How is a '77 Liquifife supposed to run????

[gpuller]

Finally got my '77 Liquifire snow ready and the weather cooperated with about 8" of fresh snow. Got the NOS t-stat installed that I got from Don Amber. Threw in some new needle and seats in the carbs.
Got to put about 20 miles on it this weekend, keeping close to home in case I had to walk. LOL
A few observations...
Not sure how well a '77 Liquifire is supposed to run? Starts like a champ, idles the same, plugs look good. Just seems a little sluggish threw the RPM's.
Cruising at about 40mph its running about 6-6500RPM it will run up to 7 or so when the throttle is pushed but it just doesn't do it quickly. About how they ran/run? Like I said before just seems sluggish.
Coolant temp is lower than I expected too. Couldn't get it to 150 deg, which is a good thing I guess. Figured they'd run a little warmer than that.
Running 40:1 mix.
Any insight would be helpful.

P.S. Running BR9ES plugs

Thanks!

[sledhead16]

What new parts have you put on? And what have you tuned up? That'll be a quicker troubleshoot for us.

[harleysportster]

If you are breaking in a rebuilt engine, continue with the 40:1 ratio for the first tank fuel of gas. if you have a seasoned engine, swtich to 50:1 ratio. Check to see that you have the proper jets and clutch weights for your current elevation. The engine temp of range of 140ish is normal. If you do not have a new drive belt on, check to see that the belt is riding up at least flush with outer edge of the secondary pulley. if the belt is down inside, it needs changed.
The early liquifires are heavy and slightly boggy off the line but once they are moving you should have smooth excelleration. did you rebuild the clutches?
If the secondary has a weak spring, it will not back shift properly.
Just a few thought,

[gpuller]

New crank seals only. Not rebuilt.
New button and rollers in the primary clutch
Cleaned the secondary, original spring. New cam sliders
New ignition coils
Carbs cleaned and new needles and seats
Rebuilt fuel pump
All new fuel lines and filter
NOS thermostat
New belt
Jetting is all factory specs

[harleysportster]

just by looking at the picture, if the drive belt always sits down in the secondary pulley as it is in the picture, it is way to low which changes the gear ratio higher. It is like starting out in second gear instead of first. when you bolted the engine back down to the base plate, did you install the bolts exactly in the same place as they were originally?

[Matt]

In addition to what Pat said the outer edge of the belt should be above the edge of the secondary clutch when stopped.

[sledhead16]

Yes way to much belt deflection going on

[skoalmint]

Sounds to me that you have clutching issues!Could be alignment issues as well. Was the movable bushing in the primary replaced? How many miles were on it? Movable in secondary replaced? Cover bushing in primary, secondary helix bushing? Looks like you are very particular on how you do things, engine looks fantastic . The R weights in the liquifires are not very aggresive ,they are a belt friendly weight.But if the bushings are wore in the clutches they will not shift properly, they bind and cause resistance. As you apply throttle you should notice a nice transfer of power .If it bogs or stalls the rpms, lets say below 6800 and you feel that the sled is not picking up mph then something is probably binding up keeping it from going to a full shift. You should be seeing speeds of 70mph or higher once it has shifted to full shift, in good conditions. Im guessing you have stock gearing, 24 /40 which is very high gearing, but when everything is right you could see speeds of 80mph or more, which is way to fast LOL. Gearing of my choice I clutch them for the low end ,Gear them for top end. Hope this helps Brock

[gpuller]

Thanks for the replies guys!
Can't pay too much attention to the belt deflection in the picture I posted. That was last winter and the engine hadn't been run yet. The belt was just put on. I'll take a look at the deflection now that it's been ridden.
Engine was put back in the same position. Don't have a clutch alignment tool but did some measurements like the service manual shows and it's damn close.
The machine has 2700 miles on it.

Just new buttons and rollers in the primary. No other bushings were replaced.
The secondary was just clean up and reassembled.
Looks like I need to check into the clutches and do some more work on them. Where does a person get the bushings for the secondary? Just have to find them NOS?

Thanks again!