Just want to shout out a thank you for helping me rebuild my M34 carb. I’m running it on my 47 UL , Not stock for my scoot but bike runs great with it. Won a lot of 1 kick bets with this carb , lost a few also
Excellent video. I'm just seeing all of these, too bad they weren't around 40 years ago . I always ran a Bendix on my Pan but you have me wanting to rebuild the old Linkert. I'm glad I still have it
@@pacificmike9501 Hey Mike. Hope ur doing well. I got a “new” bike 2003 Heritage softail, classic. Anniversary edition. Thing runs great. Im rebuilding the old Panhead once again. New paint new lower end bearings new top end I sold off the linkert and got an S&S Shorty. I hope it works well out of the box. Thanks for all your videos they’re great.
Been looking for a panhead for years and fell in love and bought one last fall. I really appreciate your quality videos and have learned a lot!. Thanks, 63fl.
Never sell it! Especially never sell it overseas! Unfortunately greed has taken over this hobby and greedy bikers have been selling off our amazing bikes overseas for the past 30 years lots of old iron being lost for good.
Dude!!! You just saved my friends old knucklehead! I'm thinking the bushings need replaced. I "guessed" vacuum leak... I think he needs two bushings... and they're cheap! I can't wait to see him, and tell him what You taught me!
Cool. Remember, "If you replace the throttle shaft bushings, you'll probably need to replace the throttle shaft." Take it slow, read the manual. This is stuff that needs to be carefully fitted. Not difficult, just pay attention to detail.
@@pacificmike9501 Will do! I'm going up to visit him tonight... he's one year younger than his bike... He has a dyna pan too.. I don't know what year it is, but, its beautiful!
I had one of these I just couldn't get the plugs out , soaked that thing in bread pan of carb. cleaner and to my amazement those plugs came right out .... One year later !
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it. What Harleys are most common in Poland? Current models, antiques, military surplus? I've dealt with several European countries over the years, but never Poland.
I would say that models with Twin Cam engine are most common, 88 ci TC are the cheapest if we talk about all Big Twins. We have also many bikes with Evolution engine. Shovelheads and Ironheads are not so common, UL/VL or Panheads are rare and Knuckleheads very rare. 45 ci flathead is most common antique Harley, especially military model WLA (you can buy nearly all parts for this model, including brand new frames)
Thank you. I like learning what's going on with bikes in places other than where I'm at. It's always interesting. I am in the U.S. , in Southern California. And it looks like, with your email address, you must be riding a panhead. Good for you!
Not really, I have 99' evo, but looking for shovelhead now. So far I've been in California twice, ridding PCH in Big Sur was one of the best motorcycle trips I have ever had. Mulholland Hwy was also cool. Next time I will pay you a visit!
Big Sur is my favorite ride. I used to ride it several times a year. It's beautiful. It's several hundred miles from me now. But, as soon as the old rode bike is back together, I'll be there again. I look forward to meeting you.
Thank you for all of your excellent tutorial videos for vintage Harleys. I have a 40mm Zenith carburetor on my 1945 Knuckiehead EL. I have just rebuilt the carb. I neglected to count the number of turns on the adjustable main jet before I disassembled it. I have been unable to find any information about the initial setting for the adjustable main jet. What is your suggestion for a starting point? Thank you for your help.
Well, I've honestly forgotten. I generally run Linkerts on old Harleys. But, back in the day, I did hot rod a Bendix and run it on my 74" Shovelhead. Back then, you would buy a kit that converted it to an adjustable main jet. The only problem was that the adjustment, and the ones that came with an adjustable main jet, had a very "coarse" adjustment. I think you were supposed to start at about three turns out. I'm not sure. But again, that adjustment was very hard to get a fast or accurate adjustment. Make sure the throttle shaft is tight. I removed the choke plate and shaft and plugged the shaft holes and installed a "flow ring" inside the air filter. I made it work and it worked well. Just try not to get frustrated with that main jet adjustment. Not easy to get right.
