So I think I may have a problem.
Recently got my first Sportster, an '04 883 Custom, completely stock.
Couldn't bring myself to ride it in the stock condition, so I did (myself) the Stage1 (V&H slip-ons, Arlen Ness Big Sucker, drilled out the plug and turned screw 2 1/2 turns out, #45 jet).
Now (not knowing what it was like before) it is real slow to leave the light. It feels like it's "bogging down" and then catches up to itself, like if I don't feather the clutch and gas it will die until I'm about at 10-15mph, then it goes strong. It's way worse when cold, but still bad when warm. It's not as bad with the choke on, but still bad. It's bad enough that I worry about not getting away from cars when I'm crossing busy intersections. My only point of comparison is that I have a '93 FXRP that takes off WAY faster. Aside from theses starts, the Sportster runs great.
Is there something (vacuum, cable, port, etc.) in the carb that may not be working right or, or a way to check that everything is?
Thanks.

 

I would say you've got a lean condition and need to turn that screw back in to richen it up.

 

Back in or back it out?

 

Back in is supposed to richen the mixture... I would personally do some experimenting to get the right balance. 2 1/2 turns sounds like a lot.

 

Actually 2 1/2 turns should be pretty close, but it also depends on your altitude, etc. Did you first screw the mixture screw all the way in, before you backed it out 2 1/2 turns? If you backed it out 2 1/2 turns from where it was set when you drilled out the plug...that would be the problem. But if you did that, I'd be surprised if it would run at all.

 

On any carb I've worked on, turning the mix screw IN leans the mixture. Turning the screw all the way in closes off the fuel.

 

I recently did my 05 883c. I went with a 45 slow jet and 180 main jet. Like SportyPig said, make sure you LIGHTLY seat the mixture screw then back it out. Also you should check your plugs.

 

I have an 01 with stage 1 complete and it will rip your nutsac a new one off the line. Very quick.

 

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nickdv9 is incorrect in his turning,adjusting of the low idle jet. By turning in the screw/jet you are cutting off the flow of fuel and making the mixture leaner(more air, less fuel) Did you remove the carb. Is it placed firmly back on the intake manifold with the gasket, level and not cocked? Is the fuel petcock on fully? Have you put the air filter back correctly? Is the vent tubeput back on the carb? Sporty pig is right in that you should be starting out from the bottom/closed and opening up to 2-2 1/2 turns as a start point.







DIt sound







nickdv9 is incorrect in his turning,adjusting of the low idle jet. By turning in the screw/jet you are cutting off the flow of fuel and making the mixture leaner(more air, less fuel) Did you remove the carb. Is it placed firmly back on the intake manifold with the gasket, level and not cocked? Is the fuel petcock on fully? Have you put the air filter back correctly? Is the vent tubeput back on the carb? Sporty pig is right in that you should be starting out from the bottom/closed and opening up to 2-2 1/2 turns as a start point.







DIt sound [/align][/blockquote]

 

Like someone suggested above I would check the plugs first. Richen the mixture, see how that feels, but also check the plugs once again after richening the mixture. They could be fouled...