Motorcycle Repair: 2002 honda shadow spirit vt750 dc carb, honda shadow spirit, honda shadow spirit 750

Question
I recently purchased and installed v&h pipes for a 2002 honda shadow spirit 750.  I also purchased the v&h rejet kit for those pipes.  I have installed the needles in the slides, however i am looking for the location of the jets so i can change those. then after i have installed those and have drilled out the screw and set that by seating and then backing it out x3, how else do i adjust the carb to get it to run properly.

Answer
Hi Bill,

Jet kits get the air-fuel mixtures close. Carburetor tuning is part science, part skill, and part luck. The best advice I can give you is to follow Vance & Hines instructions carefully. I find that additional tuning is sometimes required to correct A/F mixtures to actual environmental variables. Overall, the kits do a pretty good job.

Perform spark plug chops, learn to read the spark plugs and feel performance (power band) to know what changes to make. Make one change at a time when tuning to know what effect each change has made. Be patient when tuning. Sometimes the carbs must be removed and re-installed several times before the A/F mixtures are correct.

I can return tech information files if necessary. Provide your email address as requested. The files will educate you on the principles of carburetion and tuning.

Respectfully,
Mark Shively