Need some advice, and or friendly opinions : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

GHOST927 · 08-01-2009, 05:33 PM

I recently bought a 1978 Sportster XLH 75th Anniversary.

I got a good deal on it, so not even going to complain about the few bucks I have had to throw into it. So far I have replaced the points with electronic. Replaced lots of seals and gaskets. Changed oil. Put drag pipes on, and have a new chain on the way.

Here is what I need advice on. The local shop here has a mechanic that is a ironhead nut. He has a used Bendix carb he said he would do a carb kit on and install and dial in for me for $75 to $100 tops. The Keihin on it is not CV since it is 78, and it is crap the guy tells me. Can be rejetted and what not for cheaper, but will just have problems with it down the road, plus it doesn't seem to have the power it could have. It's running way to rich now I think because it bogs at high RPMs, and backfires and blows flames, which you can only see at night, but still.

At any rate, my other choice is a brand new Mikuni kit for $280. I have heard good things about the Mikuni carbs and am starting to lean that direction. I don't have the cash flow right now to even think about a S&S anyways, it would cost about $700 to get one with the right mods to make it work right.

So, should I just go with the Bendix right now, or spend the little extra and get the Mikuni?

Big-G · 08-01-2009, 05:41 PM

Can't help ya with your question Ghost, but I'd like to welcome you to the site!

OldMsocko · 08-01-2009, 10:09 PM

Post often.

Shockwave · 08-01-2009, 10:13 PM

If you trust the guy then I'd go with the Bendix. You can always sell it later and get the Mikuni.

GHOST927 · 08-02-2009, 03:16 PM

Thanks for the welcome!

Ya, I been leaning the direction of the Bendix, but reading stuff online on these and other forums, I mainly hear people talk about S&S and Mikuni. Hear some about the stock CV being good with some adjusting, but like I said, mine is a 78 so it's not CV.

From my research I have gathered it would cost me roughly $700 to get an S&S "E" and have it working properly. Where I can spend $280 and have a Mikuni, can get the whole kit from V-Twin MFG.

Seems like the Bendix is going to be alot of adjusting all the time, (Adjustable Main) Where the Mikuni would be a setup and forget. However I have been told it is hard to get a bike to run good all the time with straight drags, so maybe the ability to constantly be able to adjust might be the way to go.

I got a couple weeks to decide because the guy is on vacation, so I got time to figure it out.

claydbal · 08-03-2009, 09:47 AM

fix the exhaust (add slip ons), jet the keihen correctly, and ride!

GHOST927 · 08-03-2009, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by claydbal

fix the exhaust (add slip ons), jet the keihen correctly, and ride!

Appreciate the comment, and I was thinking about just doing a rebuild and jetting it properly, BUT... I was told it was a crap carb and would never get the power and response from that carb. It's not a CV, its a 78.

As far as the exhaust goes, I want her to be as loud as possible, so slip-ons would kinda ruin that wouldn't it?

Shaw_2112 · 08-03-2009, 06:02 PM

hmmmm rebuilt carb tuned and setup up for $100?? Sounds like an easy decision to me..

claydbal · 08-03-2009, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GHOST927

Appreciate the comment, and I was thinking about just doing a rebuild and jetting it properly, BUT... I was told it was a crap carb and would never get the power and response from that carb. It's not a CV, its a 78.

bendix aint CV either is it? mikuni aint CV , S&S aint CV, get the point, anyone that has a clue about jetting and needle work can make the keihen work great. even HD could do it!!

As far as the exhaust goes, I want her to be as loud as possible, so slip-ons would kinda ruin that wouldn't it?

loud as possible? then quit trying to make it run right. go 14 to 1 compression with 2" pipes 12 inches long and run nitro. better yet, just run a honda with no mufflers, a 350 twin should do it.

FXDRYDR · 08-04-2009, 02:43 AM

Nothing sounds as sweet or loud as a Sporty with drag pipes. If classic cool and loud are what you're after, you'll like what you hear!

GHOST927 · 08-04-2009, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by claydbal

loud as possible? then quit trying to make it run right. go 14 to 1 compression with 2" pipes 12 inches long and run nitro. better yet, just run a honda with no mufflers, a 350 twin should do it.

Lol, well I do want to keep some of my hearing.

Let me clarify, I know that the Keihin could be easily and cheaply rebuilt and jetted. I am sure it would then work just as it was designed to do. That is where the problem is, from what I hear, that carb was not designed for power or response.

That is the reason I really don't want to waste any time or money on it. I don't have the cash flow right now to dump $700 on a S&S. So my choices for decent carb come down to a Bendix adjustable main, or a Mikuni. The Mikuni is going to be about $180 more expensive, and from what I read and hear would be a better carb.

Mainly that is what I was looking for, was some advice on which of the two carbs would be better for what I am trying to do.

I want some

GHOST927 · 08-04-2009, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FXDRYDR

Nothing sounds as sweet or loud as a Sporty with drag pipes. If classic cool and loud are what you're after, you'll like what you hear!

It sounds great, right now the main problem is no power on higher RPMs and the response from the throttle is lame. Hence the reason I am looking for another carb.

claydbal · 08-04-2009, 01:35 PM

we are talking about a stock iron head sporty with drag pipes -----right?

GHOST927 · 08-04-2009, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by claydbal

we are talking about a stock iron head sporty with drag pipes -----right?

Yes, well Anniversary Edition, but besides the special paint, not sure what else would be different from a standard sporty of that year.