Hello Mike, thank you for all of your wonderful videos. You are an inspiration in skill as well as patience and zen. i am going through the M-88 Linkert on my 42' WLA and I cannot get the main nozzle out to save my life. I don't want to accidentally bend it because then it wont come out at all! Do you have any tips for getting a stuck tube out of there so I can pull the venturi? Im worried about banging the passage up or making it worse in some way. Mike you are a legend and thank you for all of your help over the years.
Thank You. Soak it in carb cleaner. Sometime, they're stuck for a long time. Leaving it in carb cleaner too long can be bad. You gotta stay on it. I actually use plastic chisels to try and jar them loose. I gave up on one and it's still in there and working fine.
@@pacificmike9501 Thank you Mike! I will stay on it with some plastic chisels and maybe, in the end, it doesn't need to come out. Much appreciated man! Thank you for your time.
Hello Mike , thank you for the great videos . Would it be possible to do a Bendix carb video and maybe explain how to identify the jet sizes . Mine is marked C66-143 . I understand there is 5 different sizes , can you please list them and which are smaller to bigger . if you could it would be a great help as the manual doesnt . not anything on the internet either .
I don't mean to be rude, but, we all ran those carburetors 'til we got better stuff. They are very crude at best. A real "artist" can make one work well. The jets were listed in the old parts books, but Harley hasen't stocked them for at least thirty years. I'm sure there are some out there, but I really don't remember how the part numbers went. I converted several to an adjustable main jet, but the adjustment was quite coarse and took quite a while to get right. However, I'm sure there is a supplier who has that kit in stock.
Hey Mike I recently watched your video on the disassembly and reassembly of a Linkert M74 carb. I'm in the process of restoring a 1960 panhead and plan on using the stock carb.During the disassembly process I became aware that the venturi sleeve has essentially welded itself to the carb body and won't fall out so nicely like yours does in the video,In fact this one is stuck pretty good. I've tried heating it, soaking it, running it in a ultrasonic cleaner and taking a brass drift with a flat edge ground on it to try and tap it out with no luck. Any suggestions? In fact I was wondering how important is it to get that out to thoroughly clean the carburetor? Is there any passages underneath that would require cleaning or would I be better off just cleaning everything else and let that be, before I damaged the carb trying to get it out? Thanks for any advice!
I got your question twice here and if, in fact that venruri is in there and inline with the hole for the emulsion tube, it doesn't really need to come out.
Hey Mike, thanks for the great content, you truly are helping people. I am trying to find the video you mentioned about adjusting the needles, which of your videos do you go through that?
Mike, your videos are great. Thank you for sharing so much valuable information & experience. This is the first time I'm pulling the carb off my dad's old FL for a rebuild. The throttle shaft is slightly bent on the small end, and I cannot get it out. It spins freely and the bushings are decent, so not the worst problem, but irritating all the same. Any advice?
My advice, without checking it, pull it out and replace the bushings and the shaft. If it really does feel good, then check it after running it by shaking the shaft. No up and down with RPM's, you're good to go.
@@pacificmike9501 Thanks, Mike. I suppose its better to get it done now, than to know its still bent & will have to be fixed "someday". I will try some emery cloth on the very end of the shaft first, to see if i can get the clearance needed for removal. If that isn't working, ill take a file to it because there is no way i can get it out as-is.
Hey Mike, thank you for the videos. I am not a mechanic however, I am definitely wanting to learn. I bought my uncle's 79 FLH-80 about 4 years ago. Unfortunately, I seemed to have issue after issue. Between the problems with the bike and lack of time, I have not had it on the road much. I have 2 questions. 1. What do you use to soak your carbs in? 2. (this one might be a complex question) When do you decide it is time for a compete tear down and rebuild?
I buy a gallon can of carburetor cleaner at the auto parts store ans soak the disassembled carburetor in it. A complete teardown is required if things haven't been maitained along the way. When something appears to need attention, do it. If it hasn't been properly maintained, well... The factory service manual explains what to do and when to properly maintain the machine.
Hey Mike. I’m rebuilding an m51 and I’ve gotten to the point of removing the Venturi while following your video but the Venturi is stuck tight and won’t come out. Also the emulsion tube hole doesn’t seem to line up. Are these issues normal? Thanks
Yes. The body and the venturi are dissimilar materials. Soak in carb cleaner overnight. Don't leave it in forever. If that doesn't work, think about it. Do you really need to remove it? Probably not.
