So I have a 96' fatboy, it has recently, after bringing it out from winter, been acting like it needs a carb re-build or cleaning. It is a bit sluggish, will act like it's not getting gas when I am cruising yet goes away the minute I give it some throttle. So I was looking online and was wondering if it is worth upgrading the carb? I am looking at the S&S Cycle Super 'E' kit or the Mikuni HSR 42 smoothbore kit. The S&S seems to get better reviews, just thought I would ask y'all s opinion

Thank you,
Erik

 

Those are great carbs and either would be a great upgrade....

However, I believe the CV40 carb is a very under appreciated carb.. It will do whatever you need, to a little over 100HP....

It is easy to tune, easy to rebuild, and parts are readily available....

If it started acting up after storage, it's probably a dirt, or a varnish/gunk issue... They way you describe it.. sounds like the pilot jet or mixture screw seat is dirty/gunked up...

I would pull it apart, clean it well, replace wear items (rebuild it), and then remount it.... Making sure to check the intake seals... they can go bad/develop leaks...

If it was running well before storage, an you haven't pulled the OEM plug blocking access to the mixture screw (set at the factory), you shouldn't even need to retune it...

If you are unsure about the carb, go to the CV Performance web site... they have a lot of good info and tutorials about tuning, rebuilding, etc...

If you find damage, like a cracked/broken carb body... you will need to buy a new carb... Then you can look into what to buy next...

That being said.... I have made changes before, just because I wanted to... if that's the case, I would get the S&S... both are good carbs, but I've had an S&S Super "E" before and I liked that carb...

Goos luck with your decision/repair...

 

Maybe S&S has improved since I had one back in the day (Snakes were walkin')
I'd go the Mikuni 42 or the Screamin' Eagle 44 MM C/V

 

Installed a Mikuni HSR42 on my Deluxe after tearing off all the EFI and it runs great! it even has a nice lope to it when idling.

 

No reason to spend 500 bucks just because your carburetor is dirty...

Disassembling a CV carb is simple.

Here`s some good info, and a good source for parts:

CV Carb Info

 

I went ahead and decided to rebuild the CV carb. In the process of tearing the bike down now. Thank you for all the info.

 

I believe you made a good choice... at the least, a very inexpensive one....

About a little over a year ago, I bought a 2001 Springer FXSTS, all OEM with a carb, and only 9.8K miles on it...

Needless to say, while in beautiful condition, there were very few miles and a lot of maintenance to catch up on.... it ran pretty rough...

One of the things that needed attention was the carb... I torn it down, cleaned it real well, and put it together with some new parts...

I also tuned the mixture screw.... Now, it seems to start before the starter spins the engine over twice.... it runs really well... You won't regret your decision...