The better carbs: 79F vs 79SF

[Incubus]

Since it appears my carbs will once again grace my workbench, I have the opportunity to consider which of two sets of carbs I should mount on my 1979 XS11F. I have both the stock carbs and a set of carbs that found their way to me from a 1979 Special.

Assuming both sets to be completely renewed, which are better? The Specials have an octopus and believe they used a different petcock, but it looks like it would be simple to bypass and use my stock petcocks.

Comments and criticism encouraged.

Patrick

[John]

Either set will work just fine. Just loose the octopus, and plumb in the SF carbs just like they were from an F. They are the same carbs with a few very subtle differences, if any. I have a set of 78E carbs on my SG, and a set of 80 SG carbs on the SH, and it now has a 78 E engine in it. You can make them work very easily.

[DiverRay]

The '79 carbs ar ALL THE SAME. I've worked on my '79 standard, and E Libertie's '79 Special. The carbs WILL interchange, with the choke pull being the only difference.
Ray

[TADracer]

I certainly cannot comment on which set of carbs are better but I can recommend removing the octopus. Without starting up the 'inline filter discussion' I have been running fuel straight from the cocks to the carbs through inline filters for years. No octopus makes it easier to get at the carb adjustments for syncronizing, etc.