Saturday Sportster - Season 1- Episode 8 - CV Carburetor 101 and Installation

This video is brought to you by: www.lowbrowcust...
Saturday Sportsters is back with another installment of tech tip, Toddisms, fun and fantastic knowledge dump about you guessed it the CV carburetor. Todd first shows you how to unlock your air fuel mixture screw with a #chopperhack. Learn how to count the flats and get your air fuel mixture set to the correct factory setting. Todd then shows you the inner workings of the carburetor by taking off the float bowl, showing you where your jets are located, talking about your accelerator pump how to change a main jet and so much more. You will also learn how to hook up your choke know and throttle cables along with installing it all on the Sportster. Oh and at the very end Todd dresses up the Saturday Sportster with a really cool skid plate!
WHAT PARTS WERE USED TO BUILD THE SATURDAY SPORTSTER?
Interested in how to build a custom Sportster, and what parts to use on the build? Well, you made it to the EXACT right place :) Watch the Saturday Sportster and follow along! You can find all the parts used when building the Saturday Sportster at www.lowbrowcus...
PLAYING GAMES WITH TODD MULLER OF LOWBROW - What's almost as fun as working on a bike with Todd in your garage on a Saturday? Playing a fun game and learning from Todd at the same time! Every time you hear Todd let loose with one of his trademark "Whooooo!", and you see Todd's face sticker pop on the bottom right part of your screen, take a drink (adult beverage, seltzer water, chai tea, hey, you do you)! Play along with friends for added fun
If you missed it:
Episode 1 - • Saturday Sportster - S...
Episode 2 - • Saturday Sportster - S...
Episode 3 - • Saturday Sportster - S...
Episode 4 - • Saturday Sportster - S...
Episode 5 - • Saturday Sportster - S...
Episode 6 - • Saturday Sportster -Se...
Episode 7 - • Saturday Sportster - S...
*Editor Note* New episodes releasing Every Other Week.
Episode 9 - Releasing 04.23.22
Episode 10 - Releasing 05.07.22
Episode 11 - Releasing 05.21.22
Want to learn how to soup up your 883 engine by adding a S&S 1200 Hooligan conversion kit? Check out this 4 part series - • How To Install S&S Cyc...

[@larryboy8821]

Want to know why those screws strip so easily? It's because they're not phillips, they're actually Japanese Industry Standard (JIS). Get the right tools and they don't strip.

[@ericweber1969]

Agreed! I have Vessel JIS drivers, they’re the best!

[@waltwise2456]

I was just going to post about using a JIS screwdriver. Obviously they work fabulously in JIS screws, but they ALSO work great in regular Phillips screws…better than a Phillips screwdriver in fact. It’s amazing how few people know about JIS. I had never heard of it until I bought a Goldwing and the guy at Cyclemax says “Do you have JIS screwdrivers?” I was like “What’s that?” I’ve even talked to service managers that had never heard of JIS! As I understand it, Phillips was originally invented so that screws could be tightened to a specific torque by machine and when the approximate torque was reached the driver would “cam out”. Which makes perfect sense if you’ve ever noticed how a Phillips screwdriver likes to cam out of Phillips screws! LOL You can “kinda” simulate a JIS tip by SLIGHTLY grinding down the end of a regular Phillips. It’s not truly JIS because the JIS profile is more complex than that, but it does make a difference. I don’t buy any screwdrivers anymore unless they are JIS.

[@XenaTheQuadCamBikah]

Or do like most of us on the XL forum who are still running a CV carb have done and replace those screws with allens.

[@grrrit1]

I was so frustrated when I learned about JIS drivers. Lol after a few years of servicing cnc lathes and more stripped screws than I care to admit, another tech casually mentioned them. Lol

[@MUCKFOOT399]

wtf😠

[@chadwickciampo3634]

Love this channel. I was able to put on my hammer 1250 kit watching your videos. The hammer videos are good too but they all engine out of bike. You doing the install with engine in bike and showing little tips and tricks made it a breeze. My first engine build! Honestly thank you!

