Sportster starting/running issues

I have a 98 883 sportster, but it running and rode it for about 2 months. I replaced the stock tank with a sportster one from lowbrow and a new gas cap. I didn't run a vent line going to the top right side of the tank but instead drilled a small hole on the plastic part on the underside of the cap to get rid of the pressure. Ran good for a while but then starting dying on me whole riding. I put the stock air cleaner back on and replaced the plugs because it was running lean. The plugs helped for a bit but them it dyed on me again, to the point where I couldn't get it to start. I went to the dealership and got a 45 jet and a 170. Put those in, cleaned the carb a bit and tried to start... Still nothing. The aluminum cap over the mixture screw was already gone so someone had already messed with the carb. I turned it in so it was lightly seated then 2 and a half turns out. Still nothing so I spritzed some gas on the carb and it fired up, but reved to full throttle, even with choke in all the way, and throttle "adjuster" all the way out. Kept doing this even when I turned the mixture screw further and further out. Backfired through pipes and now I have absolutely no clue. I am definitely in over my head here and could use some suggestions.

make sure its actually getting fuel. Check the push rod adjustment.Thats where I would start

Sounds like the problem may be gas getting from the tank to the carb. Is the float bowl filling up? Is fuel getting past the petcock to the carb? For shits and giggles try taking the cap completely off the tank. Might be getting some sort of vacuum lock? Plugged up petcock or fuel line?
When you changed the jets did you clean the rest of the carb? First step would be to ensure fuel is actually getting to the carb.

Edit; Gunterjaeger beat me to it.
yea what he said.

What kind of cap are you using? Those tanks should be set up to be vented in the bug already, you just need a stock screw in cap.

Im just using a stock cap that i drilled a small into the underside plastic part. It was hissing before i did this when i took the cap off so i figured it wasnt vented properly. I ended up getting it started, rode around the block perfectly, I let it cool down then in went to ride to my buddys house and i didnt get a half mile before it bogged out again. im pretty sure all the mixture screws are set correctly. It does seem like gas isnt getting to the carb, maybe a gravity feed petcock would solve the problem? Or did the hole i drilled mess up the amount of pressure that is needed inside the tank?

Possibly some sort of vacuum issue. I'd run a gravity petcock with a vented cap and you should be gtg.

alright cool, thats what i was thinking. Anyone know a decent one?

Lowbrow sells the 22mm petcocks either exit bottom, left or right. They are all gravity style. They will fit in that tank.

Perfect, thanks

Originally Posted by Gunterjaeger

make sure its actually getting fuel. Check the push rod adjustment.Thats where I would start

Pushrod adjustment......It's an Evo.

I got a gravity feed petcock from the dealership today, gonna try that out and hopefully thats it. If not then ill check out the pushrod. Are they hard to adjust for a novice?

I REALLY doubt its your push rods, especially with the other things you've been saying thats going on with it.

Originally Posted by rwc1313

I got a gravity feed petcock from the dealership today, gonna try that out and hopefully thats it. If not then ill check out the pushrod. Are they hard to adjust for a novice?

You have an Evo Sportster with hydraulic lifters. They are not adjustable. Your bike came with a vacuum operated petcock. If you got rid of the vacuum line there's your problem. It will not let fuel flow.

Petcock seemed to be the problem, rode a couple of miles with no real issues, probably need to adjust the carb a little. Also, because I got rid of the vacuum line from the old Petcock to the carb, should I plug the nozzle up that is like a 2 into 1 going into the carb. It's sucking air in

Yes . This is a vacuum leak that will lean your mixture. Plug the open end that is "sucking air".

Cool thanks

Alright sorry to bring up an old thread but I have another question. I put a 175 or 178 and a 45 slow in my carb, cleaned it out a bit and tried adjusting the mixture screw. I can ride but it'll pop back through the carb sometimes and then randomly after rising bog out and die. I do however have the stock air cleaner on with I think stock pipes, or at least almost stock. Is it running too rich and flooding when I give it a lot of gas? I ordered the moon eyes louvered air cleaner which should be a lot less restrictive, would this help?

Popping back through the carb is usually a lean condition, or over advanced timing.