Blood, sweat, tears & beers . . .

I thought I had. But I'm no genius when it comes to carbs. Tattoo has a used S&S for $200, but I won't see him until Tuesday. I've heard that the Super E is the way to go.

I've found some useful info on a couple Harley websites, but it is difficult sorting out what could be the problem with my current carb. HarleysLR, please send the info you have. Thanks!

Plugs are black, (but dry,thank God), after only running 5 or 6 minutes. That means the air/fuel mix is too rich. I must install a new set of plugs to test that out. I have the mixture screw turned out 1 full turn as recommended by the manual. I will turn it in a 1/4 turn and test with the new plugs.

There are a few other things I can try before committing to another carb. Another is taking it off and checking the jets to see if they are clean & adjusted correctly. But I still need information on adjustments for the butterfly carb.

After checking for leaks this morning, I discovered a small leak at the bottom of the rotor.:cussing: I just put a new seal in.:gah: Good news is that the oil pump works perfectly - no runs, no drips, no errors!

Joshbob,
I have a service manual for 85 to 89 FX/Softail models, it has info on the butterfly carb, I can scan it and send to you if you would like to have it. I"m getting ready to go riding and will be out all day and won't be able to do it until late tonight or sometime tomorrow. It's 12 pages long. I don't have any info on earlier models. Let me know.
You might check out this web site - 1977 Harley Davidson Motorcycle Parts, 1977 Harley Davidson Motorcycle OEM Parts - BikeBandit.com

I guess my knee is a little worse than I thought - it's gonna take more time to heal up. Gimpin' around like Chester Goode. Going into town Tuesday to see Tattoo and talk about carburators. He has an S&S with aircleaner for $200. It's like the one he has on his bike, a Super E, I think.

Well, boys, I made it to 68 today. Never thought I'd get this far down the road. I'm gonna chill and watch spaghetti westerns and eat spaghetti & meatballs and drink beer. Mac the Wife is at my beck & call today.

Have a Great Day!!

Good for you, have a great day. I vote Mac the Wife make that recipe you posted on another thread.

Thanks, everybody. Well, this morning reality bites! A little too much fun yesterday. I'm going in the shop this morning to try and start the beast - knee feels better - I'm not limping any more. Then, it's work at the academy till three. We have temps in the 70's for a few more days, then a cold front will move in. Sure would be nice to take the beast out for a maiden voyage, but I first have to get the carburator right. And the recurring oil leak at the crankshaft seal - well, screw it, it's gonna have to leak.

Right now it looks small, but you never know. Once it's up and running it could get worse. My dip stick is an eyeball observation - no stick on my cap! That's the kind of technology I like!

Yea, but if you get that carb, gotta go for a ride before it gets cold. You should have some good days off and on for a while...

Yup. Saw Tattoo today and he sold the S&S carb he had. Today I'm going to take the Keihin off once more and see what's going on inside - maybe the slow jet isn't screwed in all the way or maybe it's got some obstruction in it. This time I'll soak the whole thing in Gunk or some other solvent. Last time I sprayed carb cleaner into all the orifices and blew compressed air through them. Something could be in there gumming up the works.
HarleysLR - I found some additional info on the butterfly carb on another website and also on a Harley forum. Should have enough "ammo" to get it going right. This will be the 3rd time I've taken it apart.

PM me your email and I'll send what I have on the Carb.
File is to large to attach here.

Just as the ol' knee starts to get a little better, I wrenched my back yesterday loading and unloading the lawn mower - missed work yesterday and probably today also. Then on my way to pick up Mac at work, the automatic tranny in my truck died a horrible death. It's going to be towed to the shop today and we'll get a verdict soon, I hope. And, of course, my bike sits in my shop. I figure things can only go up from here!

Geeze....You gonna still look like that for Halloween??LOL....
Hope the Doc fixed you up...

Yikes! You look like ****, man. Heal up soon, buddy.

Took the carb off and recleaned it and the jets were okay. Float bowl within specs. Reassembled it and put it back on and started it up and - same old ****. It comes to life for 2 seconds and conks out. After that, it's impossible to start again until I wait a good while. Changed plugs, too. Took them back out and they were not wet or fouled. Put them back in and now I'm resting up for another assault this evening. Back hurts like hell but I'm a hard headed s.o.b. I don't get it, boys.

Anybody want to buy a shovelhead bobber? Just kidding . . .

Wow, how did you get that in your eyes... that must hurt like ****. Hope you get better quick.