Carb Dilema

[holmanrd]

Hello Folks, long time lurker first time poster.

Started an 84 Softail build and the S&S Super E on it has a jacked up housing. Every option I am finding is putting me in the $250-$500 range for a carb.

I would love to spring for a new carb but I have a bet with the boss lady that I would have it rebuilt and going for less than a grand. And that will cut into my powder coat and paint $$ (Sucking her in so I can sneak my next project bike past her)

I have every one of my "bike" friends out looking for a housing but coming up dry.

Options, $250 just for a housing, $300-$500 for another Super E, Cut bait and grab a CV and housing for ? $200 ?

Any other options?

[armand]

“Started an 84 Softail build and the S&S Super E on it has a jacked up housing”

Somebody please help this 64 year old (me) understand what a jacked up housing is.

[holmanrd]

armand, sorry about that.

Carb Body. Not the bowl, not the intake just has a non-usable body.

[markwade74]

Quit worrying about paint and powder and buy a carb.

You wanna look pretty or run?

Not trying to be a dick, it's just who I am

[holmanrd]

markwade74, I hear ya. I speak the same language.

Just a lot of rust and neglect. Most of the bike is sound just a whole bunch of cosmetic.

[Tattooo]

markwade74, I hear ya. I speak the same language.

Well good for you both................

[Sky]

California prices must be outrageous
250 for a carb "housing"?!
Only way I know of to buy a carb body is used.
Go to a swap, buy a used CV. Don't pay more than $100

Pro tip:bring a couple of screwdrivers so you can inspect the inside of the carb.
And don't show up in expensive clothes or in a fancy car.
I know I raise the prices when I see a hipster dripping in the latest chopular fashion. And I feel no shame in taking an extra bill out of their hand-tooled leather wallets.

[holmanrd]

250 is the S&S and any other web site price.

I already have folks looking but finding just a body or a box of parts ain't turning up anything.

Swap meets have been dry for parts as well.

Looks like I will be going the CV route. There are a few classifieds around with decent prices.

[farmall]

California prices must be outrageous
250 for a carb "housing"?!
Only way I know of to buy a carb body is used.
Go to a swap, buy a used CV. Don't pay more than $100

Pro tip:bring a couple of screwdrivers so you can inspect the inside of the carb.
And don't show up in expensive clothes or in a fancy car.
I know I raise the prices when I see a hipster dripping in the latest chopular fashion. And I feel no shame in taking an extra bill out of their hand-tooled leather wallets.

Quoted for truth!

Buy a Vessel JIS screwdriver. The screws on CVs aren't Phillips. I have a couple of these and give them out as Christmas gifts to my mechanic bros.

https://www.amazon.com/Bessel-Vessel-Difference-Screwdrivers-No-220w-3/dp/B00E55DL4I?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_5

CVs are great carbs. Study the market (Ebay, Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace) and learn how to score deals. If you get a CV you'll need the complete intake manifold or a flange adapter to use the S&S intake.

Example exploded parts breakdown:

http://partsfinder.onlinemicrofiche.com/ronnies/showmodel.asp?Type=13&make=hdmc&a=175&b=7&c=0&d=1994%20FXLR%20Low%20Rider%20Custom%20(EL)%20CARBURETOR%20ASSEMBLY

[Guest]

i bought a brand new replica CV on ebay for 50 delivered. It was very well built, clean as a whistle inside and came with an assortment of jets and a fuel filter. The bike runs better with it than the old Harley CV carb that was on it before

[IowaChop]

i bought a brand new replica CV on ebay for 50 delivered. It was very well built, clean as a whistle inside and came with an assortment of jets and a fuel filter. The bike runs better with it than the old Harley CV carb that was on it before

I have always wondered about those carbs...

[holmanrd]

i bought a brand new replica CV on ebay for 50 delivered. It was very well built, clean as a whistle inside and came with an assortment of jets and a fuel filter. The bike runs better with it than the old Harley CV carb that was on it before

I keep seeing those CV's and Super E's on ebay but I have heard some horror stories with them. Haven't had the stones to try one. Glad you got a good one.

If the swap meets and parts bins don't turn anything up I may grab one. Might just be a good donor body for the rest of my parts.

[farmall]

If you buy one it's easy to disassemble and inspect it, then assemble and leak check it off the bike. Carbs should actually be as cheap as they sell for on Ebay because it doesn't cost more to machine them properly. Bike shit gets a much higher markup than car shit.

[montuckymatt]

I I second the cv.

[nuklhd]

Yep, go with a used cv.