Cb 500 only runs with choke

[stonetree]

I know this usually means its time for a cleaning but before I do that, I have been messing with the bike and wonder if I caused the problem. Checked points gap ( all good) adjusted timing slightly with timing light, and have been syncing carbs with a vacuum gauge. So far so good. Took the bike for a ride everything felt great. Changed the plugs tonight, replaced them with the same type as were in there and suddenly I need choke to idle and the engine is stumbling. ?? Could this be caused by out of synch carbs? I only used a single vacuum gauge so could only read one at a time. Or coincidence and its time to clean?

Thanks for any help or suggestions

 

[Dave Walters]

I had this same problem and checked my needle height and it was set too lean. Moved the clip around and got it idling better with out choke.

 

[stonetree]

Thanks Dave. I'll definitely look at that.