"Thanks for watching! Got a non-running vintage Harley that's just collecting dust? Reach out to me by my email: olderharley@gmail.com I’d love to feature it in an upcoming video where we bring these beautiful machines back to life. Let's keep the spirit of vintage Harleys alive together! 🚀"
The reason those screws are always stripped on those carbs is because they're not phillips screws. They're JIS. It's very close to phillips but its actually slightly different. JIS is Japanese Industry Standard. Phillips will work, but its not a perfect fit and its easy to strip them out.
@@vintageharleysrevived If it's from Japan and has cross head screws, they are JIS. I use JIS drivers for Phillips head screws because JIS drivers are designed to hold under torque. While Phillips are actually designed to cam out when they hit torque limits. This is what causes them to wear out and strip screws.
My son did the carb conversion on a 1998 FI Road glide. Pulled all the injection junk off did the Chinese carb and a quality name brand electronic ignition system. The friggin bike fired right up and runs perfectly. Took it for a ride and we were in shock as it gained some HP and really woke the bike up. Definitely was a win all around. Still running great a year later in a month it's been the year since conversion. Hard to beat the price on these carbs and performance is there. Even if it was worn out every few years and needs a replacement. Who cares buy another Chinese carb and keep on going. But so far it's great and still is!
I just had a last contact me to do this very thing on a 2000 Ultra! I was thinking about doing a video on it. The bike has been sitting under a garage over hanging covered by a tarp for years. A little out of my wheel house, I think it will break my lift!! Would you be willing to share info with me , if I decide to do it?
@@vintageharleysrevived yes no problem. It's pretty darn easy to pull off. Don't even have to remove the computer. Everything still works on the bike this way. Lights ect. Just unplug the fuel injection harness and put the new ignition in and a new intake manifold and the carb. After all was done of course the red check engine light was on on the dash. Of course you removed all the stock ignition and injection stuff. But pop the dash up and remove the bulb for that. But yes any questions let me know. We can email if needed.
My Email is on my Channel Page, if you would reach out to me, just put "1998 FL Carb" in the Subject line. I will save your Email and reach out to you with any questions, thanks so much!!
Interesting. I resist Chinese stuff as it doesn't seem to last. Japanese, no problem. I try not to be a sucker for marketing too. It'll have you believe any old nonsense just to jack-up the price
I've had a Chinese carb on my lawn mower for 3yrs and have no issues. They wanted 119$ at the parts store for a new carb or I buy a Chinese carb for 12$. So I bought the Chinese one. And no issues. It's hard to believe but it's working.
Keihin carbs and Mikuni carbs are Japanese. as such, they were made with JIS screws. (Japanese Industrial Standard). They look like a phillips, but they are not. Honestly, I believe anything that looks like a phillips on any given bike is probably JIS. Invest in a set of JIS screwdrivers. You will be amazed at how well they lock in, almost like they were designed for it. It's even better if you get JIS drivers that were made in Japan.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts! It's always great to have fellow bike enthusiasts who understand the importance of using the right tools for the job. That said, I have had no issues removing the JIS screws with a crispy new chinese phillips! I think the new Chinese carb is just standard phillips too, lol!
I’ve been running a Mikuni HSR on my custom Evo. I recently purchased the $100 Mikuni Chinese clone from Amazon and I have no complaints. The $100 clone is better made, better looking, polished, brass fittings, full jet kit, gasket kit, filters, hose, cleaning kit. If you’re having any issues with your Mikuni or considering buying a rebuild kit, just buy the hundred dollar clone. At the very least you’ll have a fully functional carburetor with all the replacement parts brand new. I took my original and put it in the parts box. My bike has never run so smoothly with this new clone and ultimate ignition.
I have a 2006 Sport. It had an 833. I rebuilt the Harley carb and could never get rid of a flat spot. I put the hammer performance 1275 kit on the bike. They gave a jet configuration for the kit. The price on a jet kit was around $40.00. Amazon add came up for my carburetor. It said carburetor and jet kit $52.00 with tax. I look on youtube for a review and it had positive reviews. I bought and jetted it for 1275 kit. The bike runs perfect. I did run it on the 833 before I put the 1275 kit on and it got rid of the flat spot and ran perfect. I have about 1000 miles on it and still runs perfect. I put a choke relocation bracket on the carb and had problems. The aftermarket choke cable had short threads and would pull the fitting out of the carb with the tight loop for the relocation kit. Had few other ones and found one with more threads on carb fitting. Solved that problem. But putting that loop on the cable would pull enrichment valve off the seat and the bike was super rich. This took a lot of head scratching because I thought the chinese carb took a crap. I was ready to put the Harley carb back on. But it ran great until th choke relocation. Took the carb off and you can see the valve. When the cable was straight it opened and closed fine. When I put the loop in it the valve came off the seat. I tried a couple different cables same thing. I had to cut the cable sleeve back and that fixed the problem. Just putting that out there. I have a TH-cam Channel Back 9 Carburetors Great video
Thank you for the informative comment! There is a learning curve with these carbs and a lack of technical information. Sounds like you got it figured out! Be safe out there!
A few years ago, I fought and fought with what I thought were intake leaks on my 76 sportster only to eventually find out that it was the carburetor body itself that was giving me the run around. Never knew that was thing thing until then.
It is so true! I have fought with that myself and realized the body itself gets worn and leaks vacuum into the air/fuel mixture making it lean out. The sportsters are temperamental (I think) because they were Harley's performance bikes. Keep safe and Thanks for the great comment!!
don't forget the manifold rubber . . it gets porous when old and leaks air. Happens on all bikes. edit: The carbs usually leak air up the throttle shaft.
Thank you for the reminder! It’s easy to forget about those smaller components, but they really can make a huge difference in performance. Your insight is much appreciated!
Replaced my carb with an Amazon CV as a new carb was less than the rebuild kit. I did swap all the screws and had to file the boss where the cables mount so the Harley cable guide would fit. My 02 Bagger started right up and runs great! I do wish there was adjustment for the accel pump but a minor nit... totally great deal!
Thank you for sharing your experience with this carburetor! A good portion of the negative feedback I am hearing concerns these areas of fit and finish, QC, if you will. Ride Safe, Be Well!
Sad but true. They charge a lot for parts, apparel, accessories and yes motorcycles. A new Street glide is nearly 30k, I looked when I priced a new Carb. I suppose they charge what people will pay. Not me, but other people.
I put a Delorto pumper on my 1983 FXWG. After it's Body Cracked I put a Sudco Mikuni VM on it. The throttle cable was the same. I like the Mikuni, been good Carb.
Banged an absolute cheap Spanish made sissy bar on my softail years ago. It was matt black, outstanding and looked the part. Harley wanted several million for a chrome offering 😂
I have a 93 Softail, and my bike has same amount of miles as yours. My bike runs pretty good, but have been thinking I need a new carburetor. Always spitting, and popping. You bought this one on Amazon? Sounds great. Does it matter if it is stage 4 ? My bike came that way. I was thinking it was going to cost about a grand. Seems EVERYTHING is thousands. Ugh Glad I came across your channel Sir. We are probably about the same age too. 66 Be Safe Always Have an awesome day Sir.
I am glad you came across @vintageharleysrevived as well!! Stage 4 in 1993 means that it has: Pipes, high flow air cleaner, more cubic inches, cams and possibly a 42mm Screaming Eagle Keihin CV carb? I think you need to know that for sure, if it is a 40 and you replace it with an Amazon Carb the problem will be jets, you may not be able to get the jets large enough for that application. That would probably be as much as 200+ main. I am no expert on those engine upgrades but I think that is right. I would do thorough research before changing it, you do not want to get in a lean situation with that engine and cause damage to it. Verify you do not have an intake leak, vacuum line leak to the Vose system and the carb is sealing well at the rubber ring to the intake. These problems could be related to these issues. Good Luck and welcome to my Xhannel
Before you junk that old carb, check out the slide. The wings on each side of the slide will wear and deform. Especially in the venturi area. That will make it idle/ run shitty. I've never seen a CV kien carb I couldn't rebuild unless the casting was damaged.👍🍺
Agreed, and thank you for that info, upon further examination the body of the carb is worn where the butterfly shaft goes through body. I have not seen one worn like this before. I was intending to rebuild it and have it ready if this Chinese one fails. Thanks for the comment!
I bought one and didn’t realize it was a Chinese knock off so I installed it anyway and it’s been on for 2 years with no issues at all, I guess it’s a hit or miss
Came across your vid and was awesome to see you take the time to explain what needs to be done to those Chinese carbs and how they compare. I've got a 2005 softail deuce and the carb has been fine since I treat the gas and take the steps to winterize it properly but good to know if I ever needed a budget friendly option those will work. Liked and subbed! Cheers brother!
Thanks for the encouraging comment! I am glad you found it informative! Welcome to the VHR family. I am trying to publish 2 new videos a month on the 2nd and 4th Friday of each month. Keep the comments coming! Ride Safe on that Duece!