[@DEATHMETALCYCLE]

What jet sizes did you use and what year bike?

[@chadwickciampo3634]

@@DEATHMETALCYCLE 2018. So it's a canbus fuel injected bike. No carb so no jets. I used the dynojet power vision with break in tune and running tune from hammer that came with my big bore kit. Honestly after getting it professionally tuned it was a so much better. But yea sorry. Im fuel injected. I do remember they gave me bigger injectors in my kit. I don't remember the size though.

[@cfcasazza]

The problem with drilling out the jets is the next guy who opens up the carb has misinformation on what jets are in the bike. His starting points for any changes are wrong.

[@Ricky-mouser]

That's why you need number drills, I check'm all

[@peteloomis8456]

When doing mods it's always a good idea to write it all down in your manual or make a diary of sorts to keep the information on this so if needed you can look back or if you ever sell the bike the new owner has all this information on hand .

[@wortheffort]

You said you bumped up/enlarged main jet but didn’t ID if you were working with 42 or 45 and what went to or say alternative purchase size.

[@ericweber1969]

Agreed, please let us know what size you increased the pilot jet to. I think he said he went to a 185 main, not sure what the drill bit size creased the 42 to.

[@lowbrowcustoms]

this is a good guide to keep handy cv-performance.com/harley-pilot-jet

[@rebel_ltz]

22:10 Is that Amanda? We want her back.

[@kurtfoulke5130]

Good eye Dude 👍

[@RockyMountain4x4]

Todd is a wealth of knowledge holy cow. From one old hippie to another he simplifies things very well

[@mysticapprentice]

14:25 "no mystery there" I really appreciate that: so often you'll come across people who purposely don't share knowledge, and I get that they gotta make a living, but it's still a wrong attitude. Respect for Todd & Lowbrow 🤜🤛

[@jefferybye2169]

Awesome i been waiting for your video today like i do every Saturday..great job..like always..🤙🤘👍☠💀🍻

[@georgesnuffleupagus7920]

I Love this fucking show

[@MrBoehol]

I use to replace the four M4 bowlscrews for stainless Allenbolts .

[@irishguyjg_2ndchancerecovery]

Minnesota here its 39 degrees, I cheated and got a Vance&Hines FP3 on my sportster iron, can't wait to get out and run some tune sessions so I can be ready for ride season. LOVE THIS SHOW! TODD ROX, LBC4LIFE

[@maxdavies5776]

Theres an old guy made a twin carb alloy harley casting for the double barrel side draft.- webber. - just needs 1 diaphram off car carby - external to adjust mixture.

[@peteloomis8456]

That sounds similar to what Edelbrock used to make back in the early 90s but stopped making them . A old school buddy I know has one on his hopped up big twin Evolution lowers super glide & it runs hard enough to beat some modded twin cams pretty easily .

[@theodorewood5083]

Lowwwwwbrow! Another great episode.

[@irishguyjg_2ndchancerecovery]

Yeah dude

[@bernardspillane5948]

hmm, what would u recommend for ironhead 900 andrews pbplus cams, two into one exhaust with muffler and super b carb;;;;;;;;;;;;jetting,,ps, i aint there on me thing yet but will be at least by may,,thanks

[@peteloomis8456]

