I'm Choking!

[ss]

I've been having troubles with this 454 fixer upper.

First Try:
It was overheating. Fan wasn't working. Fixed.
It was leaking gas through the pod filters. cleaned the carbs. Fixed, no flood.
I said, I have a running bike!, lets go for a ride!...

Runned good, but sadly On the 8th mile it started choking and eventually stalled.
I had trouble getting it to start and after It did, I had to drive it at 25 mph because it would choke and stop while I tried to go faster.
My RPM were gone.

Second Try:
I cleaned the carbs. Runned like a charm but after a while...
same problem like before... choking immediately even when starts right up.

Third Try:
I've cleaned and checked the carbs twice now, runned them with no Pod filters and the jets go up and down evenly while bike's on Idle.
(I adjusted them by looking the light that passes through the butterflies. I know it is not very accurate, but I don't think they just got un-synchronized because I cleaned them right? )

... so same outcome as the second try... stalls when I apply gas jets seamed to stop evenly when I applied the gas...

Fourth Try? I'm Choking!
I just realized I didnt play with the mix.. I think is at the leanest possible, so I'm going to try a richer mix!

I'm avoiding compression problems because I'm assuming if it starts on second gear It has enough compression (thoughts on this too guys?)...

My only approach now I'ts gonna be that One.. Richer mix.. if doesn't work.. I might end up adjusting the valves....
Please convince me I'm wrong with the valves and tell me it's just the mix...

I need expert help here or some really deep thoughts from you guys ;D
thanks in advance

[Blaine]

Sorry,but before you can do ANY tuning,the valves need to be adjusted.One of the signs of valves badly needing adjustment,is a bike that will not start without "jump starting" it.Than you will be able to tune your carbs.I would also install a inline fuel filter.It sounds like you are running very lean & maybe also getting some dirt from the tank.You will probably need to go up a couple of sizes on your M.J's & adjust your idle mixture.Oh,and the bike will not run without bogging,with the filters removed.

[Reebo]

right at step two I would say it ran out of gas or the petcock was on the wrong setting. that is exactly what the bike would do.... easiest explanation first. no offence intended.

[ss]

Thank you guys for encouraging me to do my first valve adjustment.

It went OK, I expected more problems. (I only found some corrosion over the water pipes)

I had little trouble starting the bike after the adjustment, but that was carburetor tuning.

I adjusted the idle screws to two full turns out, started fine then, smooth sweet sound of engine idling now but hesitated a little in the first quarter of a throttle turn.
Little more turns out of the idle screws fixed the problem.
Put the tank back after I cleaned it and check the petcock... kept running fine... its all good now.

I'll play with the main J as Blaine said just to see if I can make it better.

thanks again Blaine and Reebo.

[Blaine]

Good to hear,that your valve adjustment went smoothly.Sounds like your close on your carbs too.Any more questions,just ask.Good luck.Ride safe.

[Rob]

I would say the tank and petcock cleaning was the major culprit here!!!

Valve adjustment always a good start as sugested.

If she runs good with the fuel in the prime position your diaphram is getting weak or vaccum weak/leak if you werent using pod filters