IH: Carburetor, Intake Manifold & Exhaust - Sub-01K


Bendix Carb Identification

Bendix Carbs by Serial/Model Number

Bendix / Zenith I6P12 (1972-Early 1976)
27155-72 1)1972-
27155-72A 2)1972-Early 1975
27155-72B3)1975-Early 1976

There are a lot of Sportsters out there that do not have their original Bendix carb attached to them.
Consequently, this page will try to bring to light at least some the differences in these carbs.
One could say it's a blessing that Bendix carbs for Harleys will interchange.
One could also say it's a curse.
Bendix carbs for Sportsters were set up for Sportsters.
Bendix carbs for other HD models were set up for the needs of those motors.
Changing the jetting alone (on other intended model carbs) to Sportster specs may still not give the results intended.
The 27155-72A Sportster carb has another number stamped into the ID pad (13732).
This Bendix part number denotes a certain configuration carb body and / or internal parts.
Change Letters:
You may have noticed a letter beside the HD part number or it may be arbitrarily stamped in the ID pad away from the HD number.
Carbs with changes made during the build phase had the change letter included at the end of the HD stamped part number.
Carbs with changes made at the dealership (customer owned bikes) had the change letter stamped into the existing ID pad…somewhere.
This explains the arbitrary location of some of the change letters.
For example, an “A” stamped into the ID pad away from the HD part# is a Bendix modification letter, not a suffix letter to the HD part#.

Bendix model 13479:

The model 13479 carb was used on FLP, FLH and FX model Harley Davidsons.
The letters A, B, C, D, E and F stamped near the basic Bendix part number (13479) are change letters.
Meaning they denote certain changes made per carb model.

The following changes are noted in Technical Service Bulletin (614A). 4)

  • Change for 13479A:
    • The float setting was changed from 1/8“ to 3/16” to remedy a rich condition occurring at steady speeds.
    • The clearance between the float tang and the wire clip on the needle decreased.
      It should be .005“-.010” between the top of the tang and bottom of the portion of spring that hangs over the tang.
  • Change for 13479B:
    • A new choke valve has detents with a spring loaded plunger engaging the detents to provide positive positioning throughout the choking range.
    • New part (27664-71 choke shaft replaces 27664-70.
    • New part 27665-71 plunger added.
    • 27666-71 plunger spring added.
  • Change for 13479C & 13479D:
    Changes were made to correct over-rich mixtures in the intermediate (off idle) speed range.
    • A new idle jet has two .06mm holes instead of one .08mm hole near the screw end.
      • New part (27725-71) idle jet has the letter 'A' stamped on the screw end and replaces 27723-71.
      • The idle air bleed hole in the carb body was enlarged from 3.35mm to 3.60mm (app. 9/64: in diameter).
        Idle jet (27725-71 must be used with the drilled out passage in this carb for proper carburetion.
        Dealers could drill the bleed hole and stamp the change letter if there was a problem with the field unit's performance.
      • The accelerator pump shaft had 2 additional holes to allow for an increase or decrease of quantity of fuel delivery.
        Factory setting for the pin was the center hole.

Bendix model 13609 and 13731

There were three Bendix carburetors, designated in the parts catalogs, that were installed on Sportsters.

Sportster
Year
Model
HD Part #Bendix Part #Venture
Size
No. of Idle
Discharge
Holes
Idle
Tube
E197227155-72 5)13609A36mm3(A) 27749-72
27155-72 6)13609B36mm 7)4 8)(B) 27750-72
(E72-73)
L1972-197427155-72A 9)1373138mm4
1975-Early 1976
(also '71-'75 FL/FLH/FX models)
27155-72B 10) 11) 12)1373138mm4integrated w / carb body
no letter designation
not meant for replacement

Bendix model 13732

  • 27152-71A (13732) - 38mm, was reportedly factory installed on a '74 XLH delivered from the dealer in July 1974. 13)

Other known Bendix ID information:

HD Part #Bendix Part #Venture SizeNo. of Idle
Discharge
Holes
27152-71 14) 36mm
27152-71 15)13479A36mm3
27152-71 16)13479E36mm
27152-71A 17)1373238mm
27152-72 18) 38mm
27155-72B 19) 36mm
27155-72B 20)13731C38mm
Zenith
13859A
Also has the word Andpro.
Andrews Products used to sell a Bendix carb. No HD markings



Venture Size

The venturi size is cast into the venturi. 21)
Looking in the carb from the air cleaner end, the numbers are on the venturi at 12:00 o'clock on the radiused entry.
They are small but every bendix should have the number stamped there.

