I have a 1987 XL1100 and I want to try an upgrade to a CV40 mm carb from what is referred to as an old can.

I was looking at some used carbs on line: 27488-92, 27480-97 and 27492-96 just to list a few. ( I assume last 2 digits are a year) Will any of these bolt onto my existing manifold. Will any or all use the same throttle cable and same air cleaner?

I had assumed they were all more/less the same until I read about one on eBay where the seller said it involved to much change over to swap the carb on his 1986 sportster. What he is selling looks just like the 3 part numbers listed above.

I guess a better question might be to ask how the CV's change over time and which one(s) will fit and which one(s) will work the best on a stock xl1100.

 

No bolting on required.
Yes it should slip on to existing manifold
For the same price you can get a mikuni hsr42

 

I do not want to tear into my bike until I know what is going on and have at least made an effort to have right parts on hand. It is easier to peruse eBay salvage bike parts than open up my own can of worms. I did some additional homework on eBay.

The 86/87 manifold is different. The old carb attaches with 2 bolts. The 88 and later is a slip on fit with the CV's. I need a manifold.

I also found an ebay listing for throttle cables for 86 and 87 sportster ONLY. So; apparently that is different. I need new cables.

Do I need a new throttle assembly on the handlebar? What else?

Some one must have done this? Am I posting on the right forum?

 

27004-86 is the part number. You are correct. The carb does bolt on to it for 2 years. However their are also adapters available
Like this
http://www.sportsterspecialty.com/bi...portsters.html

 

Adaptor. Nice! My biggest fear (well besides, after I die, my wife selling my bikes for what I told her I paid) is breaking off bolts froze in aluminum.

I am going to try and snipe a carb tonight. If I get time later, lift the tank and carefully test the bolts.

 

Try xlforum.net, there are a lot of older bike experts on that forum IMO.

John

 

Having just tried this on an 86 that I thought had a bad butterfly carb....its definitely not a simple swap.

I did acquire a replacement cv manifold. Correct part number is 27004-88a (from 88 to 2003). 2004 the manifold had a MAP sensor added so part number changed.

On my 86, the petcock is on the right side and well, kind of in the way. You can't just simply get a tank with fuel on the left side because the engine support bracket on the left side holds choke and ignition. So, you'd have to re-engineer the wheel so to speak to make it all work right.

Over the last few weeks, I discovered there was nothing wrong with the butterfly carb. Was simply adjusted incorrectly. With choke engaged, throttle was also engaged way too much. Idling at 3-4k rpm.

Very simple carb to work on. I can, however, understand why you'd want to convert to CV. Used for a longer period of time and parts are still readily available from many sources.

Good luck.

 

My 1991 has the petcock on the right with the CV carb. No issues with clearance, but I have the peanut tank too.

John