I have a 1979 FLH that I found in an abandoned house. That’s right, for free. After getting it home, I found out that the probable cause of the bike only having 3200 miles on the odometer (and the original tires, in fantastic condition!) was the fact that the starter crapped out, probably right after the 90 day warranty expired. Rather than fix it, the original owner just walked away from it. So, I put an $89 starter (from Amazon, of course) on it, and it fired up and ran but it never ran very well. I’ve cleaned and rebuilt the carb several times, with new jets and gaskets, but it just does not want to run, and the more I run it, the worse it gets. And no, there is absolutely no rust in the tanks, and the fuel shut off is clean. The original owner drained all the fluids before walking away from the bike. Anyway, I’m gonna try a cheapo Amazon carb and see how it works… I’ll let you know. In the meantime, does anybody have a decent clutch basket for a 79 Shovelhead? Mine is missing a tooth from the starter ring gear.
That is one of those "Wow" finds for certain!! I do not have a clutch basket for a shovel on hand. I haven't heard great things about the Knock Off S&S carb that Amazon has. Just FYI. I just put a CV carb on an Ironhead, It was a trick, but it runs great! That video goes up Sept 27 @4:45pm. It would be the same conversion to a shovel! Good Luck and thank you for reaching out! What a find you have Wow!
I've been running super B's on Harleys since the seventies, put an accelerator float bowl on my 88 STD panhead, much better acceleration and overall performance, no flat spots.
They are both proven performers. I have worked on both Brands and several models as well. I have an S&S on a 1966 Ironhead. They do take an independent process to arrive at a proper adjustment. I continue to have good performances with this knock off CV Carb. Thanks for the comment!
Been running a Chinese carb on 98 fxdl. $65 with jets delivered to my house. Removed bowl screws while jetting with stainless allens. Runs fantastic, the inner machine works in carb was very good. 3 years, $65 bucks runs fantastic. I'd do it. And remember a cv40 has no replacement seat for needle and carb kit is $45 with no new needle. It's a cheap gamble at worst. And IMHO a win.
It is good to hear of the longevity you have seen on this carb. Stainless allens are a great long term upgrade and IMHO I think it is worth the gamble as well! Thanks for the comment! Ride Safe, Be Well!
It is a great idea! I don't have trouble with the JIS screws, but other people seem to!! I have seen a lot of them stripped out for sure!!! Thanks for the comment! Ride Safe, Be Well!
If at all possible replace the float bowl, the throttle pump! And the screws at the top of the carb! With allen head screws! Keep The Rubber Side Down Brothers!
My good brother put a Chinese S&S on his UL flatty. $55 and he figures if it craps out every 3 years he can replace it over 8 times for the price of an S&S. The bike runs great! I would have kept the M51 Linkert myself.
It's awesome that your brother found a budget-friendly solution that works for him! The UL flatty must be running smoothly-He can keep the Linkert on the shelf for a future return to the original! Thanks for the Comment!
S&S carburetors usually don't wear out because I have one on my old Evo that's been on this bike for 30 years . The car club I am in we have a sprint dirt track mini that's got a Buell 1,200 that's modified and it uses a S&S Super G carburetor with the thunder jet system on it and that carburetor is worn out because of the dust that gets into it even though it runs the air filter plus the throttle is set up for a foot feed gas pedal and being this is run on a short track with the throttle constantly being on & off the throttle plate bushings wore out so the throttle plate doesn't return like it should . These carburetors were never designed for a foot feed throttle because with the constant off on by using your foot that has a much more pressure being put on the throttle it's going to wear out much faster than just being turned by hand . The original keihn carb on my evo I started having accelerator pump problems and the idle mix screw kept moving falling out of tube plus the intake manifold seals would get brittle and cause vacuum leaks and with the S&S these intakes use a aluminum & rubber bonded intake manifold seals that won't leak because they actually fit partially inside the intake ports which eliminates intake leaks .
I would like to add that S&S used to be made in Kenosha Wisconsin but have moved to Lacrosse Wisconsin where they still build the carburetors & the new fuel injection systems for HD along with the engines they build so at least they are still being made here in the USA and not in Chinesium land !
@@peteloomis8456 Yeah, I run S&S on a 84 FXR bar hopper. I'm waiting to see how long the China version lasts on my Brothers UL. You want to buy American but it's so expensive!
They are and have been quality go to Harley replacements for years, worked on a lot of them, have one on my 66 XLCH. Thanks for the great comment and great info!!
That has been my experience with the Mikuni Flatslides as well. They give the performance, more air and MORE fuel! They sure awaken a sleepy EVO motor! Stay safe out there!! Thanks for the comment!
Installed a Super E knockoff on my Panhead three years ago. I bought three different brands from Amazon and kept the best one. Two of the carbs had no holes in the main jet nozzle. The finish was the same on all three. The carb I kept has a polished finish and no manufacturers markings on the body. Looked good to me. All the hardware and internal parts interchange with a factory S&S carb although the threaded holes for the float bowl seemed a little looser on the clone. I installed extended bowl screws from Vtwin Mfg. anyway. The enrichment device required a metric wrench also. Easy to dial in like a real S&S. Bike starts and runs fine. Make sure to check your float bowl height. I run one throttle cable, the return spring is plenty stiff. Before installing, fill the bowl with gas to make sure the accelerator pump is working. S&S carb $400. Clone about $60. Ultima makes the same carb for$200, but It’s a clone with their logo.
That is all great information and I really appreciate the thorough advice!! S&S carbs are a thing of their own & I have worked on a bunch! There are still a range of quality coming out of different manufacturing plants in China. Thank you for the comment!!
Hello, nice video. I did the same with my harley-davidson night train 2002, it didn't run well. I bought a Chinese car. And use it for two months now and it s so much more fun to ride with the Harley it rus like a dream. Just the same experience as you have, that's why you're video got my attention in the first place. I whis you a lot of nice and fun miles with the new upgrade. 👍🏼
Thank you! Your right it is light, but mine was already light already as I eliminated the return cable as I customized it. I will post an update video in a year or when it fails!! Ride safe and keep the rubber side down!! More to come!!
This was a great review. I’m always weary of Amazon parts. Also I’ve had a lot of hit or miss. Carbs being one of them. I’ve gotten ones from Japan sellers that say they fit and are too small inlets or the float bowel is to shallow and keeps the float up. Like the honesty. It runs good for now, time will tell. Please do a yearly follow up.
Thank you for the honest and kind critique! I am planning a 1 year follow up after winter storage and the next summer season. It will be sooner if it has a failure. Thanks for the great comment!
I have had the same experience and have heard from many with similar stories. Probably QC issues and differences from factory to factory? Thanks for the comment!
Thanks I also put an Cheap 40 $ amazon carb on my 2000 1200 Sportster back 6 - 7 mo ago & guess what ? > it worked Great still running Strong all Summer
I hate to say it but (some) Chinese tools are pretty good. I just threw out a 20 year old, $20 variable speed hammer drill I abused every time I used it and I guess it probably just needed brushes.
I have had the same experience. The quality, maybe not accross the board, but in quite a few intances is coming up. Thanks for the Comment! Stay Safe, Be Well!
I got me an Amazon CV40 carb, $40 bucks. I just replaced mine with all my old OEM CV40 carb parts plus a fresh rebuild kit… and this sucker has my bike running great I’m not even kidding it seems better than OEM.
Knowing Hardley, or just about all motorcycle dealers as most of their factories are there now, it's most probably the same but with the Hardley tax added.
I guess you are right, it is both sad that the factory parts cost so much and we are using these Chinese made carbs instead. Yet, happy that it works and it is an inexpensive fix. Thanks for the comment!
The amount of times I’ve seen people with evos change carbs, foul plugs and constantly chase tune issues with only minor improvements. I always go igntion first and 99% it solves the issue A twin tec kit changes the whole personality of a evo.
It does, that is for sure, I think it is a lot hotter unit, isn't it? I haven't had ignition issues, this bike was rode a lot early in its life and then sat for quite a while. The body of this carb has play in the butterfly shaft and CV Slide. That is the result of 70k with little maintenance on the fuel system or care for the type of fuel, I think. Thanks for the comment! Stay safe!
I would buy the Dynatech 2000 programmable ignition module & the coils they recommend & a new pickup coil in the timing tower because with these ignitions you have much more tunability with them for the ignition. They even have a wire harness you can buy to links up to a laptop and you can get on their website and find your bike that is running the same carburetor pipes and ignition that's been dyno tuned & you can load those timing specs into the module then jet the carburetor accordingly to get your tune spot on or at least very close which saves you time and money not having to bring the bike in to have it dyno tuned. I like the module that bolts to the frame rather than the complete ignition that fits in the timing tower because heat can cause electronics to fail so I've been staying with the modules that bolts to the frame and they've worked very good . The other thing I like about them is you have the option to eliminate the V.O.E.S vacuum operated electric switch that is what actually was used for the stock ignition to advance the timing & with the Dynatech you can eliminate this which frees up some space & you can custom tune your timing advance on how early or late you need it or how fast or slow you want the timing to come in or out . Personally for me I always try to run as much advance as possible & have the advance come in as fast as the engine will allow for max performance.
I've used that same carb . it's actually very good. I like your channel but you could tone the music down. I watch for ideas not the music. But 👍over all😊
Thank you so much for the helpful comment. Going forward I am certainly going to do exactly that. But I have just as many people who love the music, so we'll have to find a middle ground. Thank you!
I used to buy these but with a flange that bolted directly to shovels and ironheads, and they worked great!, but cant find them with the flange anymore, if anyone knows where I can find them please let me know!
I have not been able to buy them with that flange either. I have found the adapter with rubber bushing, how to mount it solid is an issue. I will look into that for a future video with the "Bad News" 1985 Sportster!! Thanks for the great comment!!
