First off I'm running a FREAK, 160/42 jets and long Scepters on an '03 Speedmaster. I read on some post about there being 4 screws to hold the tank on, well there's only one and it's a bolt just under the front of the seat. The tank has slots that fit against rubber bushions on the upper underside of the frame. Just undo the bolt and pull the tank rearward and it will come loose. Obviously, take the gauge console off first. BIG NOTE TO ALL...the screws in the tops of the carbs are CRAP! I only managed to strip one...the back right one on the left carb as you're looking at it from the side. Luckily, I could get my small needle-nosed vise grip on it and got it to turn enough to get it out. Note to self...replace screws next trip to the hardware store! I put one shim on the needles and trimmed what I estimated to be one link off the springs then went out for a ride.
Holy $&8*#! It ran like doo-doo. My guess from the sound is it was way too rich...when I gave it throttle it sounded OK, but at an even throttle and constant speed anywhere over 30mph it sputtered horribly and backfired out the carbs occasionally. Back to the house I went totally bummed out! Off with the tank and carb tops. I removed the shims, then replaced everything and tried it again...MUCH BETTER! Throttle response was noticibly different with the springs trimmed and I could feel a definite push at the rear wheel when I shifted that wasn't there before. I almost lost traction turning left after a red light as I shifted from first to second. I also get much less back sputter out the pipes. I didn't really have any backfire before, but had that minor popping on decel everyone complains about. It's almost non-existant now. I'll probably make some minor carb adjustments after I put a few miles on it, but both screws are somewhere around 1.5 to 2 turns out. Sorry, but I adjust by ear, so I stop turning when it sounds right. One thing I didn't do is drill the slides although I don't know if that would have had any impact on the first run. If anyone knows, please clue me in.
Lesson learned here is every bike is different. I duplicated what others had done successfully with the same bike and set up. Didn't work for me...it's all trial and error. Hope this info helps anyone else out looking to do the same.
Last edited by USAFSniper; 04/27/2005 9:13 PM.