Contact S&S because they have manuals that show basic tuning & jetting on the engines . Super B carburetor might be too big for a 900 because if I remember that's basically a drag carburetor for racing . You have to remember that on a 900 that hasn't had any head porting or flow work done along with stock sized valves or compression bumped up with a big carburetor on it throttle response will be sluggish until the engine gets up higher in the RPM range where flow is high enough in the heads to over come the bigger throat size of that B carburetor even if you jet it way down . In all honesty I think you would be better off with either the CV carburetor if you can find a intake manifold that will allow it to be used on the iron head as it's mounted different than on the Evo sportster's intakes are or stepping down to the S&S super E that has a smaller diameter throat size so throttle response is much better at all lower to mid speeds right up to top end which is better for the street because it makes the bike more tractable where a bigger or too big of carburetor has low speed and mid speed sluggishness but makes good power wide open at high RPM as long as the jetting is correct or close which isn't what you want because you will be reving it all the time hard . The other thing is with a larger carburetor that's jetted too fat that causes poor fuel economy plugs that will turn black & foul plus you will get ring wash from the excessive unburnt fuel in the cylinders especially at lower speeds and RPMs and ring wash wears out cylinders and rings quickly because it's washing the oil that's needed to lubricate the rings and cylinder walls . I probably have a jetting manual for my S&S super E for it but you should be able to either look online or call S&S in Lacrosse Wisconsin and talk to someone in the tech dept on jetting that should get you close . Depending on what compression ratio you have or if the heads were modified ported big valves flowed on a flow bench plus the pipe and ignition used the jetting going to be different than a totally stock 900 would be and you will have to test & tune but the best way would be taking it to a shop and have it dyno tuned. Also these old Iron heads keep an eye on the intake seals and make sure that the carburetor is mounted solid on both sides if possible because these engines the intake seals are only held on with hose clamps and if the carburetor isn't mounted solid with brackets to the engine or head that will cause the seals to leak or worse yet the carburetor will come loose and fall off while riding it plus leaking intake seals will cause a severe lean mixture which can cause engine damage if not fixed . On the evolution big twin and sportster those use a totally different intake seal design plus instead of using band or hose clamps they use a cast aluminum pressure clamp that bolts onto each head that pushes the intake and it's seals into the convex that's machined into the intake and each cylinder head to push it & lock it into place then a bracket that bolts to the front of the carburetor that also bolts to both heads keeps the carburetor from moving at all so on the evolution engines they had much fewer leaky intake seals than the old Shovel head big twin or the old Iron head sportster engines were having issues with years ago . I had a built stage 3 1000 Iron head that I had the heads sent out and done like a top fuel nitro head work done big valves ported & flowed as per spec sifton valve springs with a sifton black widow cams designed for 10:00 and higher compression stoke stroke but 0.30 over bore using torque plates while boring then final hone to make sure the cylinders stayed round . Roller rockers lightened push rods all balanced blue printed with a Garry bang hp clutch spring and Barnett kevlar series clutch's and replaced the stock gears in the transmission with Andrews back cut gears which are stronger and make shifting much smoother to a point I could power shift it at 7000+ and not use the clutch once moving with no missed or clunking shifts and used a S&S super E with a Thunder jet to add a 4th circuit plus python anti reversionary pipes and a dyna tech 2000 programmable ignition set up for single fire and once tuned on the chassis dyno it was making close to 130 hp at the wheel and would pull hard to 7,500 so they can make good power if parts are well thought out to use before hand .

[@bernardspillane5948]

@@peteloomis8456 super b is fine for this, i already ran it but with dragpipes with thymbscrews,,,gas eater though,,thanks for th tip

[@tfjack97]

Another informative Saturday morning, enjoy the hell out of your videos, look forward to every new Saturday morning video buy Todd, you are just so laid back doing this project, Thanks for the videos, it makes my day.

[@tonedic]

What size was the drill bit Todd?

[@jessevargas8181]

I've been learning SO MUCH from watching this series. Can't wait to put this knowledge to use. Also, will def be buying more from Lowbrow just for putting this out to share with us gear heads. Ya'll the real Gs out here

[@waltwise2456]

In case someone needs to order them, the “little clips” are called “ferrules”.

[@Chris-yy7qc]

1:20 These plugs are found on a lot of bikes, because the manufacturers have to make the a/f ratio "tamper proof" in order to be allowed to sell their bikes in certain markets. Theis might not be mandatory in the US. But the regulations in the EU call for that. And I guess Harley wants to keep their stock simple and only hold 1 carb for all different markets.