I did the same thing you did for my 96 glide. Even the same size jets. Although the Chinese choke sucks .once the bike is warmed up ,it idles perfect and runs nice. In my case it might be the vose going bad on the warm up.but otherwise ,my evo keeps chugging along
That is so great to hear! I am glad you have had such good luck! It is warm here now, we will see about the choke in another month or so!! Thanks for the awesome comment!
Great vid. Those Amazon carbs are all Metric, the Harley Keihins are standard thread. I had to tap my carb for the air filter to mount. Also the jets don’t interchange. Keep those new jets and mark what they fit. I have YET to find one of those Amazon carbs with the cruise control. Which sucks as I want mine to have it. Great vid, thanks for sharing. Be well!
I went 'old school' on a 2012 8v1200 roller cam Moto Guzzi Norge. The Ecu had been reprogrammed . A lot of stock pieces already removed by previous owners. $ to stock parts $$$. Pulled throttle bodies and made 2 into one intake manifold with a used/ unknown Kehien 40 mm CV. IT WORKSD WELL EXCEPT IDLE. Will replace with Chinese. I want to TRY two CV and compare. This is more of a race engine . I don't use the top end 7500 so loss of hp will be traded for midrange/ mpg. This is just heads -up if we can share info if you're interested? I used a junkyard SU carb off an Austin Healy 3000 to run a SB 283 Chevy in a 60 Dodge truck. Thanks.
Is the idle issue possibly that the single carb throat is not large enough to flow the necessary air/fuel mixture with the low vacuum at idle? Then as you increase engine RPM the increase in vacuum pulls hard enough to smooth out? Just a thought.....two may be a solution, if this is the case. It sounds like you are doing some really interesting/creative stuff. When I get home and on my computer I will check out your Channel. Who knows, we can surely share info! Thanks for the comment! TTYL
The only issue ive had one carb the emulsion tube didn't seat all the way .grond down were the main jet screws in ,now the main jet pushing tube all the way up and sealing
Love the video very informative. The music is mixed in a little bit too loud whenever the music is playing by itself I have to turn it down cuz it's blasting
Hey man, loved the video and hope the carby lasts. One question: what band is playing the music on your vid cos I wanna hear more. Thanks for doing what you do.
I hope it lasts as well! On the music. I subscribe to a Music Service called Epidemic Sound for copyright free music for my videos. They have a host of independent creators that get paid when their music is used. www.epidemicsound.com/track/LpyfjvXctq/ the creator is called "Rockin' for Decades" the song is called"Back to Black" that I open with. I dont know if you can listen to it without a subscription. It sounds like 80s AC/DC doesnt it? Thank you for the great comment!
I did the same thing to 98 softail. I’m Canadian everything is million dollars new or used. To buy used cv on eBay $400 plus shipping and brokerage fees Harley dealer $1100 plus tax Fuc& me Bought one on Amazon $75 free shipping Changed out the Jett’s Engine started ran idled that was in June of this year and still running strong I still laughing at how amazing even if it shits the today it’s worth another Cool I just subscribed I’ll keep in tune to your channel Stay safe.
Wow!! I thought $709 was wayyyy too much from the American Harley Dealer! They sure do think A LOT of their parts!!! It is great to hear of a similar experience, on a similar bike! I will do a follow up on this maybe in a year or if it fails. Thanks for Subscribing!! Stay safe in Canada and Keep the rubber side down!!!
On the same note, I've got Amazon carbs I couldn't get dialed in to save my life and ive done over a 100 so it's definitely a roll of the dice unfortunately.
I tried the $50 Amazon Super E knock off. Was hoping it worked like the $500 S&S. Couldn't get it to idle correctly. Came with a bag of jets without any numbering. Half of Amazon reviews reported the same. Was hoping I'd be lucky. Nope.
@@vintageharleysrevived I am sending back some Chinese shaver blades. They showed them in a Norelco Box. It's a Walmart seller. They are junk they just pull on your whiskers $14.99 Genuine Norelco are $20.99 .. and far better.
Great video a lot of good information......But please turn off the music when you are talking its very distracting. Also, would rather hear the bike running without the music.
In my experience as an auto technician....its not a question of of wether or not something made in china will work....if it is isnt bad right out outta the box,but how long it will last.....nothing made over there ever lasts.
I honestly feel the EVOs, both Sportsters and Big Twins, are the last engine The Motor Company (HD) made that have an unbroken connection (design wise) to the origins of Harley Davidson. An Evo is a great choice for several reasons. Easy to work on, Parts availability, the "Harley" sound, they are relatively inexpensive and they are increasing in value as they age. Good Choice and good luck!! Ride Safe, Be Well!!
Thank you for the kind compliment, the stock paint is starting to grow on me. Lots of work to get it's profile looking correct. A boxful of parts removed!!!
Thank you for the complimentary comment!! It has been a ton of work and hours to get it to sit like that!! The Softail Custom is a beautiful platform for Customization! Stay Safe and Be Well!!
Man you sure are right about that, they are finicky about the float level! It was correct, the problem was likely the worn CV slides and the shaft on the Butterfly in the body of the Carb. So far so good on the Chinese Knock off! Thanks for the comment!
I'm surprised as my experience as a MC mechanic is the opposite of yours. Crap Chinese carbs were not allowed in the shop as they just open pandoras box and even if you did get them to run OK they wore out almost instantly. The "FCR" copy is particularly horrible as it is a very complicated carb with lots of circuits. I highly recommend against these carbs unless maybe for a lawn mower or generator. My opinion only.
I think your opinion is a valid one. My experience as a Veteran diesel mechanic was similar. Chinese injectors were the worst and not allowed, def Pandora's box for complicated parts causing other issues. BUT...IMHO The last few years has seen a change in the quality of many "Off Shore" manufacturers, just like we saw with the Japanese in the 60s,70s, and 80s. Now their goods set a standard, where once they were just Cheap Junk! That said, the project was to install and test this carb to see if it could hold up. If it fails I will return to a "Japanese" rebuilt Keihin from my personal stock. I will ride it a year and come back with a follow up on longevity. Thank you for the thoughtful comment and sharing your experience! Be Well!
I'm there with you. The jets are supposed to be interchangeable but who knows if the orifices are consistent. The castings are junk and slides have a horrible finish.
Keihin ... Japanese. It used to be that Japanese goods were considered 'crap' in the 1960's. The fact is that c.70% of the price of any manufactured goods is created by the labour costs. Not the quality, not the steel nor alloy price .... _Labour._ That is why a Chinese bike today is 'cheap' and a Austrian bike incredibly expensive ... Labour costs. These carburettors, no difference. Labour costs. P S .... I used to own a major marque motorcycle dealership ... Ergo, my comment is not conjecture.
That is so on the money!! From a source that KNOWS! Understanding things for what they really are, that is where freedom of mind is based! Thank You So much for your informed Comment!! Live well and prosper, my friend!!
@@vintageharleysrevived ... My pleasure. Whilst it has always been my suspicion, I had this confirmed for myself on a dealer tour of a KTM Factory in the 1990's with a friend of mine who was a major KTM dealer. We asked why KTM bikes were so nose bleed expensive ... That was the answer. Austria has one of the highest basic wages in the EU. Today the average Austrian salary is c.€58,000 a year. Austria has the best quality of life in the EU. The EU does not have vast poverty. Myself I reside in N Europe, the happiest area of the planet 🙂 All good fortune to you and your channel.
Thank you for more good info!! My wife is 1 generation out of Sweden, blonde hair and blue eyes, she is always happy, maybe it is the people as well as the place that makes them happy!! Thanks again and be well!!
My experience with Chinese carbs on ATVs is most of the people who complain about the carbs are the same people who don’t put in the right jets ( same as the original) and don’t set the mixture. They expect it to be a perfect match right out of the box.
You are so right, even the high dollar carbs need to be jetted correctly. Takes a little trial and error but it isn't rocket science! Lol! Thanks for the comment!!
Nope. I was trying to purchase a keihin and sudco had gone out of business so i was forced find a genuine one from the internet. Found one and paid almost the correct price, even had qc paint marks. It was obvious once it arrived it wasn't real. The quality of the slide and a few other things made me return it. Maybe its hard to spot for most but there's no way i would a Chinese carb for safety and reliability issues
Copy that my man, we all have choices to make and you have made yours. I wasn't trying to get you to use a Chinese Carb, just kind of running a test for reliability and durability. I will be back with a follow up on the long term results. Take Care and thanks for the comment!
Yea it seems the bigger the bike, the more expensive everything is but ive done it before i had a honda shadow, the accuation arm broke on the carb so i had to replace it with an aftermarket carb it cost significantly less than Stock but it was worth it for only 75 bucks
Is there a diaphragm under the black cap on the top of that carb? If there is, I'll bet that's the problem. My 74 Honda CB 550 four had diaphragm carbs and that was the problem with those carbs. I replaced them with the CB 750 four slide carbs. Made it into a screamer.
