Decided to take the bike out for a ride today and noticed that when I was in 3rd/4th gear and down-throttled without using the clutch, the minor growls from the exhaust would sometimes let off a much bigger backfire. I mean, its loud enough to turn heads.

I was just wondering if anybody else had this problem and how did you fix it? Perhaps the choke needs to be adjusted?

Why would you want to tune that out?  jk  

Air leaks are more prone to cause decel kerpows, check for loose header bolts or muf clamp.

richen the pilot jet a little.

choke should be adjusted in.

Hey slick, you should learn the basics just so when you take it to a mechanic you can tell if he's fixing the thingamabob or the dohicky.  Just a consequence of life that some will try to cheat ya and some don't know what the hell they are doing.

One guy here took his bike in for a new tire (or something like that)  In trying to remove the front wheel, bubba decide the axle was stuck.  Went and got himself a BIG hammer and started wailing on it.  The thunderour clamour sent the owner into convoltions.  As he staggered over to where bubba was working on his bike, he shouts WTF are you doing?  duh axle stuck, getting loose wit hammer.  Did you loosen the pinch bolt?  duh whats that?

You probably don't know either, but you should learn.  You should pour over the owners manual, and glance over Clymers.  Try and figure out what every thing is.  Don't be entirely afraid to ask questions, figure on getting a few thumps and rashes from a few trick answers like 'did you change the air in your tires?'  They are meant to make you think while getting a chuckle.  If you think about it, you can catch me and have a laugh yourself.

So the answer to your question is in Clymers, there's a copy in the tech section.  Seek and ye shall find.

Mine started the little backfiring on decel a few weeks ago.  Mine is a combo of cool weather and the small exhaust leak where the sportster muffler mounts to the header.

Do like me.. I didn't post here until I read through all the technical section. now I done all the stuff except the cone air cleaner mod. I'll do that next On second thought.. I think I'll do Old Feller's budget air filter instead.