[@peteloomis8456]

HD has been doing this since the late 70s early 80s on the crappy Keihin carburetor they used on the bikes being a big twin shovel or the big twin Evolution and Evo sportster's . They would plug the idle mix screw like these CV carbs but also has limited jets sizes for the intermediate & main jets plus no adjustable pump shot so not much a guy could do with them performance wise compared to the CV that came out later . After screwing with both that were installed on my 84 XLS Roadster and my 86 FLHT and having issues with them not performing after years of use I bought a new S&S super for each and never looked back . The sportster I had built as a stage 3 engine & added the Thunder jet to it to add another fuel circuit and once tuned on the dyno it was making well over 130+ hp on pump gas. I tried a SU eliminator carburetor at one time on the sportster when it was stock other than some drag pipes that was a CV style carburetor and it definitely made the bike run better than the Keihin as well as power but the damn tickler which is used to flood the carburetor being it doesn't have a choke or a accelerator pump the diaphragm that's used for it kept ripping so it wouldn't work which caused hard starting when cold . It was also supposed to have a bimetallic valve inside to compensate for elevation and cold weather and I found out that didn't work worth a crap especially in cold weather trying to drive the bike when it was in the 30 degree days and a tad warmer . The other thing is these use a piston to move the slide up and down and every once in a while you had to drip a little oil down into the piston by unscrewing the main jet nut that's on top of the piston housing to lubricate the piston because it was made of aluminum and not plastic or rubber like these CV use . They look cool but for what I paid for it back in the 80s wasn't worth the hassle or how unreliable it was in cold weather so I went to S&S & they were much better and more consistent . I belong to a local car club and we have a mini sprint car that's on display in the place and it's powered by a Buell 1200 cc engine that's been modified that makes over 100+ hp and it uses a S&S super G with a thunder jet on the carburetor also and it's very quick and a blast to drive when we take it out each year to show it when we have our yearly car show at the club and people love it being it's just a smaller version of a real full sized sprint car with a fuel cell electric fuel pump roll caged chrome molly tube chassis and the wing on it .

[@Elvirth24]

I run one of these on a single carb converted 1982 Yamaha Virago and mine doesn't have that extra plastic nipple on the engine side of the carb. What is that for?

[@bettywhite1229]

I am severely concerned about the amount of Woooo's in this video. 2 is not enough for me, there I said it, I'm sorry

[@lowbrowcustoms]

Todd cant wooooo all the time ahahha.

[@Ask-me2]

You can always take a shot when you think he should had wooh but didnt.

[@groovee63]

You're an awesome dude ! Thanks for sharing your smarts ..My first Harley was a Sportster...10 years later, bought a Fatboy which is a wonderful ride, my opinion Harleys best work..(except for the tensioners)..Recently sold the FatBoy and I'm keeping my Sportster for sentimental reasons..Top heavy BUT rides as good as my FatBoy did..(sorta)...Thanks man!!!

[@mynamedoesntmatter9013]

Meanwhile, the Amazon knockoffs: literally the same castings as the OEM and DON’T COME WITH THE INFAMOUS PLUG

[@davidmcfaull3162]

Hmm,. Just wondering about that “plug” in the carb.. it looks like a Kehlen carb, made in Japan.. they usually come in banks of three or four. One of the carbs will have the air mixture blanked off and used as the “permanent set” carb.. when balancing, all of the others get set to that one.. im wondering if all of the “Harley” carbs are blanked?

[@EliteGeeks]

Mixture plug was done because of the federal laws ( EPA ) , users can remove the plug but it was to deter people from changing it, since you aren't allowed to alter to the emissions of the vehicle

[@huutee1]

This is great information. i have a couple old basket case 883 sportys. Not sure if they are worth the cost of rebuilding the engine. What should it cost to redo the crank bearings if it is taken down to the cases?

