Hello,
I have a 2004 Sportster with 1200 kit, I had to replace the ignition switch on the bike and the bike hadn't been running the best so I decided to address the carb as well. The bike would run the best when the choke was pulled slightly and that is why I took this opportunity to try to fix it. I took the carb off the bike and thoroughly cleaned the jets. I also inspected the diaphragm for the Accelerator Pump. I have insured it is working and spraying fuel when the throttle is twisted. I couldn't get the bike to run unless I physically lifted the vacuum slide then it would idle roughly. A neighbor was walking by and said he has worked on engines for 30 years suggested the float could be the issue?

For clarity, the Main jet is a 185 and the pilot jet is a 42. I have the mixture screw set a 2 turns out right now.

Thank you in advance for any help.

 

did you take the carb vac diaphragm off?? one must be careful installing the cap as it can be damaged and the slide will not work correctly.
also of note, the is a base adjustment for the slide, have you tried the idle adjustment screw??
also, if you upset a manifold to head seal, the air leak will cause issues.

 

I did get the bike purring today. I went back and decided I was going to strip the carb down and start over. I doing so, I realized when i put it together the last time I made a mistake and installed the spring seat then the needle jet. I should have first dropped in the needle jet then the spring seat then the spring when reassembling the vacuum diaphragm. Once I did it correctly, it fired right up and with a little adjustment of idle and mixture, it seems to be right on the money.

Thanks for the suggestions!