Motorcycle Repair: Tuning the Mikuni 42 carb, air leaks, drag pipes

Question
I recently purchased a 1995 Sportster with 1200 kit and Mikuni 42 carb, S&S air filter and some straight drag pipes. The carb was falling off cause the plate for the S&S filter was loose. I cut areas to allow movement of the throttle now that the plate was closer, adjusted, and sealed all the air leaks including capping what I thought was a brass vacuum port on the left side near the long idle adjuster. Reset the whole durn thing nice and snug. Therein lies the problem. Whereas before this rebuild, the idle was high, now its almost nothing. Also, the bike spits, backfires and misses. My assumption is now that the air leaks are sealed, its starved for air. I am unfamiliar with this carb and am unsure how to get the thing running well again. Any help is appreciated.

Answer
First your VOS switch should be plugged in at the brass vacuum port. The VOS is what makes the bike advance durning acceleration. The VOS switch is located just under the tank. It is round and has a wire going to is and a small vacuumn hose attached to it. Locate it and plug it in.
Let me know if this solves the problem.
Good luck and happy riding
Mike