My bike is an 01 xl. I wanted to be cool and re-jet it myself, and now I'm having problems.

My bike now blows black smoke and stalls when I twist the throttle.
I went from stock 170 main to 180. a mechanic said it sounded like my jet was too large, and return to stock 170. (if so, I wasted my money).

I changed the needle from the flat head to one with rings on top (instructions said to put e-clip on the third ring from top). Is the needle supposed to move in the slide? I seated it loosely, as when I push it flush in the slide the rings on top of the needle prevented it from moving.

when the bike is running and warm, I was adjusting the a/m screw (up to 6 turns out when most forums say between 2 and 3) with no change. black smoke and stall on throttle twist.

could I have accidentally messed up the float? Is that an easy fix, or should I just take it to the shop?

Also, I had this part left over, but cant find it on any diagram or in the service manual. Any idea what it is/does, and where it goes?

Thanks in advance for all the help!

 

The leftover part looks like a bushing that fits into one of the 4 screws retaining the carb top, where the cable bracket is connected. You sound like you put a dynojet kit in the carb. I'd suggest going back to a stock emulsion tube, stock needle (get the NOKK needle) and seat, use 45/175 and 2.5/3 turns out as a starting point.

IMHO, the dynojet kits are an expensive way to transform your CV from a precision fuel metering device to an uncontrolled gas leak. If you've got one and think it works for you - good! I don't like 'em.

 

I got a cheap kit from j&p cycles ($30 with shipping). Didnt come with a 175.

So I basically wasted my money and should return to stock? bummer.

thanks for the reply and help. I appreciate it.

 

Ask around - mebbe someone will have the stock stuff they can send ya for shipping... The parts in question aren't much money even if you have to go to the stealership to get them. Jets - $5-7 each, The emulsion tube, less than $10, IIRC - the needle's about $12. While you have it apart - inspect the rubber vacuum diaphragm very carefully, replace it if there are any holes.

 

Now that I've laid hands on it all, it would seem that the smart choice is to buy piece meal. got more than I needed in the kit any way.

I kept all the stock parts, so I can go back to original.

Just disappointed it didnt go as smooth as I had hoped. Reading about the performance upgrade got me started, but I think I should leave well enough alone.

slide and diaphragm looked good.

thanks again.

 

What mods do you have? Pipes? Air Cleaner?

I have a dynojet kit and my bike has run great, not sure what the beef everyone has is about.

Anyway, maybe raise the "e" clip on the needle, that will lower it down into the needle jet a wee bit. Are you sure your installed your needle jet properly, sounds to me like it could be upside down, or missing? I think I would check that first. A 45 pilot jet should be all you need no matter your mainjet/needle configuration. Make sure to softly seat the mixture screw then back out 2.5 as a starting point.

Always nice having extra parts left over when finished. Who needs engineers.

John

 

John,

No "beef" with the Dynojet - it's just a very expensive way to get less than optimal performance outta your CV. The Dynojet is indeed an improvement over the lean factory tune, but, it overcompensates by tuning the carb to a much richer than stoichiometric mixture.

I don't have any idea what they cost now, but I recall that when I was looking at them in 1996 that they were almost $100 new. In comparison to the cost of a couple jets and a needle at less than $30? To my way of thinking, if I spend 5X as much on a solution, that it ought to be 5X as effective.

So - no beef, if yours does for you what you need it to, cool for you! I just want to share my experiences in a way that I hope prevents someone from unnecessarily spending $$ for lesser results.

 

I have k&n air filter, straight pipes baffle free.

By raise the clip, you mean go to the second groove from the top rather than the third like the instructions? I thought of that and will try it before returning to stock. (I really dont want to go back to stock as that means I wasted my money, and that sux. But you gotta do what you go to do to get it running, right?)

How can the needle jet be upside down? Pointy end goes through the slide, no?

At the moment my options are lower the needle, if that dont work, return to stock and get a 175 main and try that. If that dont work, just remain stock. That about sum it up?

Thanks for the reply.

 

I've had mine since 1991, I think they were only about $50 or maybe $75, but CV Performance wasn't around, nor HDForum or XLforum. Of course, my SE aircleaner was only about $50 and the SE slipons only $200 or less at the time too.

Agreed, today I'd just go with jets and (maybe) NOKK needle, but at least I did not spend the money on women and whiskey. Today I would just buy a 45/170 jet combo for cheap, and have some fun with the rest.

Also, my plugs look perfect, not rich at all.

John

 

john, my carb was stock 45/170 w/ nokk needle. Does that mean I shouldnt have tinkered with it to start with?