Yes, there is a diaphragm under the black cap. Your Carbs are probably Keihin Carbs as well. I replaced it, quite some time ago, even tho' it seemed to be fine and it didn't help. The body of this carb is worn in the butterfly shaft and the CV slide. I have not seen one worn like this, the bike has 70k on it, but I have seen them go longer, like 100K +. ??? Thanks for the great input and suggestion! Ride Safe, Be Well!
your video is cool and very depressing at the same time, what i wouldn't give to find a pair of cheaper cv carbs for my honda v-twin, the 34mm Keihin's that are on it are a pain in the azz. they run rich then they don't then they do again. the bike will be running fine and without me touching anything it will suddenly popping, backfiring and not wanting to run, check the plugs and sometimes they are soaked rich and other times they are pure white lean, i'll pull apart the carbs, run carb cleaner and air through all the circuits, find all of them open and clear, recheck the float level just for the heck of it, throw them back together without changing anything and the bike will run fine again for a month or 2 then i got to go through it all again so yeah, wished i could find some cheap carbs like that which would fit my bike, besides the larger size and you just having a single carb, the other big difference is the cv carbs on my bike don't have accelerator pumps which is something i've never understood, why some cv carbs have accelerator pumps and some don't, if anyone knows of any knock-off carbs that in my size a point in that direction would be greatly appreciated, great video, i'm jealous........
Thank you for the kind encouragement! I believe in1988 the first year of the CV carb on Harleys it did not have an accelerator pump. They changed that in a hurry and then kept basically the same carb until they phased them out in 2006 for fuel injection. There is a big demand for them because they do cause issues, especially after winter storage. Hopefully you can find some reliable option! Good Luck and thanks for the great comment!!
Japanese carbs use JIS screwdrivers. A JIS screwdriver will fit a Philips, not the reverse. Cheap ones are available, but Vessel are the absolute best and you will buy once
I put the link in the video description for the carb I used, also the choke Cable and Idle/Air Mixture Screw. All there in the description. Good luck!!!
I have a 2003 lowrider with 101,713 miles never had the carb off, dealer I bought it from in 2014 with 13K on it replaced the throttle cables and I just replaced the choke cable. vintage cause of the carb as no one knows what they are anymore
100K hell yes! Got to love a Dyna!! You sure are right, very few know much about Carbs these days and having a Carb makes people not want them! Which is great for me, cause I love them!! If I dont smell like gas and oil after riding it must have run out of gas and oil!!! Be Safe out there!!!
Well, maybe, if I had JIS impact bits , it might work. I have a pretty decent process that works. I don't strip them out but I sure find them that way! Thanks for the comment!
I tried a Chinese S&S Super E clone, cost less than $100 bucks, worked pretty good till i let it sit a few months. Fuckin thing wouldn't even start. Getting no fuel. So now i gotta dig in and see what the problem is or buy this Ultima S&S clone im looking at. It cost about $300 bucks, but appears to be a better piece.
It probably is, where is the Ultima Clone made? Korea maybe? It is all about the quality control in each factory. You would think for $300 it would be better. How much is the actual S&S?
@@vintageharleysrevived S&S Super E pretty damn expensive these days, around $500 bucks or so, rebuilt old ones are around $400 bucks. That Ultima also has a few performance improvements over the original type Es. It's about half price to the S&S Super E, so I figure I'll probably try one out. I think fuel corrosion fucked up the Chinese Super E I tried. Alcohol in today's shitty fuel eat it up. Pisses me off. But it did run good till I let it sit. The unit is an old early 70s Ironhead rigid drag bike, so I can't ride it much anyway. It's pretty rowdy and difficult to ride. It's 1970s cool tho. It's a custom build from the mid 70s. Sat in my living room for over 20yrs.
I would love to see pictures of that bike. If you can send them to my email listed on my channel that would be awesome! There is a lot to navigate with all these carbs options. I hope you get it figured out and find a workable option.
@@vintageharleysrevived I have a few videos of it on my channel, they are a year or 2 old. I just got it running after sitting 10-15 years on the videos. Probably 4-5 short videos of it. It's loud as hell. Big CRANE cams, 12-1 compression, big bore JMS jugs, forged Wiseco pistons, Merchant connecting rods, lightened flywheels, big stainless valves, double valvesprings and ported heads and short drag pipes about 18 inch long. Etc. Nothing on it that it don't need to run. Have a old school bias ply looking tire on it for the street, another wheel with a old M&H slick on it. It runs mid 7s at around 90mph in the 8th mile.
"Thanks for watching! Got a non-running vintage Harley that's just collecting dust? Reach out to me by my email: olderharley@gmail.com I’d love to feature it in an upcoming video where we bring these beautiful machines back to life. Let's keep the spirit of vintage Harleys alive together! 🚀"
I've got a 63 Panhead bottom with 66 shovel top on the original 63 swing arm frame. What is your VHS Email address ?
VHR
You are arming the enemy.😢
@@timothyhannifin6291not going to buy much ammo for $43
Why not just rebuild the stock one with CV Performance parts, that's what I did.
The reason those screws are always stripped on those carbs is because they're not phillips screws. They're JIS. It's very close to phillips but its actually slightly different. JIS is Japanese Industry Standard. Phillips will work, but its not a perfect fit and its easy to strip them out.
Cool piece of tech knowledge! Thanks for that!!
So, it is like the British Standard? Something exclusive to Japan? A hold over from the isolation of WW2? Just thinking out loud here....
@@vintageharleysrevived If it's from Japan and has cross head screws, they are JIS. I use JIS drivers for Phillips head screws because JIS drivers are designed to hold under torque. While Phillips are actually designed to cam out when they hit torque limits. This is what causes them to wear out and strip screws.
I will put that in my toolbox of knowledge! Thank you so much for the informative comment!! @@old_shupshe
Even with the JIS screwdriver, the bowl screws are insanely tight, and the screws are soft.
My son did the carb conversion on a 1998 FI Road glide. Pulled all the injection junk off did the Chinese carb and a quality name brand electronic ignition system. The friggin bike fired right up and runs perfectly. Took it for a ride and we were in shock as it gained some HP and really woke the bike up. Definitely was a win all around. Still running great a year later in a month it's been the year since conversion. Hard to beat the price on these carbs and performance is there. Even if it was worn out every few years and needs a replacement. Who cares buy another Chinese carb and keep on going. But so far it's great and still is!
I just had a last contact me to do this very thing on a 2000 Ultra! I was thinking about doing a video on it. The bike has been sitting under a garage over hanging covered by a tarp for years. A little out of my wheel house, I think it will break my lift!! Would you be willing to share info with me , if I decide to do it?
@@vintageharleysrevived yes no problem. It's pretty darn easy to pull off. Don't even have to remove the computer. Everything still works on the bike this way. Lights ect. Just unplug the fuel injection harness and put the new ignition in and a new intake manifold and the carb. After all was done of course the red check engine light was on on the dash. Of course you removed all the stock ignition and injection stuff. But pop the dash up and remove the bulb for that. But yes any questions let me know. We can email if needed.
My Email is on my Channel Page, if you would reach out to me, just put "1998 FL Carb" in the Subject line. I will save your Email and reach out to you with any questions, thanks so much!!
Absolutely! It doesn't need to say mo-co to be good, they import alot of their parts anyway.
Interesting. I resist Chinese stuff as it doesn't seem to last. Japanese, no problem. I try not to be a sucker for marketing too. It'll have you believe any old nonsense just to jack-up the price
I've had a Chinese carb on my lawn mower for 3yrs and have no issues. They wanted 119$ at the parts store for a new carb or I buy a Chinese carb for 12$. So I bought the Chinese one. And no issues. It's hard to believe but it's working.
The manufacturing quality of these has certainly come a long way. Thanks for the comment!!!
Same here. Chinese carb on my old Honda mower and runs perfect.
I did the same with a fuel pump on my bike, bought a cheap Chinese knock off from Scamazon. 4 years later it still runs flawless.
I used a knockoff carb on my American da100 model plane motor.
Runs perfect and 6 times cheaper.
Been in use 5 yrs so far
Fitted £8 Chinese carb on genny ,they even copied the Made in Japan cast on carb body !
I always replace the bowl screws with Allen head screws or hex head screws.
That solves an ongoing problem for good 👍
Allen is the way to go, you will never strip those, unless you mix up metric and SAE
Thats what I did also.
Keihin carbs and Mikuni carbs are Japanese. as such, they were made with JIS screws. (Japanese Industrial Standard).
They look like a phillips, but they are not.
Honestly, I believe anything that looks like a phillips on any given bike is probably JIS.
Invest in a set of JIS screwdrivers. You will be amazed at how well they lock in, almost like they were designed for it. It's even better if you get JIS drivers that were made in Japan.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts! It's always great to have fellow bike enthusiasts who understand the importance of using the right tools for the job. That said, I have had no issues removing the JIS screws with a crispy new chinese phillips! I think the new Chinese carb is just standard phillips too, lol!
yeh but is that relevant ?? i thought hd was mainly made in taiwan ??
I’ve been running a Mikuni HSR on my custom Evo. I recently purchased the $100 Mikuni Chinese clone from Amazon and I have no complaints. The $100 clone is better made, better looking, polished, brass fittings, full jet kit, gasket kit, filters, hose, cleaning kit. If you’re having any issues with your Mikuni or considering buying a rebuild kit, just buy the hundred dollar clone. At the very least you’ll have a fully functional carburetor with all the replacement parts brand new. I took my original and put it in the parts box. My bike has never run so smoothly with this new clone and ultimate ignition.
That is certainly my experience as well with the Keihin. Thank you for chiming in with that great info!!
