Motorcycle Repair: 1982 yamaha 550 maxim carb, speed jets, yamaha 550

Question
Do you think it could be in the slow speed circuit of the carbs.  I had another source tell me to look at that.  But when I suggested this to my guy he said he didn't see how that could be it because he had just went through the carbs and ran a .007 or .008 micro drill in the low speed jets to clean them out...Let me know what you think.  My guy said he was going to mix some real lightweight oil with some gas to see if it would get things broke loose.  I'm about ready to take it to another shop...
Please reply,,,

Greg

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Followup To
Question -
 I just acquired an old '82 550 maxim that had been setting outside for a few years.  I purchased needles and seats for the carbs and had them gone through. The fuel that came out was bad.  The mechanic says he is confident with the carbs other than the bellows are a little on the stiff side.  The problem is that when it starts the engine revs to around 3k and then the throttle response is weird.  When you open the throttle (goose it a little) the engine wants to over rev after you've released the throttle. The engine also refuses to idle. We sprayed water all around the four carb boots that connect them to the heads to see if they were sucking air.  The engine never acted like it was taking in the water while we performed this experiment.  The mechanic is primarily a harley mechanic but in this economy he works on a little everything.  He is also confident in his carb abilities - but is not above learning if he can't figure it out himself...  He said he's stumped on this one.   Have you got a lead to what the problem is?  Please respond to getarpicker@hotmail.com.  the weather is getting better all the time...Its a old bike but would be nice to get it going...

Greg
Answer -
Hi Greg.
 The problem is in the carbs.  They need to be completely cleaned and, if it hasn't been done yet, rebuilt.  The stickiness is key to the problems that you are having.  Every moving part of the carbs should move freely and without any stickiness.  The carbs should also be synchronized properly if it hasn't been done.  Sometimes that can give you some indication as to where the problem could be.

 There is also the possibility of a vacuum leak in the needle valve assemblies.  That could cause some more serious, annoying problems later if not addressed.

Good luck.
FALCON

Answer
Hi Greg.
 As I said before, the main, and possibly sole cause for your problem is with the stickiness of the mechanisms in the carbs.  There is still the possibility of leaking vacuum seals in the needle valve sets, but that is the least likely.

It sounds to me like the mechanic that you have is trying to do his very best with a mechanism which, although he is qualified to work on, he is not as experienced as you may have hoped.  It sounds to me as if he's on the right track.

Good luck.
FALCON