Motorcycle Repair: Virago High Idle, adjustment screws, throttle cables

Question
I have an '82 Virago XV750 w/ only 6,000 miles. I am having trouble with a high idle, around 1800-2000. I just overhauled both carbs and replaced everything. The bike starts and runs fine, has no hesitation or hickups, runs very strong. But the idle is too high, and it takes a while for it to return to idle, does so slowly. I have checked my choke and throttle cables to be sure there is plenty of slack, as well as both throttle adjustment screws. If I push down on the throttle control arm on the rear cylinder carb, it will idle down to where it needs to be. I thought it may be that spring but don't think so. Since I can push down on the carbs control arm to make it idle perfectly, is my problem the carbs out of sync? That was my next step, but the carb sync screw is nearly impossible to get to on these. I was also wondering if the pilot screws could cause this, and what is the recommended way to set the pilot screws. Thanks for your help in advance

Answer
Hi Ken.

It is entirely possible that the carbs are a bit out of synch, or the carbs may have an internal problem that you may not have forseen.  In addition to that, there is also the possibility that the cable is sticking near the end of travel.

Access to the synch screw, while appearing difficult is really not difficult at all.  The repair manual shows the best way to get to it.  Make sure that you have a carb synch tool as well as a "carbstyx" or similar vacuum measuring device.

Good luck and ride safe.
FALCON