[@michaelnelson9140]

Drilling out that pilot jet probably works fine, but you’re making a video, that a lot of people are watching. I think it’s misleading at best, that you would show us how to do that! You know some people will screw its up. You should have been more prepared. Also, in the future , if someone needs to change it again. It’s still stamped with the original size. Which will be confusing. Maybe tell the viewer to file off the original size. Otherwise, good video. I need to get into one of these come spring, that I think has a needle, seat stuck shut.

[@joec1962]

I adjusted my float because it was set a little lean from the factory. Just be careful because the little rod holding the float slides out and back in one way. Some CV carbs have an arrow on the body to let you know witch way to tap it out.

[@Guru4hire]

I expect its more like the Government doesn't want Harley Davidson to want you to fiddle with the Air Fuel Mixture. Something Something Emissions.

[@shovelhead1974]

The aluminium piece between the skidplate I would've painted black. Just saying

[@robertryan8178]

Hi i have an 883r ,does the carburetor slide go up and down when engine not running ,having did idle but stop under load thought i was vacuum on fuel petcock but replaced it ,ran for a bit but now stalls and wont restart cheers rob

[@mylqt100]

Adding a Harley mini tach to a 2005 sportster 1200, where does the pink wire go, it has a male plug on it as to plug it in. The pink wire is only 15 inches long, the other 2 wires are the hot and ground that you for your help

[@patriotichunter6434]

Have an informative question. Why the CV as opposed S&S ? I bought 20004 sportster custom had same carb as you took off that bike that I hated, but everyone said go with S&S and it was great for the two years I had bike until sold to son of guy in our riding group. Love the content

[@lowbrowcustoms]

CV is what comes on Sportsters it just works best. but you can dial in an S&S. sometimes they run a bit colder on a Sporty and Todd just prefers a CV on a Sporty.. Its all preference and your comfort of tuning etc. YOU DO YOU

[@dennisharrison4744]

Thats the way most kiethin carbs are i broke one on a 96 kdx 200 carb wouldnt drive out

[@adamm1072]

I like how the choke was routed

[@ZipKickGo]

Great video, tons of info, the camera moving around always and going out of focus is a little distracting but great nonetheless.

[@Srnichols]

Whoo

[@Ask-me2]

As always, GREAT step by step instructions! Lovng you Todd and Lowbrow Customs

[@jobucklandbuckland8031]

great content , evening a mechanic i still learn something every week , so big thanks to Todd

[@StainedGlassDIY]

I don’t know why I went to school. This is GOLD! Thank you for the knowledge.

[@lawrencebrandt8448]

I had one that spayed off center ,easy fix . for got is that 38 or 40mm

[@ka-bar5060]

Saturday night with Todd....it's a date...Whoo!

[@MegaBruceC]

Reason HD uses the pinch clamps over the gear clamps is cost!

[@dennisharrison4744]

I got slide hamer thing i made i use on hondas to a lot carbs got them

[@jobeta22]

Another snowy Saturday morning, but you guys are to our rescue. Thank you!!!!!

[@JIMBOBALOU]

Are you from Wisconsin? Cuz it''s been a shitty spring up here.

[@dennisharrison4744]

I pulled one them plugs the screw was loose backed out lol

[@kurtfoulke5130]

You installed the Skid Plate but it's not listed as a part that you sell for that year group

[@lowbrowcustoms]

www.wwag.com

[@ericosborne9267]

Another fine video on a cold ohio day whoo!

[@stinde666]

Snowing here too , need that choke relocate bracket 👍🏻 getting frustrated cos the bloody snow won’t melt 🥲

[@stinde666]

So the bracket’s ordered , thanks for the tip 🙏👊🏻

[@Augcliffe]

My Yamaha virago had a plug that needed drilled out too

[@chip9832]

✌️

[@ericweber1969]

Bumping the pilot up one means going from 42 to 43? Or some other increment? Please clarify in the comments, love the show, that’s an important detail for carburetor newbies. Thanks!

