Motorcycle Repair: 2004 sportster 1200, bad tire, dyna jet

Question
Hi, I am new to Harley, I have been riding for about 25 years and recently bought my first HD, a sportster 1200 (2004). I have a few questions. 1) I get a "cut out" between 45-50 mph, when not under hard throttle, when under hard throttle it seems to perform fine aside from the "carb farts" that i am told is common with this bike. 2) The front end seems to shimmy when slowing down right at about 50mph to 45 mph but no other time, only in that speed range, no matter what gear. 3) I need a recommendation for a set of pipes that wont break me, something that I could put on my self with out a jet kit, or AC kit, is there such an animal?(I am looking at the vance and hines short shots, but dont know what will need to be done when i put them on.) Lastly, where do i check the tranny fluid? Any help would be greatly appriciated, thanks, Cliff

Answer
Your cut out can be cured by installing a Dyna-Jet kit. You can install this at the same time you do your pipes, due to the fact that if you instll pipes you will have to rejet anyway. Cycle Shak makes great pipes for your bike and will not break you.
Your shimmy is probably from a bad tire, so i would replace the front tire.
The tranny and primary share the same oil. Check it through the inspection plate on the primary cover.
Good luck and happy riding
Mike