I just got home after a 300 mile trip. The bike needs brakes all the way around and a little clean up. On the test ride I could tell it definately isn't performing to it's potential. If you punch it WOT it takes off very hard but quickly starts sputtering just when it should start screaming. It acts like my Sportsman when it is cold, but it was well warmed up. Starts and idles wonderful. I went ahead and bought it because I talked the guy down to $2800, and I feel like it's only carb problems. I should get some time tomorrow to get into it. What jet should be in it from the factory? It was bought new here in Texas according to the title. Any ideas what jet should be close...I'm at ~500 ft. elevation, the only mod is a K&N. What position should the clip be at on the needle? I guess I should check the injector pump adjustment also, but I'm not familar with that procedure. I got the thing cheap enough that I can go ahead and order some mods right off, but I'd like to get it tuned right in it's present state first.

 

I think the stock jet is a 230 and the needle is in the mid clip, Check the K&N out good, If he over oiled it it will give you a overly rich condition and give you a good flat spot like you described.

 

Check your email. I sent you the page from my repair manual. It's for the '98 Scram 400, but it should be the same.

 

when i bought my 400 last year it did the same thing. It really bogged down when you hit the gas and sounded like it was always cold. When i looked at the foam around the air filter it was full of junk. The air filter was also black. I washed the foam and went and bought a new filter(clean the K&N) and it made a huge difference. I don't know if thats your problem but it sure worked on mine.

 

Offrdr15, thanks for the specs. It had a B9ES plug that was pretty bad, so I put a B8ES in it. The air filter is pretty bad, so I cleaned it and it will be ready to put back in today. I decided to see if that was the problem, so I ran it down the street without the filter...Geez, it immediately picked the front up and I had to let off a little. Needless to say that was the problem.