Update:
I finally got through most of the things on my checklist. Started by adjusting the valves. They were in pretty good shape. I changed my floats and float needle assemblies. No more gas coming out of the air intake
. I took the rubber piece off the intakes, cut off the rubber lip, and JBWelded them back to the actual filter part. So far so good
Changed out the exhaust ringsbetween the engine and the pipe and put some quicksteel around the slip-on pipe connections. No more exhaust leak.
Bike started right up and idles pretty well. But I do have a few cobwebs to work out still.
First I used the choke to start but I didn't have to hold it at all. I remember reading that you want to be able to hold the choke for about 15-30 seconds before it will run on it's own. Also, pulling away from a stop, it spits and sputters at low rpm. Its fine if I start off at high rpm. I still haven't shaken that problem with the high idle. At the moment, I have to slow down almost to a stop with the clutch out in order to get the engine to come down to idle. Otherwise, it just stays at an extremely high rpm. Lastly, I have blueing on both pipes coming out of the engine, more so on the right side. That seems like an indication that I'm running hot. So you think it's the engine running lean or maybe because my muffler is stuffed with stainless scrubbing pads? Also, I have a small backfire when I shut the engine off.
My carbs have been cleaned. I have the floats at 26mm. I set the mix at 3 turns (one turn is 360 degrees, right?) I'm not sure where my jets are at. I synced the carbs before I changed the floats. Could probably stand to sync them again. Thoughts?