Have issues w stage-1/thunder jet kit on 87

I have an 87 XLH 1100 (anniversary) sportster and I changed over to using a CV carb from an 89 Harley (not sure of model). I replaced the intake to the newer one so it would just bolt-on with only having to change the choke cable and key switch mtg bracket to the newer one as well. Plus I had to put a piece of gas line around the large allen bolts holding the air cleaner on make it fit in the newer aircleaner, and cut a little of the sheathing away around the throttle cable.
Anyway my bike is stock except for aftermarket slip-on mufflers (which look almost identical to the orig duals) and a foam air-cleaner. I installed a THUNDER-JET kit and got the bike pretty close to running correctly but it still seems a TAD lean off idle and I am already running a #50 pilot jet ? The mixture screw needs to be out at least 3 turns to run the best but it seems like everything I read looks like most sporty CV set-ups are lower then a #50 pilot jet ? And I may actually need a #52. I started with a lower number and played with the mixture screw but it runs even better off idle as I go up in numbers on the pilot jet.
The thunderslide pin clip is set half way down (in the middle groove). The bike runs real good but "COUGHS" once in a while off idle.
Any help is appreciated. THX......ED.

Thanks Ken, I had noticed that most of what I have read on-line about Sportster CV carb tuning involved a smaller PILOT jet so I was wondering.
I figured before I go hunting for a problem maybe I should ask. I was also wondering if perhaps the carb is an odd size for sportsters since I was not sure what model Harley it was off of. Is there a way to tell ? What size carb would be correct the 40 mm ? The part number sticker is no longer on it but it used to say #####-89 I think.
Even in the jet kit that came with the Thunderslide it only went up to #48, I had to go out and BUY the #50.
Is there a way to tell if the slide is working properly and no leaks are in the diaphgram ?
I guess the only place a leak can be is at the intake right ?.......Ed.

intake manifold could be leaking or where the carb goes into the intake rubber gasket. most CV's that come stock on any HD are 40 mm with only some slight improvements over the next 15 years that they were used.
The thunder slide stuff is probably the biggest problem with your tuning. If you will take the time to read all that has been written about them on this site you'll see why. CV Performance has the stuff to make your bike run right for around $50.00. check out their web site.

Stage 1 Carb Tuner Kit

good luck and let us know how you are doing with the tuning.

I have a buddy who has offered me a carb off an 87 Sportster. If you need one, let me know and I will see if he will part with it yet.

Johnny:biker:

I may be wrong but I think an 87 carb is the butterfly type and not a CV, CV's came out in 1990, at least on the big twins.

Thanks Johnny, actually I also have the original (87) carb that came with it but decided to go with the newer CV carb since it was so much better and I knew it would be easy to adapt since they did not change much else when they starting using the CV carbs on sportsters. I appreciate it tho !....Ed.

Yeah I can see what you mean. I was looking up the CV and I discovered that the CV back then was a 34mm instead of the 40mm. You should be able to find a 40 or 44mm for fairly cheap.

here, check this link out. Should help.

http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_tr..._nkw=harley cv carb&_sacat=See-All-Categories

34mm ? Seriously ? I did not know that ! Is there a way to confirm that I have a 34mm (or 40) ? Would that explain needing a HUGE pilot jet ?
Is 34 too small for my bike ? THX.................Ed.