Motorcycle Repair: 1981 honda750f, pilot jet, fuel mix

Question
i have a 1981 honda that was sitting for 3 years i have pulled the carbs and cleaned them several times but i still have a problem with #1 carb if i hold my hand over the carb that cylinder will fire properly. once i take my hand away the cylinder will stop firing .this seems to only happen at an idle if i rev the bike up into the main jets it seems to run fine.everyone ive talked to says it is a pilot jet problem , can you help thank you.

Answer
Hi Doug,
I would check to make sure the intake boot wasnt leaking air. It sounds to me like when you cover the carb, youre cutting off the air (that could be coming from a leaky intake boot)and giving the proper air/fuel mix...Take a can of carb cleaner, (while the bike is running) and spray it where the boot meets the head on the engine. If the idle goes up, down, or the bike dies, THIS is your issue. Look into sealing that up and everything should be fine... One other thing to consider is many bikes WILL NOT run right if the airbow has been removed, unless its been jetted for it..

Hope this helps!

~Mark Panka