Tell us about the ignition please
Yup. Put an Amazon carb ($60) on my 1200 Sporty. Runs like a champ.
I know the feeling!!
I have a 2006 Sport. It had an 833. I rebuilt the Harley carb and could never get rid of a flat spot. I put the hammer performance 1275 kit on the bike. They gave a jet configuration for the kit. The price on a jet kit was around $40.00. Amazon add came up for my carburetor. It said carburetor and jet kit $52.00 with tax. I look on youtube for a review and it had positive reviews. I bought and jetted it for 1275 kit. The bike runs perfect. I did run it on the 833 before I put the 1275 kit on and it got rid of the flat spot and ran perfect. I have about 1000 miles on it and still runs perfect. I put a choke relocation bracket on the carb and had problems. The aftermarket choke cable had short threads and would pull the fitting out of the carb with the tight loop for the relocation kit. Had few other ones and found one with more threads on carb fitting. Solved that problem. But putting that loop on the cable would pull enrichment valve off the seat and the bike was super rich. This took a lot of head scratching because I thought the chinese carb took a crap. I was ready to put the Harley carb back on. But it ran great until th choke relocation. Took the carb off and you can see the valve. When the cable was straight it opened and closed fine. When I put the loop in it the valve came off the seat. I tried a couple different cables same thing. I had to cut the cable sleeve back and that fixed the problem. Just putting that out there. I have a TH-cam Channel Back 9 Carburetors
Great video
Thank you for the informative comment! There is a learning curve with these carbs and a lack of technical information. Sounds like you got it figured out! Be safe out there!
A few years ago, I fought and fought with what I thought were intake leaks on my 76 sportster only to eventually find out that it was the carburetor body itself that was giving me the run around. Never knew that was thing thing until then.
It is so true! I have fought with that myself and realized the body itself gets worn and leaks vacuum into the air/fuel mixture making it lean out. The sportsters are temperamental (I think) because they were Harley's performance bikes. Keep safe and Thanks for the great comment!!
don't forget the manifold rubber . . it gets porous when old and leaks air. Happens on all bikes. edit: The carbs usually leak air up the throttle shaft.
Thank you for the reminder! It’s easy to forget about those smaller components, but they really can make a huge difference in performance. Your insight is much appreciated!
Replaced the CV carb on my 2003 Lowrider with a $120 Mikuni,woke it up and had a hell of an acceleration when you twisted the throttle.
Mikuni is always a great choice! The Hillclimbers from this area alll used Mikuni because of the quick throttle response! Thank you for the comment!!
Replaced my carb with an Amazon CV as a new carb was less than the rebuild kit. I did swap all the screws and had to file the boss where the cables mount so the Harley cable guide would fit. My 02 Bagger started right up and runs great! I do wish there was adjustment for the accel pump but a minor nit... totally great deal!
Thank you for sharing your experience with this carburetor! A good portion of the negative feedback I am hearing concerns these areas of fit and finish, QC, if you will. Ride Safe, Be Well!
Once I had a 1980 Sportster. The Keihin carb was junk so i replaced it with a Mikuni flat slide and made a WORLD of difference. I swear by Mikuni's.
Best illustration yet how badly HD rips off customers.
Sad but true. They charge a lot for parts, apparel, accessories and yes motorcycles. A new Street glide is nearly 30k, I looked when I priced a new Carb. I suppose they charge what people will pay. Not me, but other people.
Sad. Way too much markup.
Even if it only lasts a few years at the price you are way ahead of the game.
I agree, it continues to perform beyond my expectations! Thanks for the comment!
I put a Delorto pumper on my 1983 FXWG. After it's Body Cracked I put a Sudco Mikuni VM on it. The throttle cable was the same. I like the Mikuni, been good Carb.
The Mikuni Carbs I have experienced with have been top drawer as well! Thanks for the informative comment!
Banged an absolute cheap Spanish made sissy bar on my softail years ago. It was matt black, outstanding and looked the part. Harley wanted several million for a chrome offering 😂
I know you are right! Probably.made in some poor Asian country somewhere!! Thanks for the comment!!
I have a 93 Softail, and my bike has same amount of miles as yours. My bike runs pretty good, but have been thinking I need a new carburetor. Always spitting, and popping. You bought this one on Amazon? Sounds great. Does it matter if it is stage 4 ? My bike came that way. I was thinking it was going to cost about a grand. Seems EVERYTHING is thousands. Ugh
Glad I came across your channel Sir. We are probably about the same age too. 66
Be Safe Always
Have an awesome day Sir.
I am glad you came across @vintageharleysrevived as well!! Stage 4 in 1993 means that it has: Pipes, high flow air cleaner, more cubic inches, cams and possibly a 42mm Screaming Eagle Keihin CV carb? I think you need to know that for sure, if it is a 40 and you replace it with an Amazon Carb the problem will be jets, you may not be able to get the jets large enough for that application. That would probably be as much as 200+ main. I am no expert on those engine upgrades but I think that is right. I would do thorough research before changing it, you do not want to get in a lean situation with that engine and cause damage to it. Verify you do not have an intake leak, vacuum line leak to the Vose system and the carb is sealing well at the rubber ring to the intake. These problems could be related to these issues. Good Luck and welcome to my Xhannel
Before you junk that old carb, check out the slide. The wings on each side of the slide will wear and deform. Especially in the venturi area. That will make it idle/ run shitty. I've never seen a CV kien carb I couldn't rebuild unless the casting was damaged.👍🍺
Agreed, and thank you for that info, upon further examination the body of the carb is worn where the butterfly shaft goes through body. I have not seen one worn like this before. I was intending to rebuild it and have it ready if this Chinese one fails. Thanks for the comment!
Thank you for the encouragement from Germany!! I will try my best to post again every Friday morning! Be good to yourself in Germany!! Best wishes!
I bought one and didn’t realize it was a Chinese knock off so I installed it anyway and it’s been on for 2 years with no issues at all, I guess it’s a hit or miss
That's wild! Sometimes those cheapies surprise you, huh? Two years and still kicking is a win in my book!
Came across your vid and was awesome to see you take the time to explain what needs to be done to those Chinese carbs and how they compare. I've got a 2005 softail deuce and the carb has been fine since I treat the gas and take the steps to winterize it properly but good to know if I ever needed a budget friendly option those will work. Liked and subbed! Cheers brother!
Thanks for the encouraging comment! I am glad you found it informative! Welcome to the VHR family. I am trying to publish 2 new videos a month on the 2nd and 4th Friday of each month. Keep the comments coming! Ride Safe on that Duece!
I have a 1979 FLH that I found in an abandoned house. That’s right, for free. After getting it home, I found out that the probable cause of the bike only having 3200 miles on the odometer (and the original tires, in fantastic condition!) was the fact that the starter crapped out, probably right after the 90 day warranty expired. Rather than fix it, the original owner just walked away from it. So, I put an $89 starter (from Amazon, of course) on it, and it fired up and ran but it never ran very well. I’ve cleaned and rebuilt the carb several times, with new jets and gaskets, but it just does not want to run, and the more I run it, the worse it gets. And no, there is absolutely no rust in the tanks, and the fuel shut off is clean. The original owner drained all the fluids before walking away from the bike. Anyway, I’m gonna try a cheapo Amazon carb and see how it works… I’ll let you know. In the meantime, does anybody have a decent clutch basket for a 79 Shovelhead? Mine is missing a tooth from the starter ring gear.
That is one of those "Wow" finds for certain!! I do not have a clutch basket for a shovel on hand. I haven't heard great things about the Knock Off S&S carb that Amazon has. Just FYI. I just put a CV carb on an Ironhead, It was a trick, but it runs great! That video goes up Sept 27 @4:45pm. It would be the same conversion to a shovel! Good Luck and thank you for reaching out! What a find you have Wow!
I ran only S&S Super B on my Shovelheads. I love them.
Those are great carbs, I have one on my 66 Ironhead! Thanks for the comment and info!
I've been running super B's on Harleys since the seventies, put an accelerator float bowl on my 88 STD panhead, much better acceleration and overall performance, no flat spots.
Thank you for that hands on Tech info!!
I have used both Mikuni and S&S as replacement carbs. Both different but good when dialed in.
They are both proven performers. I have worked on both Brands and several models as well. I have an S&S on a 1966 Ironhead. They do take an independent process to arrive at a proper adjustment. I continue to have good performances with this knock off CV Carb. Thanks for the comment!
Been running a Chinese carb on 98 fxdl. $65 with jets delivered to my house. Removed bowl screws while jetting with stainless allens. Runs fantastic, the inner machine works in carb was very good. 3 years, $65 bucks runs fantastic. I'd do it. And remember a cv40 has no replacement seat for needle and carb kit is $45 with no new needle. It's a cheap gamble at worst. And IMHO a win.
It is good to hear of the longevity you have seen on this carb. Stainless allens are a great long term upgrade and IMHO I think it is worth the gamble as well! Thanks for the comment! Ride Safe, Be Well!
Convert your bowl screws from Phillips to Allen head. You can thank me later
It is a great idea! I don't have trouble with the JIS screws, but other people seem to!! I have seen a lot of them stripped out for sure!!! Thanks for the comment! Ride Safe, Be Well!
If at all possible replace the float bowl, the throttle pump! And the screws at the top of the carb! With allen head screws! Keep The Rubber Side Down Brothers!
