Day #2 started with a valve adjustment. When I got the marks aligned, the intake felt really loose compared to the exhaust, so I pulled the .05 feeler and it wouldn't fit in the intake valve... After fiddling, I got it feeling nice and knew that the exhaust was probably so tight, it was staying open a bit.

After the valves were done, I put in the new DR8ES plug. Not sure I needed the little bit hotter plug, but not sue a half heat range makes much difference either (I got the wrong one becuase I wrote it down without the -L). After those 2 things, it fired on the first kick, but would still bog with a throttle crack.

Pulled apart the tpcarb and the peacock strainer was crammed full of goo. I was very worried at that point, but the carb bowel and jets were actually quite clean. The jet holes and emulsion tube holes were nice and clean. Blew everything out and put it back together. Started easily, but needs to be retuned a bit to idle right. It will still bog if I quickly go from closed throttle to WOT, but if I roll it on a little then it'll crack and rev free. Changed the oil (the old 15-40 HDEO was still pretty good looking).

Went for a ride and everything felt good. The top end seems a little flat, but that's rigt at the indicated shift points on the speedo and I'm a pretty heavy guy. Plenty of pull in the powerband and managed to hit 45mph without a sweat, and even 50mph on a flat stretch. I have never ridden a CT that would pull 50mph that easy.

After the ride, let it cool off then tried a cold start per the manual with choke. Nothing at all... It appears I somehow flooded the engine. Tried the clearing procedure and opening the gas cap incase the vent was clogged, but no luck. Cracked the carb drain a tad and fuel came right out. After that, I got it started, so maybe I got air in the fuel lines, or it was finally cleared.

I am a happy camper now knowing I can do the valves easily. The carb is easy and I understand the circuit well enough to tune it. I also see that without an accelerator pump, it will always bog out with a ful stop to stop throttle crack (unless it's really rich like choke is on). I managed to change a tire without pinching a tube as well. Feeling pretty confident about my motorcycle mechanic skills.