@@pacificmike9501 thanks for your response and your videos. In my case I did need the Venturi out because the emulsion tube hole was misaligned and the emulsion tube was stuck down below the Venturi. Not sure how my bike ran that way. I ended up using a 1/16 deep well socket and two VERY gentle taps from a rubber mallet and it came right out. My M51 has new life and I can’t wait to see how much happier my bike will be
Mike big question for you. I just inherited my dads 58 pan. Its not stock he put it in a rigid in the 60s. My question its been in my heated garage for 21 years untouched.... I just finished reading through my service manuel. Were do I start Mike Thanks Keith
Clean gas and oil tanks. Clean carburetor. Put in fresh oil and filter, if it has one. Install fresh spark plugs. Install new battery, if it uses one. Fire it up, but don't ride it until you service everything else on the bike.
I can't say for certain. I do research when I play with this stuff. I put a larger venturi in my old Indian's Linkert and got quite a gain. I did a lot of other stuff to it. I've got a very special Linkert for my Flathead Harley. It has a "bombsite" venturi. We'll see how it does.
Hi Mike, doesn’t the motion tube have to have a tiny gasket on it? What chemicals do you recommend me to use to clean all parts, perhaps cider vinegar does the job?
I clean carburetors with carburetor cleaner. Big can, soak over night. There may be a gasket on the emulsion tube on some different model of Linkert carbs, but, not on the M-74. Consult a parts book with great diagrams. Perhaps the Tedd Cycle, V-Twin catalog, Antique Section.
Hello mike Isaac again, and I have a question for you. I do pretty much all the maintenance on my bike when it comes to oil changes,belt adjustments and little thing you know nothing mayor, but anyway if you remember I told the older bike I have is a 2001 sporster 1200 custom and the other day I was watching your video you were changing the jets on your bodies bike and I think you put a 48 or had a 48 and I think you put a 52 if I’m right, ok my question is if I put a bigger jet what do I gain by doing that? Do I need to readjust the carb, if go with can be kind and answer my question please and thanks again
Well, I don't know what you have now or where you're at as far as altitude is concerned. A larger low speed jet or idle jet, or as it may be called, a pilot jet, simply has a larger hole, which causes a greater flow of fuel, changing the air/fuel mixture. It "richens" the mixture from an otherwise "lean" condition. The only adjustment, other than jet changes is the "idle mixture screw" on the bottom of the carburetor. There is an aluminum plug on the bottom that must be drilled out to facilitate this adjustment. The main jet in the carburetor is usually large enough.
Absolutely. However, in the interest of being stock, is this a 61 or a 74? M-74B is standard and easy on a 74 incher. For a 61 incher, probably a smaller venturi would be required. Remember, in 1949 there were EL's and FL's. EL is 61 cu. inch, and FL is 74 cubic inch.
@@pacificmike9501 Thanks for the videos Mike, I really like the way you go through everything. I'm working on a 71 FX 1200 with a 72 motor. First project bike. I have a 2001 1200 Sporty I bought new.
Just want to shout out a thank you for helping me rebuild my M34 carb. I’m running it on my 47 UL , Not stock for my scoot but bike runs great with it. Won a lot of 1 kick bets with this carb , lost a few also
Cool. Thank You. Sounds like you're having fun.
Mike thanks for your clear walkthrough how to dismantle and how to put the carborator back in again.
Thank You. Glad you enjoyed it.
Excellent video. I'm just seeing all of these, too bad they weren't around 40 years ago .
I always ran a Bendix on my Pan but you have me wanting to rebuild the old Linkert. I'm glad I still have it
Thank You. Linkerts work sooo well.
@@pacificmike9501 Hey Mike.
Hope ur doing well.
I got a “new” bike
2003 Heritage softail, classic. Anniversary edition. Thing runs great.
Im rebuilding the old Panhead once again. New paint new lower end bearings new top end I sold off the linkert and got an S&S Shorty. I hope it works well out of the box.
Thanks for all your videos they’re great.
Been looking for a panhead for years and fell in love and bought one last fall. I really appreciate your quality videos and have learned a lot!. Thanks, 63fl.