My good brother put a Chinese S&S on his UL flatty. $55 and he figures if it craps out every 3 years he can replace it over 8 times for the price of an S&S. The bike runs great! I would have kept the M51 Linkert myself.
It's awesome that your brother found a budget-friendly solution that works for him! The UL flatty must be running smoothly-He can keep the Linkert on the shelf for a future return to the original! Thanks for the Comment!
S&S carburetors usually don't wear out because I have one on my old Evo that's been on this bike for 30 years . The car club I am in we have a sprint dirt track mini that's got a Buell 1,200 that's modified and it uses a S&S Super G carburetor with the thunder jet system on it and that carburetor is worn out because of the dust that gets into it even though it runs the air filter plus the throttle is set up for a foot feed gas pedal and being this is run on a short track with the throttle constantly being on & off the throttle plate bushings wore out so the throttle plate doesn't return like it should . These carburetors were never designed for a foot feed throttle because with the constant off on by using your foot that has a much more pressure being put on the throttle it's going to wear out much faster than just being turned by hand . The original keihn carb on my evo I started having accelerator pump problems and the idle mix screw kept moving falling out of tube plus the intake manifold seals would get brittle and cause vacuum leaks and with the S&S these intakes use a aluminum & rubber bonded intake manifold seals that won't leak because they actually fit partially inside the intake ports which eliminates intake leaks .
I would like to add that S&S used to be made in Kenosha Wisconsin but have moved to Lacrosse Wisconsin where they still build the carburetors & the new fuel injection systems for HD along with the engines they build so at least they are still being made here in the USA and not in Chinesium land !
@@peteloomis8456 Yeah, I run S&S on a 84 FXR bar hopper. I'm waiting to see how long the China version lasts on my Brothers UL. You want to buy American but it's so expensive!
They are and have been quality go to Harley replacements for years, worked on a lot of them, have one on my 66 XLCH. Thanks for the great comment and great info!!
Swapped the CV out of my 04 Fatboy with a Mikuni years ago, this so improved the bikes performance but almost halved the mpg, still worth it
That has been my experience with the Mikuni Flatslides as well. They give the performance, more air and MORE fuel! They sure awaken a sleepy EVO motor! Stay safe out there!! Thanks for the comment!
Installed a Super E knockoff on my Panhead three years ago. I bought three different brands from Amazon and kept the best one.
Two of the carbs had no holes in the main jet nozzle. The finish was the same on all three. The carb I kept has a polished finish and no manufacturers markings on the body. Looked good to me. All the hardware and internal parts interchange with a factory S&S carb although the threaded holes for the float bowl seemed a little looser on the clone. I installed extended bowl screws from Vtwin Mfg. anyway. The enrichment device required a metric wrench also.
Easy to dial in like a real S&S. Bike starts and runs fine. Make sure to check your float bowl height. I run one throttle cable, the return spring is plenty stiff. Before installing, fill the bowl with gas to make sure the accelerator pump is working.
S&S carb $400. Clone about $60. Ultima makes the same carb for$200, but It’s a clone with their logo.
That is all great information and I really appreciate the thorough advice!! S&S carbs are a thing of their own & I have worked on a bunch! There are still a range of quality coming out of different manufacturing plants in China. Thank you for the comment!!
Hello, nice video. I did the same with my harley-davidson night train 2002, it didn't run well. I bought a Chinese car.
And use it for two months now and it s so much more fun to ride with the Harley it rus like a dream.
Just the same experience as you have, that's why you're video got my attention in the first place. I whis you a lot of nice and fun miles with the new upgrade. 👍🏼
Thank you! Your right it is light, but mine was already light already as I eliminated the return cable as I customized it. I will post an update video in a year or when it fails!! Ride safe and keep the rubber side down!! More to come!!
This was a great review. I’m always weary of Amazon parts. Also I’ve had a lot of hit or miss. Carbs being one of them. I’ve gotten ones from Japan sellers that say they fit and are too small inlets or the float bowel is to shallow and keeps the float up.
Like the honesty. It runs good for now, time will tell. Please do a yearly follow up.
Thank you for the honest and kind critique! I am planning a 1 year follow up after winter storage and the next summer season. It will be sooner if it has a failure. Thanks for the great comment!
Like so many things these days ,some replacement carbs are good and some are not .I have both good and bad luck with knock off replacements.
I have had the same experience and have heard from many with similar stories. Probably QC issues and differences from factory to factory? Thanks for the comment!
you’re literally my comfort person i love you kislux !
Such a nice thing to say.....thank you! I am glad you liked the video and reached out with a comment! Stay Safe and be Well!!
Thanks I also put an Cheap 40 $ amazon carb on my 2000 1200 Sportster back 6 - 7 mo ago & guess what ? > it worked Great still running Strong all Summer
That is great to hear! I am hoping for a similar result on the Softail!! Thank you for the great comment! Ride Safe, Be Well!!
I hate to say it but (some) Chinese tools are pretty good. I just threw out a 20 year old, $20 variable speed hammer drill I abused every time I used it and I guess it probably just needed brushes.
I have had the same experience. The quality, maybe not accross the board, but in quite a few intances is coming up. Thanks for the Comment! Stay Safe, Be Well!
I had a screwdriver bit with a thumb grip to adjust my old Ironhead back in the day
That is the OLD SCHOOL makin' it happen attitude!! Hell Yes!👍💪
I got me an Amazon CV40 carb, $40 bucks. I just replaced mine with all my old OEM CV40 carb parts plus a fresh rebuild kit… and this sucker has my bike running great I’m not even kidding it seems better than OEM.
Hell Yes Brother!! You just joined the Club!!
BTW I love your TH-cam handle!
@@vintageharleysrevived thanks my man! Appreciate it 🙏
Knowing Hardley, or just about all motorcycle dealers as most of their factories are there now, it's most probably the same but with the Hardley tax added.
It is almost the same for sure, they do add a "Harley" tax which means doubling the price at least!!!
"Hardly Tax" LOL
It's both sad and happy at the same time.😅
I guess you are right, it is both sad that the factory parts cost so much and we are using these Chinese made carbs instead. Yet, happy that it works and it is an inexpensive fix. Thanks for the comment!
The amount of times I’ve seen people with evos change carbs, foul plugs and constantly chase tune issues with only minor improvements.
I always go igntion first and 99% it solves the issue
A twin tec kit changes the whole personality of a evo.
It does, that is for sure, I think it is a lot hotter unit, isn't it? I haven't had ignition issues, this bike was rode a lot early in its life and then sat for quite a while. The body of this carb has play in the butterfly shaft and CV Slide. That is the result of 70k with little maintenance on the fuel system or care for the type of fuel, I think. Thanks for the comment! Stay safe!
I would buy the Dynatech 2000 programmable ignition module & the coils they recommend & a new pickup coil in the timing tower because with these ignitions you have much more tunability with them for the ignition. They even have a wire harness you can buy to links up to a laptop and you can get on their website and find your bike that is running the same carburetor pipes and ignition that's been dyno tuned & you can load those timing specs into the module then jet the carburetor accordingly to get your tune spot on or at least very close which saves you time and money not having to bring the bike in to have it dyno tuned. I like the module that bolts to the frame rather than the complete ignition that fits in the timing tower because heat can cause electronics to fail so I've been staying with the modules that bolts to the frame and they've worked very good . The other thing I like about them is you have the option to eliminate the V.O.E.S vacuum operated electric switch that is what actually was used for the stock ignition to advance the timing & with the Dynatech you can eliminate this which frees up some space & you can custom tune your timing advance on how early or late you need it or how fast or slow you want the timing to come in or out . Personally for me I always try to run as much advance as possible & have the advance come in as fast as the engine will allow for max performance.
That is an awesome Comment, I have read it 3 times,LOL! Thanks so much for the great information!!!
I learned my lesson on buying cheap china parts. I have thrown two carbs in the trash can. I bought the mikuni kit for $400, runs like a top.
Hard to beat a $400 Mikuni Carb! I have bought entire motorcycles for less $$, LOL (That was quite some time ago) Thanks for the Comment!
I put one on an 89 883 4 years ago for a customer and still runs fine today. $54 then.
That is EPIC! Good to hear the longevity could be there! I Appreciate the Comment! Ride Safe, Be Well!
I've used that same carb . it's actually very good. I like your channel but you could tone the music down. I watch for ideas not the music. But 👍over all😊
Thank you so much for the helpful comment. Going forward I am certainly going to do exactly that. But I have just as many people who love the music, so we'll have to find a middle ground. Thank you!
@@vintageharleysrevived understood no worries, the carb is a good cheap deal for someone that doesn't want to spend on an S&S
Thank's for that, I will keep the Carb in my basket at amazon and try it next time. go ahead with your chanel. great's from germany.
Thank you for the kind encouragement from Germany! I will try to post every Friday morning if I can! Keep the rubber side down in Germany!!
I used to buy these but with a flange that bolted directly to shovels and ironheads, and they worked great!, but cant find them with the flange anymore, if anyone knows where I can find them please let me know!
I have not been able to buy them with that flange either. I have found the adapter with rubber bushing, how to mount it solid is an issue. I will look into that for a future video with the "Bad News" 1985 Sportster!! Thanks for the great comment!!
