HarleyTechTalk

Technical Forums => Knuck/Flat Head => Topic started by: FlaHeatWave on April 10, 2017, 03:26:49 PM

Title: Best Starting Carb for Knuckle??
Post by: FlaHeatWave on April 10, 2017, 03:26:49 PM
A friend is putting a Knuckle together and needs some advice on what is the best starting Carb??

Don't really care about max performance just want easy starting and smooth running...

I mentioned the CV Kehin...

Any and all suggestions are welcome!

Please include details of what Carbs /Setup / Jetting/ Manifolds Adapters, etc...you guys have had good experiences with??

Thanks,
Ed

Also any other "tips" "secrets" or "fixes" for the Knuckleheads in general would be greatly appreciated :up: :up:
Title: Re: Best Starting Carb for Knuckle??
Post by: HogMike on April 13, 2017, 05:53:04 AM
Don't know if this helps but, I used a s&s shorty E on my '46.
.0295 / .072main
Used some old manifold (don't remember whose) that went from plumbers fittings to 2 bolt carb.
Spaced out the carb to clear the 3.5 gal tanks with stock looking air cleaner.
Used stock twist grip. Replaced stock throttle wire inner with braided cable to work with carb.
Usually gave it one squirt, key off, one kick, key on, slight crack on the throttle and kick.
Started pretty good on fresh engine.
Should have kept that bike😩
Title: Re: Best Starting Carb for Knuckle??
Post by: HogMike on April 13, 2017, 06:11:16 AM
Knuck
Title: Re: Best Starting Carb for Knuckle??
Post by: Brrrap on April 13, 2017, 06:35:53 AM
S&S "E" would be a fine choice for that application.
Title: Re: Best Starting Carb for Knuckle??
Post by: ricochet on September 01, 2017, 06:03:33 AM
There may be a few good choices but I had real good luck with a Mikuni roundslide 38mm carb on my EL chop.  Very consistent starting and ran just fine throughout the range.  Originally it came in a kit from Branch Flowmetrics with a rectangular air cleaner but I switched that piece over to an S & S teardrop.   I later switched over to a Keihin 38 with same results.  Was wondering what all the fanfair was about on those.

FWIW,

ricochet
Title: Re: Best Starting Carb for Knuckle??
Post by: tmwmoose on September 01, 2017, 07:28:36 AM
Ever since the seventies on my Sportsters and Shovels I would remove the electric starts to clean up the looks and always had a SU on them . I used to tell people all I have to do is stare at it and it'll fire right up! Damn reliable carbs
Title: Re: Best Starting Carb for Knuckle??
Post by: Brrrap on September 01, 2017, 11:25:18 PM
You'd be hard pressed to find me commenting negatively otherwise. One would be reasonably assured, an SU is a fine carb for the application.
Title: Re: Best Starting Carb for Knuckle??
Post by: FlaHeatWave on September 03, 2017, 11:26:05 AM
Thanks for the info, Guys :up:

I'll pass it on,,, the project is still "in process" :SM:
Title: Re: Best Starting Carb for Knuckle??
Post by: jimbo304 on September 03, 2017, 01:48:00 PM
   In my 50-year experience with HD, there is no better carb for any V-Twin than the Keihin CV...that is, IF it's properly jetted & tuned for your application. Note: That's a really BIG "if" so be sure you're tuner/setup guy knows his stuff. Just sayin....
Jimbo
Title: Re: Best Starting Carb for Knuckle??
Post by: Hossamania on September 04, 2017, 12:08:11 AM
CV is a great carb, but SUs are sexy!
Title: Re: Best Starting Carb for Knuckle??
Post by: iiggii on May 23, 2020, 11:41:39 AM
linkert with electronic ing.
Title: Re: Best Starting Carb for Knuckle??
Post by: SP33DY on May 24, 2020, 03:00:31 PM
Quote from: iiggii on May 23, 2020, 11:41:39 AM
linkert with electronic ing.

I agree 100%

An old friend (R.I.P) had that setup on his EL Panhead. It was one of the easiest starting bikes I ever saw.