440 Keihin Carb Alternative?

I recently bought a 1981 440 LTD and it runs okay, but I think it's running too rich. It bogs down after a few miles of running at highway speeds, and it stalls at idle unless I crank up the stop screw way above the normal position. Not to mentino that I got 36-38 mpg on an all-highway commute; using a bit too much gas.

I was planning on getting it tuned - or attempting to tune it myself - but I have heard many bad things about the stock carburetors that they ran on these bikes. It was recommended to me that I replace my Keihin 1391 SJ29 with a Mikuni carburetor, but I'm not sure where to start in finding a Mikuni that would be compatible with the engine.

I assume the "29" in "SJ29" means 29mm bore? Do I look for a CV or a VM carb? If you think it sould be worth it to stick with the stock Keihin and try to tune it up, let me know. Otherwise, any advice pertaining to this topic would be appreciated.

Austin

Austin440 wrote: I recently bought a 1981 440 LTD and it runs okay, but I think it's running too rich. It bogs down after a few miles of running at highway speeds, and it stalls at idle unless I crank up the stop screw way above the normal position. Not to mentino that I got 36-38 mpg on an all-highway commute; using a bit too much gas.

I was planning on getting it tuned - or attempting to tune it myself - but I have heard many bad things about the stock carburetors that they ran on these bikes. It was recommended to me that I replace my Keihin 1391 SJ29 with a Mikuni carburetor, but I'm not sure where to start in finding a Mikuni that would be compatible with the engine.

I assume the "29" in "SJ29" means 29mm bore? Do I look for a CV or a VM carb? If you think it sould be worth it to stick with the stock Keihin and try to tune it up, let me know. Otherwise, any advice pertaining to this topic would be appreciated.

Austin

Hello, Austin, and WELCOME to KZrider!

Still using the stock airbox, or has the airbox been replaced by fitting an individual aftermarket pod filter on each carb?

Good Fortune!