Motorcycle Repair: 1977 Honda XL 125, honda xl 125, copper wire

Question
My 12 y.o. nephews bike I'm hoping to get running for him.  Sat in the barn for the last 10-15 years (previously belonged to his mother).  Cleaned out the Carb and jets.  Changed the oil ect.  Took the old ratty air filter off. Ran fuel directly to the carb thru a new inline filter.  Starts easily with the choke on.  Warms quickly (30-60) seconds.  Can't get the bike to run without the choke on.  Refuses to idle smoothly.  Able to turn off the choke and use the throttle to keep the engine going above approx 2000rpm.  Your thoughts please.   Thanks, Tim

Answer
Sounds like the idle jets are still plugged.  Pull the carb and the small jet in the carb and see if you can see through it.  I take a strand of copper wire from an electrical wire and push it through the jet to make sure it's clear.  Just soaking them won't clean it out.


Regards
Rich