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[David FLSTC]

Howdy folks. I was encouraged to come post on these boards by my friend VaEagle.
 I recently have developed an issue with my 2004 Heritage and would like some feedback/opinions. I am the original owner of this bike and the only modifications I have done to it where to add Vance and Hines staggered bigshots, the carberatuer was re-jetted and a K&N air filter kit was added. All this was done in 2004 at a local HD dealership. I currently have 33,000 miles on it and have never had an issue with the performance. Additionally, I have ridden this bike on the USA 4 Corners Tour and never once had any fuel/performance issues in any of the altitudes or climates I rode in.
 Just recently I have been experiencing a slight hesitation once the bike is warmed up when I shift gears. I inititally thought it could possibly be fouled plugs as I neglected to change them out when I did the last fluid change 100 miles previously. Needless to say that even though the plugs where dirty, new plugs did not eliminate the problem. Today I took the carb off to inspect the rubber membrane inside to see if it might have had a minor tear in it and it did not. Everything inside the carb was clean as a whistle including the carb fuel bowl. (I thought maybe I had crap in the bottom of the carb due to bad gasoline, but there was no dirt in it at all.) I also inspected the "doughnut" gasket and it to was in great shape. The bike runs smooth as can be except when I let off the gas, shift and then give it gas again. It is at this time that, only for a brief period, the bike experiences this "hicup" then runs smoothly. It feels as if there is a very slight fuel starvation issue occuring. However since I inspected the carb I think I can eliminate problems with that.
 Have you heard of anything that might cause this sort of problem? I am currently researching timing chain guide issues as I have heard that at 30K + miles, problems can occur and I am wondering if this could be a symptomatic problem that could lead to a catastrophic problem.

 Thank you in advance,
 Dave

[MUFFMAN]

I had an 02 Heritage Softail with the same sort of set up as yours. I went to a Thundervolt set of plug wires & it solved my problem. Hope that helps.THE MUFFMAN

[bbrown]

I agree with Muffman.

Try the ScEagle Platinum plugs   It worked for me

[VaEagle]

I hope it is just a simple thing like wires for you. I know sporadic things like that can be aggravating.

[David FLSTC]

Before I go out and buy high performance plugs and wires, wouldn't this occur at higher rpm's in addition to/instead of just after I shift gears if it where a wire and plug issue?
Thanks.

[MUFFMAN]

You're basically at a hit & miss. All I know is that it cured my problem similiar to yours. THE MUFFMAN

[bbrown]

Worked for me too

[David FLSTC]

You're basically at a hit & miss. All I know is that it cured my problem similiar to yours. THE MUFFMAN

A miss it was.
 I replaced the wires and plugs only to continue receiving the same performance results. I did notice however, that the front plug appeared to be a bit dirtier than the back plug. I checked them after I replaced them and ran them during a test drive. It seems to me that both plugs should look and wear the same, IMO.
 Visually the carb appears to be working fine also. There is a squirt of fuel going into it when I give it throttle like it's supposed to be doing.

 Any other thoughts? I do value opinions.

Thanks