G'day all

Changed jets recently after a stage 1 - went from the standard 42/160 to a 45/170. Have read that our USA compadres (usually) have a 4 /175-185 combo. Independant here thought that anything higher than a 170 might be too much (better fuel quality ) . The 45 has made a great improvement - but still have a slight hiccup/hesitation at (I"m guessing - no tacho) around 4000 rpm. Anyone else experience this? Go 175 / 180 /185 ? .... or A/F screw ? Out 2.5 turns at moment. Plugs look good - bit of black on outer edge tho - so hesitant about going richer. Always run 98 fuel. Running Short Shots - not my choice, came with bike. Put in quiet baffles with EXTRA matting recently - made a marked difference in bottom end as well as significanty quieter at low revs. I have a "gut-feeling" that the s/s's are having a big effect on the fuelling and that changing to an even larger jet wont change anything. Engine runs great otherwise and as stated, hiccup is very minor . 

Anyone with similar ? Any suggestions welcome.

thx

George

  hey RR, that would be very noticable as 42 in pilot is very lean so 45 should be about perfect, you can make a good improvement changine the needle as this is fuel curve, can make more difference than just a main jet, if you can get a Bobby Woods K1 needle would be good as also gives improved fuel economy via a stepped kneedle stock is tappered. also the first CV HD used never had ecellerator pump so needle was different i've used one with 45/185 with good results but used more fuel, the K1 needle used less fuel than stock.

 

thx for reply KK - have read about using another needle from the earlier evo's - even queried the feller where I got my jets about this. He seemed to think trying a larger main jet (certainly $ wise), was worth trying first. Did u try any other combos before ending up with the 185 jet? Thinking about what u said about the old non-tapered needle makes me wonder if the hiccup is happening at that moment where the main jet is coming in to play ??
Would I notice much difference in pickup with -let's say- a 185 over the 170 I have in there now? U said u had "good" results - was it really quite noticeable? Doesn't really worry me if it uses a bit more fuel.
Appreciate ur comments Krash
cheers George

will do Smokeweasel - if u've done the air cleaner and exhaust - u should certainly at least change the pilot jet, otherwise the bike will be running very lean (not a good thing !!) and will idle, run and pull much better in the lower revs.

KK is right about the "old style" needle exchange - too many people have done it for it not to be effective. Might just swap the 170 for a 175 or 180 first - just see how that goes.

I took the float bowl off with the carb still on the bike - but wouldn't recommend it - very easy to bugger the 4 bolts holding it on. Took carb off when I had to drill the plug out for the A/F screw anyway. Simple as to get it off - literally 10 minutes work.
Plenty of threads on the net for this procedure - just make sure that u use the right size screwdriver for the jets as well - easy to strip the bronze buggers if u don't.

cheers
George

 RR when i ran the 185 main jet that was on a 1200 sporty i had a while back it ran strongest with that jet, i was also useing SE ignition module ( higher rev limit & more agressive advance curve. i tried 170 but was stronger with the 185mj

no hickups at all with stepped needle i got a stepped needle in the CV44 i'm useing on my old carb buell & it excellerates smooth & strong hits rev limiter like it hit a brick wall got rev limiter set @ 6,500, & gets same economy on a run as my m8's XB EFI Buell, but not saying there is a performance gain with stepped needle just better fuel economy on a run, you notice that in how far you can go before you have to turn on reserve

 

 

thx Krash - will give the 185 a go - not that expensive to experiment with. Will also look for a SE ignition module and the K1 needle.

cheers

Yell out how you get on as i have an absolute chitload of needles in the shed so if you know what you want....What is written on your current needle?

 

 

the K1 stepped needle is a Bobby Wood product  www.woodcarb.com 

you can find the part # of that early needle ( pre excelerator pump ) at night rider com

just saw your mention about removing float bowl with carb on manifold, best thing to do is change out the stock screws for allen heads then job is easier.

 

 

 

careful when replacing the screws as they deliberately use weak ones so that if you over-tighten it the screw breaks (my Mikuni uses aluminium screws)

That way you do not end up stripping out the thread on the carb etc which could leave you with an expensive paperweight

Weather has been pretty poor of late - so decided to do some tinkering.

Have had a problem to get the cooks' 883 running right since owning it. Stage 1 had been done - and A/F screw plug removed - so ASSUMED previous owner/and/or mechanic knew their stuff.
Lotsa low speed farts. Checked everywhere for leaks etc. Plugs too dark - so surely couldn't be a "lean" problem ?? Even simply trying to set a nice idle speed was a PITA. Had to "choke" for ages to keep running as well.

Decided to pull the carb for a look see. WTF - 42 idle and 190 main ! Suddenly it all became clear. Replaced 42 with a 45 - and swapped her 190 for the 170 in my 1200.

Her's now runs absolutely fantastic - with her light weight and lower gearing - I get to see her taillight rather than her headlight at the traffic-light sprints! !

My 1200 runs really well too - the high speed hiccup ALMOST completely gone - not really enuf to bother me.

Slight decrease in her fuel economy tho - from 20.5 k/p/l to 19'ish k/p/l

Mine's stayed about the same - 21 kpl. Strange that the 1200 has always had slightly better economy than the 883? Anyone else found this as well ? Lower gearing/more revs the reason ? Couldn't really care about a few liters more - just curious.

Thinking of changing the drive cog to one with a few teeth less - most of our riding is short-haul, winding stuff - I feel that the 1200 is a bit high geared. I'm 6' , 120kg - bikes' got a screen too. Anyone with same fat-stats as me? Opinions/ideas?

The sun's a shining - goin for a blast.

stay safe - cheers - George

Man they must have been smoking some wicked drugs when they put those jets in!...

I always assume that the previous owner was a total spaz when it comes to the bike so take nothing for granted.

ur dead right there tussuck - LMAO bout the wicked drugs. Old enuf and should of known better. Reminds me of when I got my bike - and the dealer assured me it was completely checked over and serviced. The left footpeg fell off when I put the bike in gear to leave the premises carpark !!!! Got home to find both oils completely rooted - black, smelly and thin as water. Decided to get a manual and start looking into doing it all myself - as I have always done, cars, bikes and trucks. Just pisses me off big time when people take ur hard earned money, promise to do things and then don't deliver. (list includes: primary chain so loose it was hitting the case, steering head bearing so loose that u had to ride with BOTH hands on the bars, back wheel out of alignment big time, drive belt as loose as a hookers knickers, clutch way out of adjustment, nut on the big bolt holding the engine in the rubber mount almost off the thread etc etc etc). Bike was a gift from the missus and I didn't take it out myself - and didn't want to hurt her feelings by saying too much. Should of taken a fake fall and sued the bastards !

Fucking dealers !!!!

Sorry bout the rant.
cheers

Worse yet.... I mate of mine bought a 87 Softail but had no license so it sits in his shed. He asked me to take it out for a run last Friday to help keep the engine rolling over.

Got as far as the first set of lights and the moment I touched the front brake the front end went out from under me. Cracked ribs and bruises stuff it all as well as the normal road rash to the bike.

I checked the front tyre out and even though it had tread it was fcuked....the rubber was hard as nails! The bike is a grey import and it looks like the folks that imported it left the OEM Dunlop tyre on it, buggered if I know how it passed a roadworthy. I know where he got the bike and I'm pissed at them, but I also know they will not give a chit - they have their money so they are happy. I told him to steer clear of them and to get the bike properly serviced at the Dealer before he tries to ride it as he will end killing himself (he thinks the bike is a real beast and fast as hell)