running lean?

Help? I just converted my 883 sportser to a 1200. Harley 1200 barrels and
screaming eagle pistons and rings.The engine starts right up and idles fine.
When I start off down the road it seems to be starving for gas.When I pull
the enrichner out it seems to run fine.The main jet is a 180 and the idle
jet is a 40.The needle jet has 3 washers on it(whats that about? Also the
air fuel mixture is out 3 turns. thanks, Bernie

883 Conversion

Yes, you are probably running lean. The idle jet should be at least a 45. Did you utilize the 883 head in stock configuration, or rework the combustion chamber? If you are using the stock heads the compression ratio will be fairly high due to the small combustion chamber on the head ( around 10.2:1). A good starting point for the mixture screw is 2 1/2 turns from seated. The spacers on the needle improve transition from pilot jet to main jet. I usually use 2 spacers under the needle on a 1200 sporty.

Sorry for the late reply,The reason for the lean symtoms was because I installed the needle jet in upside down. WHOOPS!!!!! Runs much better now.

thanks,Bernie

Ha!! That's a fairly common error. I did it on my 1200 and it ran so bad I don't think it would have made it to the end of the driveway. I'm surprised yours runs ok with a 40 slow jet. Mine came with a 42 and I swapped it for a 45.