Motorcycle Repair: carb rejetting nightmare, hydraulic lifters, valve lifter

Question
QUESTION: I have a 1987 sportster with a 1200 conversion with 883 heads and a S&S super E carb that currently has a .068 main jet and a .024 air idle jet I'm running so rich that I have taken the air fuel screw out 5 whole turns and still it idles with no air cleaner while cold in 50 degree weather so rather than just stabbing in the dark also my valves are ticking quite loud I was under the impression that it has hydraulic lifters so is there a way to adjust them it just recently started doing it at about 900 miles on the new motor any help with these issues would be very appreciated thank you

ANSWER: Turning the screw outward richens not leans. You should be closing it. The intermeidate jet should be around .028. Check the bowl when you were installig the jets and make sure you didnt leave anything out. There is a small blue o-ring that goes ontop of the shaft sticking above the bowl. Make sure its there
Mike

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks the carbs tuned up good now but any suggestions on the valve/lifter adjustment or a opinion of how loud the ticking should be on an EVO (scale of 1-10 1being a freshly shimmed Jap rocket 10 being a cummings diesel) this is my first Harley as you can probably tell I'm used to very quiet liquid cooled four cylinders and the Harley shops only answer seems to be "bring it in for a $250 service I'm interested in learning the workings of this motor but not amped to tear it down 1000 miles in so if there's a way to quiet this time bomb like ticking I would love to know
Thanks in advance
-Mike JR

Answer
There is no adjustment for the lifters. The problem is, the pushrods are on the outside of the bike, so you hear the noise. Lifters in other bikes and cars are internal, and you dont really hear them. They will tick somewhat. I guess on a scale it can be around a 4. The only way to get rid of the ticking is to replace the lifters.
Good luck and happy riding
Mike