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Last Post: oldboy
Posted On: 8 Hours Ago
Replies: 6
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2 Weeks Ago
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Chief Master Mechanic
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Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 481 Sportster/Buell Model: XLH Sportster/Buell Year: 1969 Other Motorcycle Model: Panhead EL Other Motorcycle Year: 1948
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The 38mm Mikuni VM -9 's are good starting carbs. They have an enrichener system which works like choke. When you kick with it on, you don't give it any throttle at all. I've run them on a few panheads, a '59 CH, a'77 shivelhead, and my current '69 XLH. All of my bikes have performed great with them installed.
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1 Week Ago
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XL FORUM TEAM MEMBER
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: ny
Posts: 34 Sportster/Buell Model: sportster xlch Sportster/Buell Year: 1970 Sportster/Buell Model #2: sportster xlh Sportster/Buell Year #2: 73 Other Motorcycle Model: sportster Other Motorcycle Year: 2003
Reputation: 10

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I have 2 Sportsters (70 xlch 73xlh)with vm38 carbs.They are set up identically.The xlch is a 4 kick start(2 kicks key off and 2 key on enrichener on).The 73 xlh enrichener on key on 1 push engine starts.I feel the difference comes down to vaccum created when turning over the engine. Both engines are dialed in and have fresh rebuilds so everything is fairly even.Without an accelerator pump the mikuni requires a strong kick.The carb itself is excellent.Once running the carbs are responsive in all throttle ranges.The issue I have relate to fitment. I wanted to run a turtle tank on the 70 but the top throttle cable interferes with the tank in the stock position. My tillotson fits perfectly.I tried a longer intake manifold but honestly at my age I was killing myself (no need for a gym). Lastly the 70 tach cable rubs the float bowl so it doesn't line up as straight as I would like.
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1 Week Ago
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Senior Custom Bike Builder
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Paradise
Posts: 2,756 Sportster/Buell Model: xlch Sportster/Buell Year: 1977 Other Motorcycle Model: BMW K-1200/GT Other Motorcycle Year: 2004
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Quote:
Originally Posted by leon bee
Well, thanks a lot, that's interesting. It doesn't really compute in my mind, but I believe you. New carbs for these bikes, I'm seeing: S&S for $500, Bendix for $400, or Mic for $100.
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A NEW S&S for $500? Ones I've seen are closer to $700 with shipping/tax
I have one with the S&S jet kit complete and CLEAN I'll let go for half of new price
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If loud pipes save lives....imagine what learning to ride will do for you.
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1 Week Ago
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Senior Custom Bike Builder
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Paradise
Posts: 2,756 Sportster/Buell Model: xlch Sportster/Buell Year: 1977 Other Motorcycle Model: BMW K-1200/GT Other Motorcycle Year: 2004
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sungod
I have 2 Sportsters (70 xlch 73xlh)with vm38 carbs.They are set up identically.The xlch is a 4 kick start(2 kicks key off and 2 key on enrichener on).The 73 xlh enrichener on key on 1 push engine starts.I feel the difference comes down to vaccum created when turning over the engine. Both engines are dialed in and have fresh rebuilds so everything is fairly even.Without an accelerator pump the mikuni requires a strong kick.The carb itself is excellent.Once running the carbs are responsive in all throttle ranges.The issue I have relate to fitment. I wanted to run a turtle tank on the 70 but the top throttle cable interferes with the tank in the stock position. My tillotson fits perfectly.I tried a longer intake manifold but honestly at my age I was killing myself (no need for a gym). Lastly the 70 tach cable rubs the float bowl so it doesn't line up as straight as I would like.
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Want to lose the Turtle?
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1 Week Ago
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XL FORUM TEAM MEMBER
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: ny
Posts: 34 Sportster/Buell Model: sportster xlch Sportster/Buell Year: 1970 Sportster/Buell Model #2: sportster xlh Sportster/Buell Year #2: 73 Other Motorcycle Model: sportster Other Motorcycle Year: 2003
Reputation: 10

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Sorry I have tillotsons and a boatail project.
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1 Week Ago
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Senior Master Custom Bike Builder
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Athens, GA
Posts: 5,456 Sportster/Buell Model: XLCH Sportster/Buell Year: 1962
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Kinda off-track, but... I'm seeing prices for the Super E ranging from $350 - 430 (USD), including shipping and tax. Carb only... How many you want at $700, Mike? I take visa/mc/paypal and of course cash. Free shipping to upstate SC.
I don't see where CH is defined here. If it's a mag CH, it may be a bit harder to kick-start than one with battery ignition. Never seen any bad reviews on a VM38-9.
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1 Week Ago
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Senior Chief Harley Engineer 2nd Class
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Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,663 Sportster/Buell Model: XL Sportster/Buell Year: 1992 Sportster/Buell Model #2: 1978 XLCH project Other Motorcycle Model: Sportster XLH Other Motorcycle Year: 1975
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sungod
I have 2 Sportsters (70 xlch 73xlh)with vm38 carbs.They are set up identically.The xlch is a 4 kick start(2 kicks key off and 2 key on enrichener on).The 73 xlh enrichener on key on 1 push engine starts.I feel the difference comes down to vaccum created when turning over the engine. Both engines are dialed in and have fresh rebuilds so everything is fairly even.Without an accelerator pump the mikuni requires a strong kick.The carb itself is excellent.Once running the carbs are responsive in all throttle ranges.The issue I have relate to fitment. I wanted to run a turtle tank on the 70 but the top throttle cable interferes with the tank in the stock position. My tillotson fits perfectly.I tried a longer intake manifold but honestly at my age I was killing myself (no need for a gym). Lastly the 70 tach cable rubs the float bowl so it doesn't line up as straight as I would like.
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I fitted a Mikuni conversion to my 1978 XLCH. There is an offset manifold which lowers the carb so it doesn’t foul the underside of the tank, this was a Mikuni part but now very difficult to find. Sudco list them occasionally.
https://www.mikunioz.com/shop/mikuni...v=79cba1185463
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6 Days Ago
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XL FORUM TEAM MEMBER
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: ny
Posts: 34 Sportster/Buell Model: sportster xlch Sportster/Buell Year: 1970 Sportster/Buell Model #2: sportster xlh Sportster/Buell Year #2: 73 Other Motorcycle Model: sportster Other Motorcycle Year: 2003
Reputation: 10

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mikuni 38mm
That looks interesting.
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