I did the same thing you did for my 96 glide. Even the same size jets. Although the Chinese choke sucks .once the bike is warmed up ,it idles perfect and runs nice. In my case it might be the vose going bad on the warm up.but otherwise ,my evo keeps chugging along
That is so great to hear! I am glad you have had such good luck! It is warm here now, we will see about the choke in another month or so!! Thanks for the awesome comment!
@@vintageharleysrevived I did mine last autumn ,and I'm up in the north georgia mountains
I love that area south of Robbinsville, NC. Be safe in those hills!!!
That is one beautiful bike. Can’t wait to get one.
Thank you for the kind compliment! I have put a ton of time into massaging it to its current profile!! I got it in pretty rough shape, it barely ran.
Seriously man love your content. I am learning lots! Thanks for passing on the knowledge!
You are so welcome!! It is my passion to do just that! Thank you for soaking it up!! Stay Safe, Be Well my friend!!
The real question is how HD think they can charge 10x more for the same damn carb!
You are so right!
Great vid. Those Amazon carbs are all Metric, the Harley Keihins are standard thread. I had to tap my carb for the air filter to mount. Also the jets don’t interchange. Keep those new jets and mark what they fit. I have YET to find one of those Amazon carbs with the cruise control. Which sucks as I want mine to have it. Great vid, thanks for sharing. Be well!
Thank you for the great comment! All good information! Lol, yeah, no cruise on the 1994 Softail Custom either!!You be well also!!
I went 'old school' on a 2012 8v1200 roller cam Moto Guzzi Norge. The Ecu had been reprogrammed . A lot of stock pieces already removed by previous owners. $ to stock parts $$$.
Pulled throttle bodies and made 2 into one intake manifold with a used/ unknown Kehien 40 mm CV. IT WORKSD WELL EXCEPT IDLE. Will replace with Chinese. I want to TRY two CV and compare. This is more of a race engine . I don't use the top end 7500 so loss of hp will be traded for midrange/ mpg. This is just heads -up if we can share info if you're interested? I used a junkyard SU carb off an Austin Healy 3000 to run a SB 283 Chevy in a 60 Dodge truck. Thanks.
Is the idle issue possibly that the single carb throat is not large enough to flow the necessary air/fuel mixture with the low vacuum at idle? Then as you increase engine RPM the increase in vacuum pulls hard enough to smooth out? Just a thought.....two may be a solution, if this is the case. It sounds like you are doing some really interesting/creative stuff. When I get home and on my computer I will check out your Channel. Who knows, we can surely share info! Thanks for the comment! TTYL
I fitted one on my 1340 shovelhead bike, runs better than new.😄
I had put a CV on a 1981 FLT years ago for a friend, it did run better than new! Ride Safe! Be Well!
Great channel! Keep it going, it's great! Best wishes from Germany!
Thank you! I will! Keep the rubber side down in Germany!!!
The only issue ive had one carb the emulsion tube didn't seat all the way .grond down were the main jet screws in ,now the main jet pushing tube all the way up and sealing
I definitely see those kinds of quality control type issues being an issue with these carbs.
Love the video very informative. The music is mixed in a little bit too loud whenever the music is playing by itself I have to turn it down cuz it's blasting
Have a Kipa carb on my sporty. Been to 12 states, Mexico and Canada. Works great.
12 States and 3 Countrys On a Sporty!! That is Awesome!!!
So, the trhottle feels so light, some thing you goto get use to, but the bike feels so smooth with that light trhottle feeling.
Great video!! I’ve always been curious about Amazon carbs. Just Subscribed!! Thanks for Sharing this with us!!!
Thanks for the subscription! Welcome to the VHR family!
Hey man, loved the video and hope the carby lasts. One question: what band is playing the music on your vid cos I wanna hear more. Thanks for doing what you do.
I hope it lasts as well! On the music. I subscribe to a Music Service called Epidemic Sound for copyright free music for my videos. They have a host of independent creators that get paid when their music is used. www.epidemicsound.com/track/LpyfjvXctq/ the creator is called "Rockin' for Decades" the song is called"Back to Black" that I open with. I dont know if you can listen to it without a subscription. It sounds like 80s AC/DC doesnt it? Thank you for the great comment!
Changed my Solex vw buss carb. China crap on right now, but it runs like a dream.....
You must have gotten a good one as well! I hope it keeps going well! Thanks for the comment!
Paid like $45 on Ebay for Chinese carb .Runs great still.
Great to hear you had good luck with it! That is cheaper than the one I bought on Amazon, Thanks for reaching out!
My wife will be thrilled to know the carb on my FXRS is worth $700. Lol
LMAO!!
I like your wooden stand.
Thanks!! I made it out of Scrap Lumber I had around. The Casters and Hardware I got from Lowes super cheap. I have like $40 in it. I love it!!
I did the same thing to 98 softail.
I’m Canadian everything is million dollars new or used.
To buy used cv on eBay $400 plus shipping and brokerage fees
Harley dealer $1100 plus tax
Fuc& me
Bought one on Amazon $75 free shipping
Changed out the Jett’s
Engine started ran idled that was in June of this year and still running strong
I still laughing at how amazing even if it shits the today it’s worth another
Cool I just subscribed I’ll keep in tune to your channel
Stay safe.
Wow!! I thought $709 was wayyyy too much from the American Harley Dealer! They sure do think A LOT of their parts!!! It is great to hear of a similar experience, on a similar bike! I will do a follow up on this maybe in a year or if it fails. Thanks for Subscribing!! Stay safe in Canada and Keep the rubber side down!!!
On the same note, I've got Amazon carbs I couldn't get dialed in to save my life and ive done over a 100 so it's definitely a roll of the dice unfortunately.
It is, different manufacturers, Lack of QC? Thanks for the Comment!
Amen brother. I learned a lot. Great video.
Thanks for the encouragement Bill! Keep the rubber side down!
I tried the $50 Amazon Super E knock off. Was hoping it worked like the $500 S&S. Couldn't get it to idle correctly. Came with a bag of jets without any numbering. Half of Amazon reviews reported the same. Was hoping I'd be lucky. Nope.
It is kind of a crap shoot with inexpensive parts, some are better than others.
I put a Chinese carb on my 1952 Ford 8N works good so far.
I just bought a Kipa for my Dad's 1942 Farmall B Cultivision, going on there soon!
@@vintageharleysrevived I am sending back some Chinese shaver blades. They showed them in a Norelco Box. It's a Walmart seller. They are junk they just pull on your whiskers $14.99 Genuine Norelco are $20.99 .. and far better.
Not all good yet, but I have gotten some junk here in the good old USA as well!!
Great video a lot of good information......But please turn off the music when you are talking its very distracting. Also, would rather hear the bike running without the music.
I hear you, the editing is a huge learning curve. Thanks for the comment, tho
In my experience as an auto technician....its not a question of of wether or not something made in china will work....if it is isnt bad right out outta the box,but how long it will last.....nothing made over there ever lasts.
I know you are right, I will give the dependability test and come back with a follow up video next summer. Thanks for the comment!!
Intersting.. I'm gunna get my first Evo soon.. trying to learn what I can.
I honestly feel the EVOs, both Sportsters and Big Twins, are the last engine The Motor Company (HD) made that have an unbroken connection (design wise) to the origins of Harley Davidson. An Evo is a great choice for several reasons. Easy to work on, Parts availability, the "Harley" sound, they are relatively inexpensive and they are increasing in value as they age. Good Choice and good luck!! Ride Safe, Be Well!!
I wanna buy a Harley is why I’m watching…. Ty.
That's great! I hope you find information that helps your decision! Thanks for watching!
That softail is gorgeous
Thank you for the kind compliment, the stock paint is starting to grow on me. Lots of work to get it's profile looking correct. A boxful of parts removed!!!
Nicely done Sir, nicely done. I like the couours of the bike. Kind of "classy".
Thank you for the complimentary comment!! It has been a ton of work and hours to get it to sit like that!! The Softail Custom is a beautiful platform for Customization! Stay Safe and Be Well!!
You make it look too easy lol. Sounds great!
You can do it too!! Thanks for the Kind Words!!
Did you check the level of your float. if you can’t get it to tune, these carburetters are very picky about the level of the fuel bowl
Man you sure are right about that, they are finicky about the float level! It was correct, the problem was likely the worn CV slides and the shaft on the Butterfly in the body of the Carb. So far so good on the Chinese Knock off! Thanks for the comment!
Id probably be using that k bar tool , on screws,hammer scraping gaskets many uses ha,ha
The original multi tool, I have one strapped to the frame on my Softail!! I can eat with it too!! Ride Safe, Be Well!!
Good informative video. It's pretty cool, too!
I really appreciate your kind words! It means a lot to know you found the video helpful.
I'm surprised as my experience as a MC mechanic is the opposite of yours. Crap Chinese carbs were not allowed in the shop as they just open pandoras box and even if you did get them to run OK they wore out almost instantly. The "FCR" copy is particularly horrible as it is a very complicated carb with lots of circuits. I highly recommend against these carbs unless maybe for a lawn mower or generator. My opinion only.
I think your opinion is a valid one. My experience as a Veteran diesel mechanic was similar. Chinese injectors were the worst and not allowed, def Pandora's box for complicated parts causing other issues. BUT...IMHO The last few years has seen a change in the quality of many "Off Shore" manufacturers, just like we saw with the Japanese in the 60s,70s, and 80s. Now their goods set a standard, where once they were just Cheap Junk! That said, the project was to install and test this carb to see if it could hold up. If it fails I will return to a "Japanese" rebuilt Keihin from my personal stock. I will ride it a year and come back with a follow up on longevity. Thank you for the thoughtful comment and sharing your experience! Be Well!
