Update.....carbs cleaned, rebuilt installed ...wont start

Thanks Jason for the info. What really got my attention is the fact that you said the opposite side of the carb wher the pilot screw goes needs to be capped/plugged or it will just suck air....all 4 opposites sides do not have plugs! Can you please confirm that again tomake surei understood that right.
If so, then i'm sure that's part of the issue all along.

 

, so to clarify, heres the opposite side of the carb. All 4 are identical....no plugs.

 

I don't believe YOUR carbs will draw in air on the offside. Those are open in the case of Cali carbs only.

 

Whew...thanks squirrelman, carbs are going back on the bike! Back in a bit.
Thanks

 

Because my bike is an 86, I looked on ebay for a set of 84 VF700 carbs. I think I was looking at a set for the VF750C, which is the Sabre. They showed plugs in the outside facing holes. I now realize some carbs have plugs and some are blocked internally.

Just do a quick test and blow some air into the outer holes and see if they are internally blocked or if the air goes into the carb.

Now the inner holes where the pilot screws go will blow air out of 2 different places. One in the float bowl area and from a hole just below the butterflies. I squirt carb cleaner in first, then high pressure air. I cover one outlet with my finger and make sure it blows out the other hole, then cover the hole it just came out and make sure it blows out the first hole I covered. That way I know the whole passage way is clear.

 

HOly shit boys......she lives!!! Well for a few minutes till i shut her down, smoke from the 1 n 3 exhaust area.....sounded great!!!

 

All right!

The pipes might smoke from grease transferred from your hands, etc...

Is 1 and 3 the front or rear? I always mix them up.

Was it running smooth and idling okay?

 

1 n 3 are the rear.....looks like some oil has been leaking back there, kinda looks like a tube going between the heads but above the exhaust....i'll look tomorrow.
Sounded pretty smooth....idle seemed a little low but i will let it run longer tomorrow.
Thanks to everyone for all the advice. It runs but i'm sure there is still work to be done.
Thanks to all in this thread!!

 

Valve covers might be leaking. If so, a lot of times it's just the 4 rubber hold down pieces under the bolts. Normally they are squished down by the bolts, but they get hard over time and stop applying pressure on the valve covers. So check those 4 bolts and rubber cushions before pulling the whole valve cover off. Mine did this.

 

There's an app for that ! Black adjustment knob.

 

Ha ha ha squirrelman, havent started it in a week. In laws were visiting. Just need to fiddle around with some adjustments....i had to keep throttle open quite a bit...sluggish. but it runs!!