Choosing the Right Evolution Sportster: A Close Look at 1986-2006 Carburetor Systems

[@TexasRiverRat31254]

Thank you for the education! Just got a 2006 1200 and look forward to more content. Have a safe, healthy and prosperous New Year.

[@MotorcycleTechandTravel]

You're very welcome...Let's make 2025 a memorable and safe Sportster year...Best to everyone!

[@bush600r2]

Really interesting overview of carburators Moses. You certainly seem to know your stuff. Wish I had the same mechanical knowledge as you seem to know. My knowledge is basic but I can fix most things as needed out on the field to keep going. Always nice to learn new things. Good luck with your quest to find the right sportster that's going to suit your wants and needs. I look forward to your EFI review too 👍. Thanks Tim

[@MotorcycleTechandTravel]

Thanks for the feedback, Tim! The EFI video will be up later in the day tomorrow (U.S. Pacific Time), looking forward to sharing. We'll see where I land with the Sportster search!

[@sarahborup6573]

The cv carb on the sportster is exceptionally easy to tune!

[@MotorcycleTechandTravel]

Thanks for supporting the CV40 carburetor. It has served Sportster owners very well!

[@megastick9324]

The early Evo sporties were 4 speeds and had wonky charging systems. 95 -06 gets you the 5spd AND better charge system. 04-up you get rubber mounted engine. 07-up you get FI All the Evo Sporties were pretty good BUT there are some that are better choices on the used market. If you just want one , the cheapest are the earliest, but the alternators WILL be an issue. The 5speed is superior for all riding and the updated charge system is a real benefit, I’d personally go 95 and later. The rubber mounted motor was a real plus in 04 for comfort, but 95- 03 are all pretty solid bikes. The 883 , at top end time, can be converted to a 1200 for less than a complete top end job with the bolt on kit and the smaller combustion chamber of the 883 head gives a mild comp bump as well.

[@MotorcycleTechandTravel]

Appreciate the heads up on the alternators and your insightful comments...Many Evolution Sportster models and choices, we'll see where this leads. The 883 is a viable option and candidate for a 1200 kit and tuning like you note...Thanks for your subscription!

[@theodavies8754]

Excellent content. The closed crankcase breather sends hot oil vapour through the air jets where there is no fuel to wash them. The resulting residue can usually be cleaned by spraying carb clean under pressure into the air jets. The standard airbox and exhaust are much more prone to spit back and reversion, which causes fuel mix inside the airbox, which is drawn through the air jets. The operator should understand that the throttle opening on acceleration should be matched to the rpm rather than rapidly opening the throttle and losing the benefit of the pump in the carburettor. Early cv40 have an alloy top,later black plastic top cap required everything to be black so it doesn't stand out as cheap.

[@MotorcycleTechandTravel]

I appreciate the feedback...Your comments on closed crankcase breathing are valuable. The V-twin's 45-degree cylinder angle and single crankpin complicate this further. Many motorcycle manufacturers chase the issue of breather blowback to the air filter and the carburetor(s) getting saturated with oil. Thanks for sharing with the community!

[@theodavies8754]

@MotorcycleTechandTravel The introduction of the intake MAP sensor and ecu ignition map along with cv carb is the sweet spot in development. Later 4 wire coils using ion knock sensing require HD plugs. HD SIP and part numbers are a valuable resource for the introduction date of all but hardware. It's a lot to take in. The 99 FXDL on my channel ran like a dog and had 7 previous owners who survived it by luck more than anything. The tank is vented from the filler neck through a one-way check valve into the frame downtube under the seat. On the efi, it is a non vented cap and closed system. On the carb version, the cap is vented to allow air in. Someone had fitted a non vented cap in error. It's only obvious after I found it, but it obviously defeated everyone else. Symptoms were all over the place on anything but warm dry days, the bonus is a dry miles dyna with an immaculate fuel tank inside and out.

[@MotorcycleTechandTravel]

MAP as feedback for an ECU controlled ignition is a great asset for the CV carburetor. The CV carburetor is as close to air-fuel ratio regulation as we can get with a carburetor. Your point is well taken. H-D is often accused of being stodgy or technology deficient. Not true in any way. The easy to service CV carburetor with electronic spark control met emissions demands without the need for EFI. That's an achievement! HD SIP is a great resource and research platform...It's gratifying to find a problem like the non-vented fuel cap, a straightforward solution-once you became the FXDL's owner!

[@davidnorris5675]

Up to 2003….Carbureted, solid engine mounted motor, most dependable, lightest and easiest to work on

[@MotorcycleTechandTravel]

I'm drawn to the simplicity, lighter weight and the trap door transmission access...Thanks for your comments and subscription!

[@TrentCostello-s4h]

Who let the math teacher 😂 talk bout harleys omg rite 😢 boring a/f

[@MotorcycleTechandTravel]

Thanks for sticking with it...Went a bit long for sure.