The goal is to make good, useful videos. Your feedback is great. Thank you.
Excellent , they only made those one year !
Never sell it! Especially never sell it overseas! Unfortunately greed has taken over this hobby and greedy bikers have been selling off our amazing bikes overseas for the past 30 years lots of old iron being lost for good.
Dude!!! You just saved my friends old knucklehead! I'm thinking the bushings need replaced. I "guessed" vacuum leak... I think he needs two bushings... and they're cheap! I can't wait to see him, and tell him what You taught me!
Cool. Remember, "If you replace the throttle shaft bushings, you'll probably need to replace the throttle shaft." Take it slow, read the manual. This is stuff that needs to be carefully fitted. Not difficult, just pay attention to detail.
@@pacificmike9501 Will do! I'm going up to visit him tonight... he's one year younger than his bike... He has a dyna pan too.. I don't know what year it is, but, its beautiful!
Cool.
I liked the Linkert they were great carburetors. I like the Bendix it's replacement but I didn't care for the butterfly carburetor.
Pretty hard to beat the quality and versatility of the Linkert. The only reason I take them off is because they aren't big enough for strokers.
Canada 🇨🇦 loves you.
Thank you.
I had one of these I just couldn't get the plugs out , soaked that thing in bread pan of carb. cleaner and to my amazement those plugs came right out .... One year later !
Success is success. I'll take it whenever it comes.
your vids are rite on ....every time ! Thanx !
Thank you. Glad you enjoy them.
Hello Mike, thank you for this superb video, I love it. Greetings from Poland
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it. What Harleys are most common in Poland? Current models, antiques, military surplus? I've dealt with several European countries over the years, but never Poland.
I would say that models with Twin Cam engine are most common, 88 ci TC are the cheapest if we talk about all Big Twins. We have also many bikes with Evolution engine. Shovelheads and Ironheads are not so common, UL/VL or Panheads are rare and Knuckleheads very rare. 45 ci flathead is most common antique Harley, especially military model WLA (you can buy nearly all parts for this model, including brand new frames)
Thank you. I like learning what's going on with bikes in places other than where I'm at. It's always interesting. I am in the U.S. , in Southern California. And it looks like, with your email address, you must be riding a panhead. Good for you!
Not really, I have 99' evo, but looking for shovelhead now. So far I've been in California twice, ridding PCH in Big Sur was one of the best motorcycle trips I have ever had. Mulholland Hwy was also cool. Next time I will pay you a visit!
Big Sur is my favorite ride. I used to ride it several times a year. It's beautiful. It's several hundred miles from me now. But, as soon as the old rode bike is back together, I'll be there again. I look forward to meeting you.
Thank you for all of your excellent tutorial videos for vintage Harleys. I have a 40mm Zenith carburetor on my 1945 Knuckiehead EL. I have just rebuilt the carb.
I neglected to count the number of turns on the adjustable main jet before I disassembled it. I have been unable to find any information about the initial setting for the adjustable main jet. What is your suggestion for a starting point? Thank you for your help.
Well, I've honestly forgotten. I generally run Linkerts on old Harleys. But, back in the day, I did hot rod a Bendix and run it on my 74" Shovelhead. Back then, you would buy a kit that converted it to an adjustable main jet. The only problem was that the adjustment, and the ones that came with an adjustable main jet, had a very "coarse" adjustment. I think you were supposed to start at about three turns out. I'm not sure. But again, that adjustment was very hard to get a fast or accurate adjustment. Make sure the throttle shaft is tight. I removed the choke plate and shaft and plugged the shaft holes and installed a "flow ring" inside the air filter. I made it work and it worked well. Just try not to get frustrated with that main jet adjustment. Not easy to get right.
thanks for sharing mike !!!
Thank You.
Hello Mike, thank you for all of your wonderful videos. You are an inspiration in skill as well as patience and zen. i am going through the M-88 Linkert on my 42' WLA and I cannot get the main nozzle out to save my life. I don't want to accidentally bend it because then it wont come out at all! Do you have any tips for getting a stuck tube out of there so I can pull the venturi? Im worried about banging the passage up or making it worse in some way. Mike you are a legend and thank you for all of your help over the years.
