Thanks to this site and to those that have created good "how to" sites, I am starting to better understand how our bikes are put together and how different mods affect different performance attributes...However, I still have a few questions.

First, here is the set up on my '03 America.
- Air Injection is gone
- Freak Installed
- Running completely open (no baffle/packing) Off-Road Shorties
- 155 Mains installed
- Carb screw at 3 turns

I talked with the mechanic that originally set up the bike and he isn't sure (I am checking today) if he installed shims for the needles. Not sure of the size of the pilots.

Before the Freak install with 120 Mains, screws at 4.5 turns and everything else above the same, I had very good performance and almost no decelleration sounds (popping or gurgling). After I installed the Freak kit yesterday with 155 Mains, and screws at 3 turns I now am getting moderate gurgling on decel.

I went by the shop yesterday and talked with the mechanic about his suggestions. He said that I should check to see if there are shims installed (he couldn't remember if he had shimmed or not). He recommended that I remove any shims that may be present and give it a try.

My confidence in him is very high and have no complaints at all about advice he has given in the past. However, he is a Triumph Dealer Mechanic and my guess is that this isn't something that he is asked to do day in and day out. If nothing else, I am trying to build my knowledge.

So first, any opinions on tweaks to this set up to get the most out of her and to "clean up" the gurgling? I have been reading more about shims and needles and it appears that a few of you are going with Thruxton needles.

What I can't seem to find (or comprehend from reading lots of posts) is cause and effect related to needles, shims, and pilot screws. For example, if shimming adds more fuel (more rich) what is the impact on things like gurgling, power, etc. Also, am I correct that turning out the screws adds more fuel (more rich)?

If the above is correct, and I assume that popping/gurgling is a sign of being lean, then removing the shim (if there is one) per my mechanics recommendation seems to be going the wrong way.

I greatly appreciate any pointers or thoughts that can be offered.

Thanks,
Steven