Motorcycle Repair: Suzuki Intruder fuel problem, vacuum leaks, suzuki intruder

Question
Hi Gary  I have a Suzuki Intruder Lc 1998 1500.The bike would run rough at slow speeds & would smooth out if you pulled out the choke.It had good power at high speeds but sometimes it would back fire when slowing down.I removed the carbs & cleaned them out.All I found was a small piece of plastic in carb bowl for rear cylinder.I reinstalled carbs & set the mixture screws 3 turns out as it was before.Now the bike runs smooth at slow speeds but will not go over 50 mph.It seems to run out of fuel & it seems to run lean at idle even if you back out the screws to 4 turns out.I checked for vacuum leaks with propane & it seems good.Any help would be appreciated.

Answer
Nigel,It sounds like it is still in the carbs,the piece of plastic could be something broken off. The fuel lines have a screen built in to help keep debris out of the carbs.The floats could be not set right or the slides in the upper part of the carb with the diaphragms and may be dragging in the bore causing a rough acceleration.The mix screws should not have to be out more than 3 turns max or the slow jet fuel circuit is not getting enough fuel.