Motorcycle Repair: xl 1200c carb issues, dyno jet kit, screaming eagle pipes


Question
 I purchased a 2004 xl1200c with screaming eagle pipes and a free flow air filter.  I was backfiring through the carb (with the air filter off I could actually see an orange flame shoot out of the carb.)  The plugs were black,but not wet.  They appeared to be burnt,but not fouled.  I paid a local shop who came highly recommended(not Harley) to jet the carb.  He charged me $99 to jet the carb($2.80 in parts $97 in labor) I believe he only changed the 1 jet and he didn't actually install and I know he didn't install any type of jet kit. Now,I have the exact same problem except I am $100 lighter.  I have been asking around and I was told that a dyno jet kit was my answer.  As luck would have have it I found a screaming eagle dynojet kit (29045-97B) on a clearance table at Harley($5).  It is missing one jet, which I can purchase  separately if needed(I was told it was the primary which was already done anyway).  I want to know how hard is it to install this myself?  I do all my own work and I am very mechanically inclined, I was just a little hesitant to get into the carb on my bike, however paying someone else to work on it didn't work for me.  I want to pick up where he left off. Is there anywhere you know of where I can find a how to video or a step by step instruction sheet?

Answer
Installing the carb kit is not hard at all. I am surprised that there are no instructions that came with the kit. SInce your plugs are black then you are running rich. Sounds like the shop that did the work overjetted the carb.
You carb has three jets. Air/fuel mixture, intermediate and main jets. At idle the motor runs off the air/fuel. When riding, you got to the intermediate up to around 2500 RPM and then go to the main jet. Your problem is probably in the intermediate jet, since that is where you ride most of the time.
I dont know of any videos and you should be able to get an instruction sheet from your dealer
Good luck and happy riding
Mike