Motorcycle Repair: Vulcan 500 carb problem, pilot jet, wits

Question
Okay, I own a 1997 Vulcan 500. The carbs (dual CVK34s) needed to be
cleaned, so I hauled them apart. Unfortunately, I cannot seem to get the
things to work right after reassembly.

The bike was running WAY too rich. I had backed the pilot screws and jets out
to the level they should be at. At first, I had placed the needles in the wrong
order. I fixed it, thinking that was the problem.However, the bike still runs
very rich. It also bogs out when I give it any throttle input. When I take the
choke off, the bike needs the idle turned way up in order to run at all, or it
will stall.

I've had these bloody carbs apart about 20 times now. It always seems to be
running really rich. I even turned the pilot jet and screw all the way in, and it
seemed to idle rich. Same problem, bogs out when any throttle is given. I
tried taking the ignition wires off and running only one cylinder at a time to
see if one was causing the problem, but no dice.

I've checked the float levels,fuel is a little low but I dont think it would be
causing this problem. Diaphrams seem to be tear and hole free. jets are the
same that were in it when I tore it apart. I have not changed anything, yet this
bike cannot seem to stop running rich.

I am completely out of ideas,and am at wits end. Please help!  

Answer
Well, if it's falling on it's face as u described then u have properly diagnosed a rich condition.  When u cleaned the carbs, What did u use to clean the jet holes?  After u install the floats don't turn the carbs from side to side or upside down as this will cause them to stick and u will have a rich condition.  How r your plugs?  Do u ALWAYS shut the gas off when u r done riding?  Good luck and let me know!