Quick question for the pros......I have a 95 softtail custom with your standard 88-inch evo motor. I also have a Forcewinder high-flow air filter. I am upgrading my pipes to the Thunderheader 2-1 system. Should I also include a Stage 1 carb kit upgrade with that, or have I covered all the bases with the Forcewinder?

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Yep the carb will need to be re-jetted

 

Any particular reason why? Could I just fine tune the air/fuel mixture while the motor is running?

 

Harleys come lean from the factory for EPA reasons. A free flow air filter and exhaust lets more air flow through the engine leaning out the mixture which was already lean to begin with. Now you need to let more fuel into the system to cool it or risk serious engine damage. I do not think that fiddling with the carb without rejetting will get you anywhere. When racing, I would take a handfull of jets and select the best one for the altitude and barametric pressure on race day but that seems a bit extreem these daze [sic].

 

That makes sense.....the scary part is my mechanic told me I wouldn't need to re-jet.....that the air filter and exhaust would square me away.

How can I tell if I'm running to lean? Coughing and hesitation?

 

With a high flow air filter, and Thunderheader, you will need to re-jet. Popping, coughing, spitting are all symptoms of a lean condition, but the best measure is to check you plugs. Run at 3,000 RPM's (65 to 70 MPH) for a few minutes, pull in the clutch, shut off the engine, and coast to a stop. Pull the plugs and check color. Black and Sooty=rich, White or light grey=lean, grey to tan= just right.

I have made numerous posts on what has worked for me when tuning a carb. A search under my name should find these posts for you.

Also, if you have a 1995 Softail, you don't have an 88 inch engine. It is an 80 inch single cam EVO, unless it has been bored or stroked.

Regards,

Bill

 

Thanks for setting me straight Bill! I dunno where the 88-inch came from!?

I won't get my bike back until next week. so here I am another weekend without it!