[@lowbrowcustoms]

this is a good guide to keep handy cv-performance.com/harley-pilot-jet

[@davidhork1471]

Love your videos! Very informative, I've been watching them all day. Thinking about doing the 1200 S&S kit like you did here with the cams as well.. or possibly the hammer 1250. what pilot jet would you recommend for either kit? TIA.

[@rozerdozer718]

The best! Enjoying the build!

[@gregorykucera4235]

Great video. Thanks man

[@Ask-me2]

Everytime I come across those, I replace those clips to screw clamps . I think The only reason they use those is for looks. I see no other reason. I hate those!!

[@frankfortino9820]

They are much cheaper and on the assembly line it's much quicker to install.

[@Ricky-mouser]

They're probably better clamps, those aviation clamps, I call'em, on small diameters, can't pull round because the gear mechanism gets in the way. I thought about getting set up but to expensive for me. I like the spring clamps but not the cheap ones.

[@LOVE-JC777]

That carb is probably set for a 88ci came with 190 main jet. My Dyna was terrible ( shutter) mid range had to shimmed the needle jet… after adding high flow air filter and slipped-ons

[@toddj.8245]

Great video I just picked up a 89 Sporty 883 Hugger and it had a cheap knock off carb found a oem carb on ebay and got carb put in bigger jets and fixed a manifold leak and bike is running so good Quick tip if u get a bike with Chinese knock off carb and replace it to OEM (witch i highly suggest ) the cables on knock off carbs dont work on OEM Harley carb so get new throttle cables

[@sportsterjaykline1913]

Where did you find a brand new HD cv carb???

[@lowbrowcustoms]

eBay

[@2ndborn186]

Great info.Thanks

[@dieselrotor]

That's funny. I have that exact same micro drill index set. I would hate to think of My life without it. I've saved and made so much money because of it. Been riding since 1977 and I love Sportsters, always seam to return to them. Thanks for this channel Brother, enjoying it.

[@mbsnyderc]

Why would you prefer the CV over the Mikuni on a scrambler type bike I would think the better throttle response on the Mikuni would be better.

[@maxdavies5776]

Nice atomization & ecconomy & performance. - performance badboy heads. Recommended build.

[@maxdavies5776]

2x smaller CV carbs & balancer tube inlet manifolds between 2 carbs. Better performance & ecconomy.

[@huutee1]

whoo

[@DexterFishbourne]

All Hail Todd.

[@MUCKFOOT399]

I did this and I died!

[@michaeldunn9018]

Thank you for taking the time to make this video! Incredibly detailed and helpful!

[@maxdavies5776]

The balancer tubes link mixture diaphragm.

[@toddj.8245]

Great video so easy to follow great explanation of carb and jets

[@michaelnelson9140]

Me again

[@maxdavies5776]

Then we have 3 pount carb . Piccalo oboe bass

[@josephhernandez1715]

O

[@forest7430]

Yawn 😂

[@keedozslumz4480]

I like running the cables in between the fork tubes

[@Ask-me2]

!!!!!

[@garmaatack]

Yoooo where the episode att

[@lowbrowcustoms]

Releasing episode every other week on Saturdays Episode 9 drops 4.23.22

[@lukealvarez530]

Todd never gets rattled. :) great videos.

[@joegarcia1189]

Wow dude great video!👍🏽

[@dscott501]

I want to know what keeps that carb from falling off. Am I missing something? I’m not familiar with sportsters

[@glengerdes4158]

The air cleaner assembly, on stock bikes. To run a modified air cleaner there is a small bracket you need to buy. It threads into the breather holes on the head.

[@lowbrowcustoms]

you need to use a carb support bracket and we suggest using breather bolts in the heads to hold it on etc.

[@georgieporgie490]

Worth watching.