Best Carb for a 66 Sportster
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Stage IV
Joined: Jun 2025
Posts: 4
Likes: 5
From: Lynn, MA
Best Carb for a 66 Sportster
Hello,
I just purchased a 66 Sportster and it has an old Tillotson on it and want to replace it. I contacted S&S and they said they do not have one that will fir because of the magneto. What are my choices, clean and rebuild the old? It has a 1 cable throttle, so might have to switch to 2 cable. Thoughts?
I just purchased a 66 Sportster and it has an old Tillotson on it and want to replace it. I contacted S&S and they said they do not have one that will fir because of the magneto. What are my choices, clean and rebuild the old? It has a 1 cable throttle, so might have to switch to 2 cable. Thoughts?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 8,569
Likes: 3,324
From: Cental, MI
Hello,
I just purchased a 66 Sportster and it has an old Tillotson on it and want to replace it. I contacted S&S and they said they do not have one that will fir because of the magneto. What are my choices, clean and rebuild the old? It has a 1 cable throttle, so might have to switch to 2 cable. Thoughts?
I just purchased a 66 Sportster and it has an old Tillotson on it and want to replace it. I contacted S&S and they said they do not have one that will fir because of the magneto. What are my choices, clean and rebuild the old? It has a 1 cable throttle, so might have to switch to 2 cable. Thoughts?
When you want to experiment..the original Lectron, a Round Slide Mikuni, even a Ka-Sneeze, is Better than most, except the Bendix!!!
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 605
Likes: 441
From: BRIGHTON, ENGLAND
Bendix on one of those Ironheads,...
Never go duel cables,....
that was only ever to meet fed regulations later, as they didn't trust you to close the throttle if ya crashed !!!,....
all they do is make things harder and more expensive to get to work,... a single cables usually silky smooth in opperation
Never go duel cables,....
that was only ever to meet fed regulations later, as they didn't trust you to close the throttle if ya crashed !!!,....
all they do is make things harder and more expensive to get to work,... a single cables usually silky smooth in opperation
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 928
Likes: 589
From: Connecticut
@slaphappytoys call Jr at Burkes V-Twin LLC in Tiverton. He's doing a lot of vintage iron. Solid guy, solid answers.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 61
Likes: 108
From: out there
I had a Bendix carb. on my '69 Sportster. I also bought the adjustable main jet and my bike ran beautifully. If you get a carb without an adjustable main jet you will need a special tap 9/32x32 or you will render your carb junk.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 8,569
Likes: 3,324
From: Cental, MI
I personally dislike them..If you need to Fool with yer Carb to that extent...You have Other Problems..
Stage I
Joined: Jun 2025
Posts: 1
Likes: 2
From: Greensboro.Maryland
I have one of those! The best move I ever made with her was to replace the Bendix it had when I got it to a .38mm Mikuni round slide.. now to be fair the reason I bought the Mikuni was I was at my witts end trying to make her a reliable.starter...every time ..without the usual cursing and kicking and screaming..and possible laughter from folks close by...at my old *** trying to kick start a bike as old as me! Turns out after enough time learning and just trial and error my INTAKE manifold was the issue. If you have a leak at the intake you will NEVER get the bike to start and indeed run well or reliably...
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Advanced
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 61
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From: out there
Why would you say that???
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 8,569
Likes: 3,324
From: Cental, MI
Give anyone I know an Adjustment, and they Will Adjust... and it will Never be the same..gotta do it all again... I tell em...don't bring it to me if you Touched it!! Some simply cant resist insisting they are Master Tuners!!!