i have a 2000 model with screamin eagle exhaust, 155 main jet and a 55 pilot.  has been running fine, maybe a little on the rich side.  i rode 200 miles today and at cold start it runs fine with the choke on the first click, after it is warm it runs fine as well.  my problem is: after i have gone for a long distance and shut the engine down and start it back up after a few minutes then it just barley idles and sometimes dies.  but once it runs for a minute it is back to normal.  I have noticed if i pull the choke back to the first click in this situation it idles back up.  Any suggestions on this one?

yes...starts up with the choke..turn off choke a mile or so later...runs fine...idles at around 1000-1200 rpm (just listening by ear) after warm up.  

now after the 5 minute shut down it will start right back up, just does not want to idle and sometimes dies i have to give it gas to keep it alive .  then when you ride it down the road a mile it idles fine ???

i say it is running rich because i have a small amount of black soot in the end of my muffler.

today the temp. was 77 degrees.

But while we're on the subject...

Why does it seem that everyone just goes straight up to a 155 main jet when they change the exhaust?  Where is everyone getting this idea, anyway?

I mean...I've got a 157.5 and a 160 in my tool box.  Should I just slap one in there on the misguided notion that "bigger is better"?

I increased my main jet size slowly, one jet at a time.  I tried running a 157.5 but after a good ride, my brake arm was black.  Back down to a 155 is where I went.

From what I've read in this forum...most of the bikes with an exhaust modification are running too rich.  Most everyone's signature line lists a 155 main....and yet, I keep hearing people say that theirs "might be a little rich".  Or have a "little black smoke".

My spouse has more disks in her Trapp (14) than most everyone but she runs strong with a 152.5.  Stinger has 8 disks and he is running happily with a 147.5.  And both those bikes have a stock pilot....and no bluing too.

Come on Savages.  Black smoke is no better than blue chrome.  If you have smoke, decrease the jet size.

...just my 1 cent...

I see your signature line, and that seems more correct.

I didn't say lean was better.  I said clear is better.  What I also said was, why does everyone take the direct route to a 155?  Just because the early Savages had it?

Shoot, I'm not the greatest mechanic around, but I don't just pick one main jet and figure it to be good to go either.

Who came up with the equation that states that "new exhaust = 155 main jet"?

BTW - I know Arizona is hot, but we used to live in the Carolinas, and moving to the NW didn't change our jetting either.

I also run a Jardine pipe on my 04 with 155 main an 55 pilot.
Works perfectly..

And besides....The Rubber Side Down section is constantly filled with questions about bikes with starting and idling issues.  

Of that group, the majority have a modified exhaust.  Of that group, the majority have a 155 main jet and 55 pilot.  

Coincidence?  I think so.  

What do new bike owners complain about?  Backfires.

What do they complain about after they fix the backfires?  Idling, stalling, black smoke and dirty plugs....

I also think that people shouldn't just assume that a Harley exhaust is that much freer flowing.  Especially with a stock header.  Got to remember that in most cases,  one HD cylinder is the less than or equal to ours anyway.

Okay.  That's my last rant.  I knew everyone would get their back up and get all defensive without actually looking at the issue.  

After all, no one want to admit they might be over compensating.  That's much harder than changing a jet.

My engine work proves what I state.

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What exactly are we talkin' about here, Greg?