Motorcycle Repair: Carb tuning for new pipes, harley sportster, drag pipes

Question
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Followup To
Question -
Hello again Mike,
         I was told that I would need to TUNE my carb on my 1980 Harley Sportster XLH when installing new exhaust pipes. Is this true and if so how would one go about tuning the carb? The manual doesn't exactly cover this.
Answer -
It depends on what pipes you are installing. What are you putting on?
Mike

No name straight drag pipes. At first they didn't have baffles in them but due to the popping and loud shot gun sounds it made when down shifting and backing off the throttle I put the baffles in. I would like to run without the baffles but don't want to pop off at the wrong moment and get a ticket. Thanks
Geno

Answer
Adding drag pipes does two things. One, it causes you to lose horsepower and two, causes a lean condition. Drag pipes work very well at high RPMs, hence the name drag pipes. I would keep the baffles in, as you need some back pressure on the motor. The otehr thing is the lean condition. What you need to do is riched up the carb by changing the intermediate jet to the next bigger size and test ride the bike. You might have to change the jet several times until you get the right one.
Good luck and happy riding
Mike