22)

I.D. Numbers

27155-72 (13609B), arbitrary 'B', venturi stamped 36mm 23)
27155-72B (13731C), arbitrary 'C', venturi stamped 38mm 24)

Both of these carbs are stamped 27152-71.
One has a '36' and the other has a '38' stamped inside the venture.

27152-71A (13732) - venturi stamped '38' 25) 26)
27152-71 (13479A) arbitrary 'A' - venturi stamped '36' 27)
27152-71 (13479E) arbitrary 'E', adjustable jet 28) 27152-71 (13479E) arbitrary 'E',
fixed jet, 36mm 29)

36mm and 38mm Comparison

Side by side comparison of 36mm and 38mm Bendix carbs.
Aside from the venturi size, the other main difference that might affect the way it runs is the number of secondary idle discharge ports.
These are the holes that get uncovered by the throttle plate at part throttle settings.
The 38mm has 3 (in addition to the idle adjustment screw hole).
The 36 has 2 (in addition to the idle adjustment screw hole).
The air cleaner screw bosses on the 36mm are smaller.

(Left) 38mm, (Right) 36mm 30) 36mm doesn't have a bowl vent hole here 31) (L) 38mm has a flat corner, (R) 36mm is round 32)

Idle Passages

The 13609A 36mm carb has 3 idle passages. 33)
The 13609B 36mm carb has 4 idle passages. 34)
The 38mm carbs have 4 idle passages.

Main Jet / Idle Tube

One feature of an adjustable main jet, (besides the number), is the holes near the bottom that are drilled at about a 45° angle. 35)
Note that on the adjustable main jet shown below (R), the top of it looks identical to the fixed jet. 36)

37)

Some have converted their fixed main jet setup to an adjustable jet.

The C66-157 fixed main jet came standard on a 1974 Sportster.

Bendix Carb Main Jet C66-157 - 1.10mm 38) 39)

The C66-184 adjustable main jet has the tube extending beyond the taper. 40)

Bendix C66-184 adjustable main jet 41)

Idle Tube

Alternate references include intermediate / idle / low speed jet. The original idle tubes are designated with either an A, B, or C marked on top. 42)

Tube sizes:
These are removable (threaded) jets.
Both the A and B tubes were used on the early 27155-72 (13609B) and 27155-72 (13731) carbs.
Neither the screw type “C” tube nor it's successors were ever installed on a Sportster carb (officially anyway).

  • A = .60mm 43) (27749-72) standard on carbs through change letter “A”.
  • B = .65mm 44) (27750-72) standard on carbs through change letter “B”.
  • C = 45) standard on carbs through change letter “C”.

72-74 Sportster Fixed Idle Tube: (screw in type - no adjustment)
46) 47)

75-E76 Sportster Fixed Idle Tube: (pressed in type - no adjustment)
Note: Measurements taken on used / removed idle tube from carb #27155-72B (13731C)
48) 49)

50) 51) 52)

Throttle Linkage

Here’s another, and more significant difference. 53)
The cable attachment to the throttle shaft is in a different position which changes the geometry of the cable action.
With the 36 mm carb, the cable pulls from over center with the stock outer jacket bracket.
As you can see in the left picture, even with a modified bracket, the geometry isn’t great.
The picture on the right is the same 36mm carb with the correct throttle shaft and return spring for a 38mm carb added.
The throttle return spring is substantially stronger than the original (for the 36mm).
It also required an additional spring to properly return.
The standard (38mm style) bracket was used to support the outer jacket of the cable.

54)

55) 56)

Pics of Bendix Carbs

27152-71A

27155-72B (13731)

27155-72B (13731) fixed jet (hidden under welch plug). Also has stampings 'C' and '5 95' 69)

Zenith Replacement Carbs

0-13731

  • Standard Finish 70)
  • 38mm venturi
  • Fixed main jet
  • Fits all H-D® Sportster 1974 through 1980 engines
  • OEM for (27155-72B)

0-13859

  • Standard Finish –38mm -venturi 71)
  • Adjustable main jet
  • Fits all H-D® Sportster 1974 thru 1980 engines

72)

0-14130

  • Standard Finish 73)
  • 40mm venturi
  • Dual throttle cable
  • All year H-D® models with use of proper manifold.
  • Designed for Evolution® motors

015110 and 015112

  • 015110 – Standard finish 74)
  • 015112 –Chrome finish
  • 40mm venture
  • Adjustable main jet
  • Dual throttle linkage-spigot mount
  • Fits 1984 Evolution Engines & H-D Twin Cam models 1999 and later.

