Motorcycle Repair: non stock carburator, reed valves, race bikes

Question
Falcon,
Customizing a Suzuki VS 1400.  Re-routing the intakes to the side where I will  monut two carbs,,, I'm making all this myself.  Since none of this is going to be stock I can put on what ever carbs I decide on.  Not planning on racing the bike or anything like that.  Really looking for decent carbs that are fairly small in width (distance from inflow to outflow)  Not interested in spending a lot of cash for some "hot" name brand.  Want something that makes sense.  Intake on at the head is 1.6" ID.  Can you suggest something?   

Also,, why do most motorcycle carbs have a slide mechanism when most other carbs have butterfly works?

Thanks!
Dwayne

Answer
Hi Dwayne.
 As far as what carbs to use, I wouldn't really know.  Outside of some body and frame work, customizing engines is a bit out of my experience.  I prefer to leave well enough alone.  But that's just me.  For that question, I would find a shop that does custom engine work and talk to them.

Now, as far as the different carb operating mechanisms, that is due pure and simple to advances in design technology coupled with the needs of the specific application.  If you take a look at the bikes that the different types are on, you will notice that newer, higher performance race bikes have the reed valves, slightly below that (cruisers and touring bikes) have the slides, and for the easy going cruiser bikes and all of the older bikes (70's and earlier) have the butterfly valves.

Good luck on your modification.
FALCON