Thank You. Soak it in carb cleaner. Sometime, they're stuck for a long time. Leaving it in carb cleaner too long can be bad. You gotta stay on it. I actually use plastic chisels to try and jar them loose. I gave up on one and it's still in there and working fine.
@@pacificmike9501 Thank you Mike! I will stay on it with some plastic chisels and maybe, in the end, it doesn't need to come out. Much appreciated man! Thank you for your time.
It will probably loosen up with use. It's probably been dry a long time.
Hello Mike , thank you for the great videos . Would it be possible to do a Bendix carb video and maybe explain how to identify the jet sizes . Mine is marked C66-143 . I understand there is 5 different sizes , can you please list them and which are smaller to bigger . if you could it would be a great help as the manual doesnt . not anything on the internet either .
I don't mean to be rude, but, we all ran those carburetors 'til we got better stuff. They are very crude at best. A real "artist" can make one work well. The jets were listed in the old parts books, but Harley hasen't stocked them for at least thirty years. I'm sure there are some out there, but I really don't remember how the part numbers went. I converted several to an adjustable main jet, but the adjustment was quite coarse and took quite a while to get right. However, I'm sure there is a supplier who has that kit in stock.
@@pacificmike9501 Thank you Mike for your response , I know you would put the information up if you had it . Please keep doing what you do .
Hey Mike I recently watched your video on the disassembly and reassembly of a Linkert M74 carb. I'm in the process of restoring a 1960 panhead and plan on using the stock carb.During the disassembly process I became aware that the venturi sleeve has essentially welded itself to the carb body and won't fall out so nicely like yours does in the video,In fact this one is stuck pretty good. I've tried heating it, soaking it, running it in a ultrasonic cleaner and taking a brass drift with a flat edge ground on it to try and tap it out with no luck. Any suggestions? In fact I was wondering how important is it to get that out to thoroughly clean the carburetor? Is there any passages underneath that would require cleaning or would I be better off just cleaning everything else and let that be, before I damaged the carb trying to get it out? Thanks for any advice!
I got your question twice here and if, in fact that venruri is in there and inline with the hole for the emulsion tube, it doesn't really need to come out.
Hey Mike, thanks for the great content, you truly are helping people. I am trying to find the video you mentioned about adjusting the needles, which of your videos do you go through that?
The early ones on the Yellow Knucklehead. Just go to the Pacific Mike homepage and click on "videos."
Mike, your videos are great. Thank you for sharing so much valuable information & experience. This is the first time I'm pulling the carb off my dad's old FL for a rebuild. The throttle shaft is slightly bent on the small end, and I cannot get it out. It spins freely and the bushings are decent, so not the worst problem, but irritating all the same. Any advice?
My advice, without checking it, pull it out and replace the bushings and the shaft. If it really does feel good, then check it after running it by shaking the shaft. No up and down with RPM's, you're good to go.
@@pacificmike9501 Thanks, Mike. I suppose its better to get it done now, than to know its still bent & will have to be fixed "someday". I will try some emery cloth on the very end of the shaft first, to see if i can get the clearance needed for removal. If that isn't working, ill take a file to it because there is no way i can get it out as-is.
Hey Mike, thank you for the videos. I am not a mechanic however, I am definitely wanting to learn. I bought my uncle's 79 FLH-80 about 4 years ago. Unfortunately, I seemed to have issue after issue. Between the problems with the bike and lack of time, I have not had it on the road much. I have 2 questions. 1. What do you use to soak your carbs in? 2. (this one might be a complex question) When do you decide it is time for a compete tear down and rebuild?
I buy a gallon can of carburetor cleaner at the auto parts store ans soak the disassembled carburetor in it. A complete teardown is required if things haven't been maitained along the way. When something appears to need attention, do it. If it hasn't been properly maintained, well... The factory service manual explains what to do and when to properly maintain the machine.
Hey Mike. I’m rebuilding an m51 and I’ve gotten to the point of removing the Venturi while following your video but the Venturi is stuck tight and won’t come out. Also the emulsion tube hole doesn’t seem to line up. Are these issues normal? Thanks
Yes. The body and the venturi are dissimilar materials. Soak in carb cleaner overnight. Don't leave it in forever. If that doesn't work, think about it. Do you really need to remove it? Probably not.
