Shovelhead FXR Carb Swap. CV to Super E Swap and Test Ride. No more bogging down!

[@stephensaunders4668]

A big part of the trouble with jetting carbs is to prevent air leaks into the mixture from poorly aligned inlet ports and the inlet manifold. The shovel barrel has several degrees of rotation in relation to the crankcase and likewise the heads have several degrees of rotation in relation to the barrels. This can allow you to either get it right on assembly or wrong and make it really hard to get the poor design of the inlet manifold band or o ring seals to do their job. If you get a leak, even a small one you will have mixture problems forever and no amount of changing a carburettor is going to alter that. This is compounded by the tight spacing around the inlet manifold. A lot of riders substitute poor jetting with more throttle to get them past a period of revs where the bike isn’t jetted correctly, consigning a perfectly good CV to the parts bin and fitting another carb. One hears all too often that, ‘that carb didn’t work any good’. Good advice would be to align your manifold correctly, have your inlet seals in good order and jet your existing carb properly. An appointment with a dyno and exhaust gas analyser will shock you and probably be cheaper than trying several carbs.

[@chaselentz8738]

Between me and two buddies, we have a total of 5 HDs with CV carbs on them. '37 Flathead, '61 Panhead, '74 Shovelhead, '79 Shovelhead and '03 Sporty. CV carbs are awesome. All of these bikes had S&S carbs with exception of the Sportster. One of the first things we do is take the S&S carbs off and install a CV carb. S&S carbs are OK, but our consensus is that they are overrated. The constant velocity (CV) allows for more precise metering and better running throughout the rev range. S&S carbs really don't do anything better than a CV with the possible exception of the S&S being better for high end, high revving, max effort power. Which is pretty antithetical to what a Harley is if you really think about it LOL. Everything you describe for your troubles with the CV carb suggests: 1.) Need to change jet sizes 2.) The carb needs a good cleaning; paying attention to the jets, enrichener pump circuitry etc. 3.) Mixture screw needs to be adjusted 4.) Vacuum leak 5.) Combination of all of the above.

[@stephensaunders4668]

I jetted my FLH CV using an exhaust gas oxygen sensor and it runs great. Changing a carb to solve a jetting problem is like changing your wife because she puts too much spice in your food.

[@chaselentz8738]

@@stephensaunders4668 LOL that's so true and hilarious. I also started keeping a wideband O2 gauge in my toolbox for testing whatever I'm working on

[@roberteliotsisson7367]

Bravo!!!! In the parking lot of the local Loctite dealer to get some 30535 to hopefully get my head gaskets to seal on my 1972 FX that I rode to law school and the bar exam in the 80’s. I use a restored S&S GBL. Nice Shovel Ya got!! Keep up the good work.

[@Rif_Leman]

The CV on my '99 Softail ran fine, but it never ran great. I had to get much further into the throttle than I should have had to just to keep up with traffic. I had an S&S Super E sitting on the shelf waiting for another bike build, so I installed it on my '99 Night Train. Now she pulls like she should.

[@ironheadsally]

Nice! We got rid of all of the CV’s, when they run good, its great, but a pain in the a$$ when they dont want to do their jobs 🤣🤣 super e all day!

[@radricster]

Now you've got two carbs, you might consider pulling the CV apart and putting the body in an ultrasonic cleaner and putting a rebuild kit on it with fresh jets. Then, when the S&S loads up you can just swap it back on, and do the same for the S&S.

[@greysinclaire]

Those CV carbs man, I swear... Just about everyone I know eventually get away from them, if not swapped already. Just discovered your channel and really liking the content. Super cool to see more females getting involved with the YT bobber community!

[@ironheadsally]

Right?! CV worked for a bit, but so over it lol! Thanks for checking it out and appreciate it 🤘☺️

[@shanedebarra4986]

My CV runs great and gives much better mpg than a Super E ... but dang it's a Fugly carb. The Super E just feels better 😎

[@leonardstanford1877]

I'm an S & S carb guy also but have done several CV carbs on ironhead sportster & shovelhead big twins with success ! One of my friends has a 120 Harmon shovel that never ran good untill he installed a CV on it !

[@seanconnell8027]

'72 Ironhead: I have a hesitation at mid-throttle. I also need to run with 1/4 choke. I have 4 months of down time (winter) so I am checking ignition first. Compression is ok (110 f+r). I've sprayed looking for an air leak; no luck. Last item is to borrow a carb and try that.

[@leonardstanford1877]

@@seanconnell8027 if you have to run with the choke on the pilot jet or if it's an S & S carb the intermediate jet is too small would be my guess

[@seanconnell8027]

Its a Keihin/HD CV.

[@crusoeoctavio]

One more thing, just keep it going with your channel 🤘💪🤜🤛

[@ironheadsally]

Appreciate it! Thanks for the support and yes will have more to come 🤘🤩

[@SaddleTrampTV]

I've got a super e on my shovel. Runs great with it. I use CV's on my evo's; mainly because of long distance riding.

[@jamescain495]

thanks for going Back to American. goodbye metric...love u Ironhead Sally...great channel......

[@walterfechter8080]

S&S Super carbs have come a long way. I ran a Super B on my Pan/Shovel. It was great for a stock bike and if you didn't mind just rolling on the throttle. The only problem I had with the Super B carbs was the fact they didn't have an accelerator pump. I've seen guys install Thunder Jets. They worked okay. The Shorty Bs are definitely more performance oriented. I also had good luck with a Rivera SU on an old 84-inch Shovelhead. I have some pals who run smooth-bore, flat slide Mikuni carbs with great results. It looks as if you got that carb problem fixed. Ride safe, Sally.

[@martinsowerby8074]

brilliant video well done

[@greggwolffis7211]

S&S, and American made!!🇺🇲🇺🇲 All the way!!👍👍

[@ironheadsally]

Woooot!!! 🇺🇸💯💯

[@keeto56]

Sounds good with the S&S.

[@Galaxieshop]

What size jets did u have in carburetor? Pilot and main?

[@petruschkadaverveld5430]

CV carbs are the best for shovelheads

[@bradwiebelhaus7065]

Well done.

[@josephlango2526]

Old video I know but I'm catching up. 68 and 28 im assuming its an 80" shovel what cam dose it have?

[@ironheadsally]

Yes it’s 80” and i’m not sure about the cam, have only had the bike about a year and havent opened anything in the engine yet…a top end rebuild is next, lol

[@muhammadedisantuso1375]

Good Job Beautiful Girl Motorcycle Fans Indonesia

[@keeto56]

I'm wondering why you just wouldn't rejet the CV carb?

[@ironheadsally]

We tried, lol it just wasnt having it. And we have loads of s&s stuff

[@lawrencebrandt8448]

it just needs cleaning and rejetting

[@billmago7991]

Remember your shovel is a tractor, alls ya need is an S&S

[@ironheadsally]

A tractor is for real! Potato potato lol!

[@billmago7991]

​Yep I ride an 82 FLH.... With all its faults I love it​@@ironheadsally

[@zenpro8164]

by chance do you or your husband know minimum rim width size to do a sportster 200 rear conversion? I havent seen anything on youtube about what width size I need, other than diameter 16inch rim, but need width size if you would know by chance...thanks...love your updates...thanks

[@zenpro8164]

oh its a 2001 883 sportster..thanks