I'm there with you. The jets are supposed to be interchangeable but who knows if the orifices are consistent. The castings are junk and slides have a horrible finish.
@@robfizzle3091 Yes
Very informative and entertaining video! Thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it! And thanks for the awesome comment!!
Keihin ... Japanese. It used to be that Japanese goods were considered 'crap' in the 1960's.
The fact is that c.70% of the price of any manufactured goods is created by the labour costs.
Not the quality, not the steel nor alloy price .... _Labour._
That is why a Chinese bike today is 'cheap' and a Austrian bike incredibly expensive ... Labour costs.
These carburettors, no difference. Labour costs.
P S .... I used to own a major marque motorcycle dealership ... Ergo, my comment is not conjecture.
That is so on the money!! From a source that KNOWS! Understanding things for what they really are, that is where freedom of mind is based! Thank You So much for your informed Comment!! Live well and prosper, my friend!!
@@vintageharleysrevived ... My pleasure.
Whilst it has always been my suspicion, I had this confirmed for myself on a dealer tour of a KTM Factory in the 1990's with a friend of mine who was a major KTM dealer.
We asked why KTM bikes were so nose bleed expensive ... That was the answer.
Austria has one of the highest basic wages in the EU. Today the average Austrian salary is c.€58,000 a year. Austria has the best quality of life in the EU. The EU does not have vast poverty.
Myself I reside in N Europe, the happiest area of the planet 🙂
All good fortune to you and your channel.
Thank you for more good info!! My wife is 1 generation out of Sweden, blonde hair and blue eyes, she is always happy, maybe it is the people as well as the place that makes them happy!! Thanks again and be well!!
I have an old muffin pan I use for removing parts in order .
That is a great idea!
My experience with Chinese carbs on ATVs is most of the people who complain about the carbs are the same people who don’t put in the right jets ( same as the original) and don’t set the mixture. They expect it to be a perfect match right out of the box.
You are so right, even the high dollar carbs need to be jetted correctly. Takes a little trial and error but it isn't rocket science! Lol! Thanks for the comment!!
GoldWing Carburetors is pathetic too! On Amazon I had mine replaced with Chinese idf Weber 40’s style and I know what you saying 👍
Nope. I was trying to purchase a keihin and sudco had gone out of business so i was forced find a genuine one from the internet. Found one and paid almost the correct price, even had qc paint marks. It was obvious once it arrived it wasn't real. The quality of the slide and a few other things made me return it. Maybe its hard to spot for most but there's no way i would a Chinese carb for safety and reliability issues
Copy that my man, we all have choices to make and you have made yours. I wasn't trying to get you to use a Chinese Carb, just kind of running a test for reliability and durability. I will be back with a follow up on the long term results. Take Care and thanks for the comment!
Yea it seems the bigger the bike, the more expensive everything is but ive done it before i had a honda shadow, the accuation arm broke on the carb so i had to replace it with an aftermarket carb it cost significantly less than Stock but it was worth it for only 75 bucks
Value for money is certainly a contributing factor in this decision! My first bike was a Honda XR75!! Take Care out there!!
Is there a diaphragm under the black cap on the top of that carb? If there is, I'll bet that's the problem. My 74 Honda CB 550 four had diaphragm carbs and that was the problem with those carbs. I replaced them with the CB 750 four slide carbs. Made it into a screamer.
Yes, there is a diaphragm under the black cap. Your Carbs are probably Keihin Carbs as well. I replaced it, quite some time ago, even tho' it seemed to be fine and it didn't help. The body of this carb is worn in the butterfly shaft and the CV slide. I have not seen one worn like this, the bike has 70k on it, but I have seen them go longer, like 100K +. ??? Thanks for the great input and suggestion! Ride Safe, Be Well!
Could you post the link to the exact carb that you bought? And the air mix screw?
It is in the video description already. If the link doesn't work let me know.
your video is cool and very depressing at the same time, what i wouldn't give to find a pair of cheaper cv carbs for my honda v-twin, the 34mm Keihin's that are on it are a pain in the azz. they run rich then they don't then they do again. the bike will be running fine and without me touching anything it will suddenly popping, backfiring and not wanting to run, check the plugs and sometimes they are soaked rich and other times they are pure white lean, i'll pull apart the carbs, run carb cleaner and air through all the circuits, find all of them open and clear, recheck the float level just for the heck of it, throw them back together without changing anything and the bike will run fine again for a month or 2 then i got to go through it all again so yeah, wished i could find some cheap carbs like that which would fit my bike, besides the larger size and you just having a single carb, the other big difference is the cv carbs on my bike don't have accelerator pumps which is something i've never understood, why some cv carbs have accelerator pumps and some don't, if anyone knows of any knock-off carbs that in my size a point in that direction would be greatly appreciated, great video, i'm jealous........
Thank you for the kind encouragement! I believe in1988 the first year of the CV carb on Harleys it did not have an accelerator pump. They changed that in a hurry and then kept basically the same carb until they phased them out in 2006 for fuel injection. There is a big demand for them because they do cause issues, especially after winter storage. Hopefully you can find some reliable option! Good Luck and thanks for the great comment!!
I've been running a cheap Chinese carb on my '97 WideGlide for about a year now, and the stock carb never performed as well as this one does.
I am having the same experience as I ride the Softail. Thanks for the Comment!
@@vintageharleysrevived
Excellent video, by the way.
I added that I replace all float bowl screws, and whichever others I can with Allen heads.
Thanks for the Kind Comment! Allens are def the solution.
Ive been thinkin bout one of them for mine, thx I think u made up my mind....
Good Luck! Let me know how that goes for you, throw any questions my way if you need to!!
Japanese carbs use JIS screwdrivers. A JIS screwdriver will fit a Philips, not the reverse.
Cheap ones are available, but Vessel are the absolute best and you will buy once
I appreciate the recommendation for a JIS brand that is good. Thanks for the Comment!!
I am actually interested in which carb you chose as there are several to choose from,
I put the link in the video description for the carb I used, also the choke Cable and Idle/Air Mixture Screw. All there in the description. Good luck!!!
I have a 2003 lowrider with 101,713 miles never had the carb off, dealer I bought it from in 2014 with 13K on it replaced the throttle cables and I just replaced the choke cable. vintage cause of the carb as no one knows what they are anymore
100K hell yes! Got to love a Dyna!! You sure are right, very few know much about Carbs these days and having a Carb makes people not want them! Which is great for me, cause I love them!! If I dont smell like gas and oil after riding it must have run out of gas and oil!!! Be Safe out there!!!
Why not an impact driver for those factory torqued screws?,
Well, maybe, if I had JIS impact bits , it might work. I have a pretty decent process that works. I don't strip them out but I sure find them that way! Thanks for the comment!
I tried a Chinese S&S Super E clone, cost less than $100 bucks, worked pretty good till i let it sit a few months. Fuckin thing wouldn't even start. Getting no fuel. So now i gotta dig in and see what the problem is or buy this Ultima S&S clone im looking at. It cost about $300 bucks, but appears to be a better piece.
It probably is, where is the Ultima Clone made? Korea maybe? It is all about the quality control in each factory. You would think for $300 it would be better. How much is the actual S&S?
@@vintageharleysrevived S&S Super E pretty damn expensive these days, around $500 bucks or so, rebuilt old ones are around $400 bucks. That Ultima also has a few performance improvements over the original type Es. It's about half price to the S&S Super E, so I figure I'll probably try one out. I think fuel corrosion fucked up the Chinese Super E I tried. Alcohol in today's shitty fuel eat it up. Pisses me off. But it did run good till I let it sit. The unit is an old early 70s Ironhead rigid drag bike, so I can't ride it much anyway. It's pretty rowdy and difficult to ride. It's 1970s cool tho. It's a custom build from the mid 70s. Sat in my living room for over 20yrs.
I would love to see pictures of that bike. If you can send them to my email listed on my channel that would be awesome! There is a lot to navigate with all these carbs options. I hope you get it figured out and find a workable option.
@@vintageharleysrevived I have a few videos of it on my channel, they are a year or 2 old. I just got it running after sitting 10-15 years on the videos. Probably 4-5 short videos of it. It's loud as hell. Big CRANE cams, 12-1 compression, big bore JMS jugs, forged Wiseco pistons, Merchant connecting rods, lightened flywheels, big stainless valves, double valvesprings and ported heads and short drag pipes about 18 inch long. Etc. Nothing on it that it don't need to run. Have a old school bias ply looking tire on it for the street, another wheel with a old M&H slick on it. It runs mid 7s at around 90mph in the 8th mile.
I suscribed to your channel and will look through for the ironhead. You have a bunch of good looking content! Thanks Again for reaching out!
I replace float bowl screws with Allen heads.
Problem Solved for Good!
Always have a Ka-Bar at hand when doing carburetor work. 😆
Absolutely! A Ka-Bar can be a handy tool for any task, especially when working on carburetors. Safety first!
To cut stuff mostly, LOL A Kabar is the original multi tool!
@@vintageharleysrevived Harley tool #3 (after a hammer and large screwdriver). 😁
Definitely easier than rebuilding the originals too.
It is easier, for sure!!