@@pacificmike9501 thanks for your response and your videos. In my case I did need the Venturi out because the emulsion tube hole was misaligned and the emulsion tube was stuck down below the Venturi. Not sure how my bike ran that way. I ended up using a 1/16 deep well socket and two VERY gentle taps from a rubber mallet and it came right out. My M51 has new life and I can’t wait to see how much happier my bike will be
Mike big question for you. I just inherited my dads 58 pan. Its not stock he put it in a rigid in the 60s.
My question its been in my heated garage for 21 years untouched.... I just finished reading through my service manuel.
Were do I start Mike
Thanks Keith
Clean gas and oil tanks. Clean carburetor. Put in fresh oil and filter, if it has one. Install fresh spark plugs. Install new battery, if it uses one. Fire it up, but don't ride it until you service everything else on the bike.
Thanks Mike
Thanks Mike does the racing Venturi available for these carbs make much difference ?
Great video too.
I can't say for certain. I do research when I play with this stuff. I put a larger venturi in my old Indian's Linkert and got quite a gain. I did a lot of other stuff to it. I've got a very special Linkert for my Flathead Harley. It has a "bombsite" venturi. We'll see how it does.
Do you run a fuel strainer on your linkerts?
They really are a cool part, but I run neoprene fuel line and an "inline, washable, sintered brass," filter.
Hi Mike, doesn’t the motion tube have to have a tiny gasket on it? What chemicals do you recommend me to use to clean all parts, perhaps cider vinegar does the job?
I clean carburetors with carburetor cleaner. Big can, soak over night. There may be a gasket on the emulsion tube on some different model of Linkert carbs, but, not on the M-74. Consult a parts book with great diagrams. Perhaps the Tedd Cycle, V-Twin catalog, Antique Section.
Hello mike Isaac again, and I have a question for you. I do pretty much all the maintenance on my bike when it comes to oil changes,belt adjustments and little thing you know nothing mayor, but anyway if you remember I told the older bike I have is a 2001 sporster 1200 custom and the other day I was watching your video you were changing the jets on your bodies bike and I think you put a 48 or had a 48 and I think you put a 52 if I’m right, ok my question is if I put a bigger jet what do I gain by doing that? Do I need to readjust the carb, if go with can be kind and answer my question please and thanks again
Well, I don't know what you have now or where you're at as far as altitude is concerned. A larger low speed jet or idle jet, or as it may be called, a pilot jet, simply has a larger hole, which causes a greater flow of fuel, changing the air/fuel mixture. It "richens" the mixture from an otherwise "lean" condition. The only adjustment, other than jet changes is the "idle mixture screw" on the bottom of the carburetor. There is an aluminum plug on the bottom that must be drilled out to facilitate this adjustment. The main jet in the carburetor is usually large enough.
Hi Mike, do you have a video for tuning the linkert carburetor?
Yes. Please watch our "Knucklehead Harley Startup." Linkerts are great. I hope this helps.
Good evening, could you give me the needle measurements please? I want to make them ... and I don't know the diameter and length.
Sorry, but no. Those are long tapered needles made of brass. You will need either the real thing or engineering drawings.
Pacific Mike i need the length and diameter of needles for linkert m16 thank you very much for the reply!
Hey Mike. Is it possible to ride a M74b instead of an M36 on a '49 Pan? Thank you!
Absolutely. However, in the interest of being stock, is this a 61 or a 74? M-74B is standard and easy on a 74 incher. For a 61 incher, probably a smaller venturi would be required. Remember, in 1949 there were EL's and FL's. EL is 61 cu. inch, and FL is 74 cubic inch.
Pacific Mike Oh Perfect. I got a FL with 74cui. Trank you!
Can you do a rebuild of an S&S E carburetor ?
We'll show it when one comes up. S&S has very complete instructions.
@@pacificmike9501 Thanks for the videos Mike, I really like the way you go through everything. I'm working on a 71 FX 1200 with a 72 motor. First project bike. I have a 2001 1200 Sporty I bought new.
Thank you. Enjoy both your rides.