke routine. It is kind of hard to hold the bike up when you have one hand over the carb.) I do have a shaft to put one in but just not the plate. I do have a factory Keihin but it needs to be rebuilt and the accelerator pump is broken. I don't know what to do but I just know that I am getting tired of it taking up space in my carport and not on the road.
Last edited by droff85; Aug 13, 2009 at 09:27 PM.
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 751
Likes: 6
From: 500 miles south from Artic Circle
If it's that model I recom that you find something else (Keihin CV from EVO) or rebuilt your Keihin butterfly. If you change to Keihin CV or Mikuni you need adapter to fit carb to manifold and some modifications to throttle cables.
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Joe Kucinski
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From: North Myrtle Beach, SC
I totally agree! If yours is missing the choke plate, forget it, since it doesn't have a pump, you'll have to run with no air cleaner and choke it with your hand. I think the carb "should" be worth a reasonable amount (do you have the intake and air cleaner?). Look in the classifieds here or on ebay and get something that you can live with. The L-series will work better on a big Stroker that someone is racing. I know it would look cool on the Sporty but you are not going to like it. Keep us posted. I'll bet $5.00 that someone (somewhere) will trade you a Super for it even and you'll both be happy as a pig in mud.
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Paulution
Exhaust System Topics
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Jul 29, 2007 08:10 AM
1981, camshafts, carb, carbs, carburator, carburetor, carburetors, mgal, mgl, mikuni, minusminus, series, sifton, sportster, ss
