[Old Fart on 87FLH]

Hi,
Haven't posted in a while,...sickness in family.
Anyway, I was tinkering with the carb, ..(mistake probably), trying to smooth out some hesitation problems. Oh, I have an S&S Super E. I guess I turned the idle/mix screw too far in or out, and test rode down the block, and almost didn't get back!
I guess I got it too rich, and fouled a plug, luckily I keep two spares in the bag. I tinkered some more and finally , after a couple of pops that brought the neighbors out to see who was firing a shotgun in the driveway,I got it back to the right position so it runs good again.
So, now, my questions are,..when adjusting the idle/mix screw, which direction is rich, and which is lean?...(just tell me one, I can figure the other one out. . Also, does anyone know what the inital setting is , say if it was completly removed and had to be reset?
Thanks for any help.

[mwelych]

Good to hear from you... If I remember correctly from back in my mechanic days, for a richer mixture, you turned the screw counterclockwise. This increased the flow of fuel. Obviously the reverse is for leaner. Of course this was for automobile carbs. I would imagine it is the same for motos, but I could be wrong. Hope things are going well... Peace, Michael

[hotroadking]

In case you feel the need to read

Go to S&S Website at http://www.sscycle.com/iframes/instruction.php has all the installation and tuning manuals for free on the site. just download the instructions and print them out for your Super E

Here is the part about tuning the idle mix screw

2. Adjusting Carburetor
A. Adjusting Idle Circuit - Idle mixture screw regulates
air/fuel mixture at idle speeds and has been angled
forward for greater accessibility. See Picture 40.
Throttle stop/engine rpm adjustment screw is located on
boss on rear side of carburetor body. See Picture 41.
During assembly S&S® adjusts both screws to settings
that should work for first start-up after installation.

1. Start engine and run until slightly warm
(approximately 1 to 2 minutes).
2. Turn RPM adjustment screw to obtain idle of
approximately 1000 RPM.
3. Turn idle mixture screw clockwise, slowly leaning
mixture until engine starts to die. Next, turn screw
counterclockwise, slowly richening mixture, until
engine RPM fall off. Mixture adjustment is correct
when screw is positioned about halfway between
these points, or approximately 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 turn out from
lean side of adjustment range.

NOTE: Turning screw out (counterclockwise) makes idle mixture
richer. Turning screw in (clockwise) makes mixture leaner.
Normally, correctly adjusted screw will be between 11⁄4 and 13⁄4
turns out from bottom if intermediate jet size is correct. Note
that mixture screw must be adjusted according to Step 3 above.
Do not leave screw at initial 11⁄2 turn setting without fine tuning.
Picture 42