Motorcycle Repair: 860 VT700C w/ V+H pipes: sputters etc, plug caps, air leaks

Question
I bought this bike last year. Pervious owner installed V+H pipes. The bike hesitates, sometimes coughs and then jumps to life. I am told that the carbs need re jetting? DynoJet has kits for VT700 from 83-85 only. Where can I find them for 86, and can I use the 83-85 successfully? Thank You

Answer
Cindy, usually all you need to do is to go up one size on the main jets, put a thin washer under the needle retainer and remove the limit caps on the idle mixture screws, so you can adjust them to a nice smooth idle that will transition into part throttle more gracefully. After 24 years, it would be a good idea to go through the carb set. I can't imagine that the 1986 models are going to be much different than the 84-85 models. There were none in 1983 according to:
http://www.cmsnl.com/honda-vt700c-shadow-1986-us_model790/partslist/E++1801.html showing your carb parts. Check your air cut diaphragms for signs of damage, causing air leaks and misfiring, backfiring.

You didn't say how many miles are on the bike, but it would be good to know if the compression is good, there are no intake manifold leaks and the spark plug caps are all around 5k ohm resistance values. Has it had fresh plugs lately?

Bill Silver