I'm working with someone on a bike, which is a 1995 EVO Softtail. It was exhibiting some rough idling and leaking fuel.

It turns out the leaking fuel was from the accelerator pump diaphragm.

Now it has classic lean running characteristics. Pretty good popping on decel, a bit sluggish on blipping the throttle. Haven't looked at the sparkies yet.

What's odd is that the jets are 42/185 on this bike. As far as I can tell, the stock jets should be 42/165. What would motivate someone to put a 185 on there?

It has a stage 1 configuration with a K&N air filter and loud but rather strongly baffled pipes. The pipes are Harley branded and have a baffle that almost fills the diameter of the pipe, so they are loud but seem to have sufficient backpressure.

Anyone have any suggestions on a "reset" on the jets? I was thinking 45/165 or 45/170 to start? I just don't understand why they (whoever that is) would have picked 42/185 in the first place.

The other alternative is that I can leave it in place, tweak the mix and decide from there. Any problems with the current config?

One other thing - the mix was adjusted at about 1.5 turns from set. So that seems lean for a stage 1 bike.

Thanks.

 

It was just plain illogical to have a 185 jet. On inspection with a magnifier, it is a 165. So I think I may try 45/170 but the main is a 165.

Signed,
Need Reading Glasses

 

Change the idle/pilot jet only. Go with the 45. That should correct your lean condition. Watch (read) your plugs. When idle/pilot is dialed in, then start working on the main jet. 175 should be fine for a stage 1. YD

 

Yep will get into plugs soon. Got the parts ordered. Now the wait.

 

45 is the slow jet you want to start at - leave the main alone - change one thing at a time.