Motorcycle Repair: Sputtering and backfiring, air fuel mixture, performance pipes

Question
I just bought a 2005 Road Star (12 miles on it). A friend suggested I relocate the ugly side- mounted fuel pump and filter to under the gas tank. After draining and taking off the tank, I re-routing the gas lines. Did not touch the carb or mess with anything else on the bike. (I did have yamaha performance pipes put on with a jet kit at the dealership). Now the bike sputters when revved and backfires on decel. Sometimes loud pops, sometimes small back-to-back pops.  Acceleration seems fine, still. What could I have done? HELP!

Answer
Hi Dean,

The air fuel mixture will need corrected (carb needs tuned) to improve performance.

Jet kits get the A/F mixture in the ballpark, usually. Additional carburetor tuning is necessary to dial-in the A/F mix.

Whoever installs the kit and pipe should correct the A/F mix as part of the install. If they do not know how to tune, don't let them install any parts, especially related to intake and exhaust.

As with many aftermarket mods, you'll lose some reliability with the new parts. The stock design was engineered to work well in a variety of elements and variables. Changing this formula often requires sacrifice of reliability and necessary tuning.

Respectfully,
Mark Shively