Hi everyone, I an new to the forum and have a tuning question. I have a 2000 Wide Glide and am running V&H pipes with monster baffles, S/E air cleaner and S/E ignition. The carburetor had a thunder slide kit installed when I purchased the bike and I could never get it tuned right. It would not run with anything smaller than a #52 slow jet. Anything smaller would idle well but die as soon as you crack the throttle. I rebuilt the carb and put it back completely stock other than I installed the N65C sporty needle. I tried a #48 slow jet but was too rich so I changed it back to #45 which was too lean. I now have a #45 slow jet #190 main and 2 shims under the sporty needle with the idle mixture screw out 3 3/4 turns. The bike now runs pretty well but still is a little lean. Should I go up to #46 jet. also should I go back to the stock needle (with or without shims) or keep the N65C needle. I am trying to get better fuel mileage (only got about 32 mpg with the thunder slide kit) and better low end performance. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

Check your accelerator pump diaphragm. I have a 2000 DWG, and was having a similar issue. Turns out the diaphragm had a pin hole in it. I never noticed it until gas starting leaking out the pump shaft. The crappy gas you get now days will cause problems like this. I always use super unleaded, but its still crap.

 

Thanks for the info. I checked the accelerator pump and found no problems there. However, while I had the carb off I checked a few other things (and I feel like an idiot and probably shouldn't even post this) but I discovered that I had put the needle jet in upside down. I did take out the sporty needle and put the N72 needle back in with 2 shims. I had not had the chance to ride until this morning. Even though it seemed to be just a little lean while just revving in the garage, it had a severe stumble while riding. Now she is running better than ever. Thanks again for your reply

 

Good deal.