OK, can someone break down what VOES does? I know it has something to do with timing...sort of like a vacuum advance unit for your bike...But how does it work. Also, the bigger question is, once it has been removed from the bike, how can it be put back on? Story: When I bought the bike, it had a brand new Super E carb on it, never started with this carb. The owner gave me the original CV carb and the VOES switch and vacuum hoses in a box. I don't know where the switch wires go to and where I can hook the vacuum hose to. The Super E carb has one vacuum port on it. Not sure if it's ported or full manifold vacuum...I have to read up ion it...
Also, My bike HAD california emission on it, I took that crap off a few months ago.
Any help would be appreciated...

I'm not familiar with the California emissions but on other models the switch goes under the tank just over the carb and it mounts on the same side as the carb. there should be two connections under the tank in that location and a small mounting tab for the switch. Only one of those two connectors will fit. You are right in your assesment of what the switch is for. It is a vacuum switch for the advance on the stock ignition system. After market sytems don't use the VOES so check to make sure that the stock or scream'n eagle system is on your bike. If it is you definately need the VOES.
The S&S carb vacuum port will most likely be unported because they are designed to work with the stock harley ignition systems so if there is only one vacuum port than it should be the one you need to hook up to.

I have the Screamin Eagle ignition module. I pretty much looked around the bike, and did find where everything should mount. I found in the wiring diagram in the shop manual, that it connects to the Violet wire from the module. Low and behold, that wire on my bike is about 10" long, was cut and has a small wire nut on it. Why the hell would the guy take it off? I guess he didn't think he needed it.

But I also checked the vacuum operation of it, and it closes at about 5.5"hg. the manual says it should close around 3.5-4.5"hg. Then again, I'm not sure how accurate my gage is...I used one of those Mity-vac guns. Should I just buy a new switch, or put this one back on?

Looked at the carb port, it is full manufold vacuum, port is downstream of the butterfly, just before the intake manufold.

I wonder if the abscence of this switch is wat caused a seeming ignition "miss" at about 4000rpm or so. possible?

Oh ya it will screw up the running of the bike all right. The ignition is in a retarded mode with no vacuum on the switch. This makes the engine easier to start. Once the engine is running the switch will advance the ignition to where it should be to run properly. With out the manual in front of me you have more info on the details to this switch.

Why the guy took it off I don't know but I suspect he reset the timing to try to compansate for the missing switch so if you remount it than set your static ignition timing before you start it. It could be that the switch was faulty and the guy removed it and just reset the timing to make it run.

Try calling him and ask about it. There could be an innocent explaintion. There are lots of back yard mechanics that only think they know what they are doing when they work on their bikes and don't have enough sense to ask about doing something right.

I would get that switch checked with a guage you trust if you don't want to spend the bucks for a new one. The harley mechanic shouldn't charge you for this if you take him the switch.

I spoke to the guy I bought it from today, and he said that he didn't take it off. He said he didn't touch any wiring on the bike at all, and if he took it off with the carb, then he would have labled it. But I think he did take it off not knowing what it is for, and put it in the box. I don't think he knows all that much about bikes, he just had the bike as transportation when he lost his car. He isn't as passionate as we are...I put the switch back on last night. I'm going to take it for a test run after I have my cup of coffee, and will report back...

10-4 buddy. Eagerly await the report. Make sure you retime the bike. If it has been running without it than it will be off for sure. You know what to do.

well, the bike runs smoother, and a bit stronger with the switch in. I had to bring the idle down some...I know it works. When I changed my intermediate jet in the carb from a .280 to a .265, I really didn't feel any difference, and the top end felt sort of lagging. Now it runs great.

To retime the bike, you need to pull the points cover off, right? I don't think it was ever timed because I have the stock rivets in my cover still.
So the motor won't run in the retarded timing mode? or will it just run bad like when you take the vacuum advance off the car distributor? When I put the switch on, the timing must have advanced at idle because I had to lower the idle speed.

also, where is the "timing Mark View plug"? or is it somethingyou have to buy from HD and install for testing puposes? Where does it mount? There's an illustration in the shop manual, but I can't make out where on the engine they're trying to illustrate...

Oh yes they do! HD part # 8699 they are special rivets. Most just tap the holes and put in screws.

If it is running good then don't worry about it too much. A retarded ignition will make the engine run too hot and too advanced and it will PING.

You will need a few things to do a timing inspection. If you want to do it I'll lead you through but there will be a lot of typing involved here. I can try to scan my manual into my computer and send the pages by e-mail. My bike is a 97 but I don't think there is any difference. Someone could let you know on some of the other forums or start one.

Last time I had it tidling int he retarded mode a couple weeks ago, it was idling pretty hot after about 10 minutes. I think I'm going to leave it for now, and when I take it for inspection and a quick once over, I'll have the mechanic (local guy) check it.
thanks very much for your help and insight!

Your quite welcome.

Good luck.