Parts List

Parts listed from the 1962-1973 Sportster Parts Catalog Supplement (99451-73)

Part#ItemYear
1214HWSCREW, No. 10 x 24 x 3/4“ fillister head1972
3738BOLT, throttle cable clamp, 1/4” x 28 x 1/2“ Hex Head1972
6316WWASHER, carburetor to manifold stud, 5/16” x 5/8“ x 1/16” (2)1972
7036LOCKWASHER, throttle cable clamp bolt 1/4“1972
7725LOCKNUT, carburetor to manifold stud, 5/16” x 24 (2)Late 1972
7739LOCKNUT, carburetor to manifold stud, 5/16“ x 18 (2)Early 1972
20014-67STUD, carburetor to manifold (2)Early 1972
27021-71INTAKE MANIFOLD1972
27023-71GASKET, carburetor to intake manifold1972
27060-550-RlNG, intake manifold (2)1972
27063-57CLAMP, with screw and buckle (2)1972
27065-57BUCKLE, clamp (2)1972
27132-71REPAIR PARTS AND GASKET KIT1972
27155-72CARBURETOR1972
27164-71ROLL PIN , accelerator pump1972
27271-71SCREW, throttle stop, #8-32 slotted hex head1972
27272-71SPRING, throttle return1972
27281-71ATHROTTLE SHAFT AND LEVER1972
27282-71THROTTLE PLATE1972
27326-710-RlNG1972
27341-71LEVER, accelerator pump1972
27342-71SCREW WITH LOCKWASHER, #1/8-40 (4)1972
27389-71BOOT, accelerator pump1972
27396-71SCREW WITH LOCKWASHER, #4-361972
27403-71WASHER, main jet (fiber)1972
27404-71WASHER, idle jet (fiber)1972
27449-72BRACKET, throttle cable with clamp1972
27612-71MAIN JET, 0.901972
27613-71SPRING, throttle stop screw1972
27614-71MAINJET, 0.95mm1972
27618-71MAIN JET, 1.00mm1972
27619-71MAIN JET, 1.05mm (standard)1972
27630-71FLOAT1972
27631-71PIN, float1972
27641-71IDLE ADJUSTING SCREW1972
27642-71SPRING, idle adjusting screw1972
27645-71BOWL1972
27646-71GASKET, bowl1972
27659-71SPRING, float1972
27663-71CHOKE PLATE1972
27664-71CHOKE SHAFT AND LEVER1972
27665-71PIN, choke friction spring1972
27666-71FRICTION SPRING, choke1972
27686-71SCREW, wire block, #8-36 (2)1972
27737-71CLIP, fuel valve1972
27748-71FUEL VALVE, with clip1972
27749-72IDLE JETEarly 1972
27750-72IDLE JETLate 1972
27762-71AACCELERATOR PUMP1972
27763-71BOWL DRAIN PLUG1972
33298-65STUD, carburetor to manifold (2)Late 1972
38679-72CLAMP, throttle cable bracket1972
63578-52INLET FITIING1972

Bendix / Zenith Manuals and Other Helpful Links

3)
HD Sportster Parts Catalog (99451-78B)
4)
HD TSB 614A dated April 14, 1971
5) , 6)
1972,1973 HD Sportster Parts Catalog Supplements (99451-72), (99451-73)
9)
1973, 1974 HD Sportster Parts Catalog Supplements (99451-73) (99451-74)
10)
1975 HD Sportster Parts Catalog Supplement (99451-75)
11)
1976 HD Sportster Parts Catalog Supplement (99451-76)
12)
1971-1984 HD FX Parts Catalog pg 35
19)
curiousgeorge of the XLFORUM
39) , 57) , 58) , 59) , 60) , 61) , 62) , 63) , 64) , 65) , 66) , 67) , 68)
Pic courtesy of The Doctor71 of the XLFORUM
44)
1971-1984 HD FX FSM pg 35
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