Have a new to me 63' Duo Glide with 1-1/2" Linkert. Performance over 1/2 throttle is not great.
Changed fuel and pulled and cleaned Linkert carb. All looked good, even the fuel.
I started the idle and high speed needle per manual and ran like crap. Even blowing black at idle. I have now adjusted idle to 2-1/2 turn out instead of the 5 in the manual and the high speed is 1 instead of 2 out. Much better but I think the high speed could be better.
Seems like the main jet is too large. I have searched the forum to see if there is a common problem/ improvement that can be done and I find none.
When I first bought the bike I found the plugs very rich.
I am installing new plugs so I can get a fresh color tonight. Obviously not an intake leak as it is rich and not lean. Timing seems good as I can retard and performance gets worse. Also should not be a loose throttle shaft leaking as I checked and it seems good and again rich not lean. Float has been changed, adjusted and a sinking float would not have adjusted out at idle.
Any magic with these Linkerts?

 

Over thinking it this is what we tell customers

yours - turn the low in a 1/2 turn and put a 1/2 more in the hi take it for a ride straight road 30mph and turn the throttle wide open in 3rd full advance as it revs you want it to pull with out chuckling - keep making it rich till it does chuckle then back it off till it stops - then at idle turn the receiver to 1/2 retardant the idle will slow but put advance in so it does not stall then adjust the idle till the speed is the best sounding -balance the idle stop and mix when its a full advance - then 3rd gear again and see if it stayed if not adjust so it pulls the best but not too rich that it chuckles

NOW - this is if the points are set correctly both sets in the distributor two timing marks are on the flywheels for this ( read the factory book about this more then twice till you really understand ) and make sure using a test light the points are braking at the correct moment -BUT report how much play is in the distributor back and forth this is make you nuts tuning it and yes e 2000 ed makes a electronic trigger to eliminate the 2 sets of points 6 volt you need a 1.5 OHM coil and 12 volt a 4 or 5 ohm coil he recommends a 3 ohm but not an electronic i have never found one and looked we have for indians but not Harley we use a 5 ohm point coil 12 volts

more carb issues are the brass intake seals we convert to peek - and the throttle shaft is loose at the top most times cant check that with the top piece on and the spring pushing down - linkert is a great carb it does not do what the later carbs react

 

Thanks John for the input. You are right I am probably over thinking it. I did google the issue and it seems to be very common that everyone is having to turn the needles in way more than the 5 and 2 recommended as a start. I actually have it running fairly good at the moment.
I already have the E2000 ignition but will also check coils.
Sounds like the early HD's like to run a little rich anyway.

 

Once its too your liking find a road long so you can hold the throttle at 1/3 to 1/2 lets say for 20 minuets - then pull over gas station with gloves take the easiest spark plug out

if its like the one on the right and not the one on the left its very close - the adjustable jets has a ball ratchet - turn the hi speed the one not connected to the choke clockwise only 3 small clicks at a time will change the plug color when your real close - in and try it again on the road - your looking for some black and some dark tan - a finesse is the deal and dont get to its fine - make sure you use the time doing this correctly

once your done you can count the turns on both and record them so no matter what happens you have a base line to start with — that will let it run down the road

we suggest an ink pen to mark the location so you get it exact to what you have done - then weather changes its 2 clicks out for cooler weather or what ever your altitude requires

 

Thanks John, Yes I just picked up some new plugs today so I could work plug color from scratch.

 

Looks like I am a little too lean. I have move the high speed out three clicks and will recheck.
I am hoping it is typical for the front cylinder to run rich or I may be burning some oil in the front cylinder.
Since John's picture shows the front darker as well, maybe this is typical.

 

I am not the expert, but both plugs should look about the same. If you are positive that you have no air leaks, intake manifold and throttle shaft, I would then find the right guy that will Dyno tune your bike. I have a local shop that has tuned bikes as far back as JD's on the Dyno. First time he tuned my Flathead I thought he changed the motor?!?!?! Sometimes technology is not a bad thing.