During my bikes service (Standing for 2 years) the HD workshop changed my 1200S jets from 200/42 to 180/40 as they claim this is the recommendation.
Now at normal operating temp the bike is great but, it does not idle while cold (16Celcius), even with the choke. When trying to ride the bike while cold(with or without the choke) it misses and feel as if it runs out of gas. It's basically impossible to ride the bike while cold and if I let it stand idling to warm up, it dies. Please assist.

 

Harry
I would say that your new jet sizes are close, for the climate you live and ride in. If you go to your owners manual I believe it states to drive your sportster about 2 mi with the choke or enrichment **** partway out.
For me sometimes its much farther 3-4 miles depends how cold it is out.
Hope I gave good info. If not others will chime in.

Ride hard today may be your last!

 

Carbed Sporties are notoriously crapy when cold. Just warm it up.

Bwana

 

Harry, I have an 06 883. It is a slow warmer also. Especially since I put a stage one A/C kit on her. she sneezes a bit till shes warm. If cold enough outside, she sneezes even after engine has been warmed. Keep the choke out and run her easy for a few miles. Ya may need to adjust the idle screw to bump up the RPMs just a bit. Once my Sporty's is warm, she runs awesome. Just try not to push her for a few miles. She will appreciate it.

 

I think your 40 pilot jet is too small, this is a Keihin CV40, correct? I think a lot of people run a 45 pilot on a 1200.

John

 

+1 - Change the pilot jet to a #45. OEM Keihin pilot jet sizes are 40, 42, 45, 48.
A 40 pilot on a 1200 is definitely too small.

 

Thanks Guys, I have changed the jets to 170/45 and the bike sounded much better when I started it. Will take it for a test ride this afternoon. Unfortunately, when fitting the choke to the choke bracket I over fastened
the steel nut on the plastic casing and broke the plastic casing. Need to get a new one today.

 

I bump up the idle a little when its cold too.

30f