'85 R suddenly won't idle

[250rAL]

I've owned this machine since '89, put the current 36 PJ carb on it in the early 90's. The jetting on it has been perfect all these years. I took it out for an hour long ride on the gravel roads the other day and it ran the same as it always has but wouldn't idle for the first time ever. It's been about a year since I had it out so I figured dirty pilot jet. I took it apart and cleaned all passages and jets with carb cleaner and compressed air. It looked clean inside and was stored without fuel in it. The air filter is clean. It made no difference. The only way it will idle is to crack the throttle slightly. Running the idle adjustment knob through its entire travel makes no difference either way. Is there anything other than the carb that could affect the idle like this?

[El Camexican]

Reeds perhaps, dirty float needle, needle clip came off, crud in the air screw passages, dirty choke assy, air leak, etc. Did you remove the pilot to clean it?

[250rAL]

Reeds perhaps, dirty float needle, needle clip came off, crud in the air screw passages, dirty choke assy, air leak, etc. Did you remove the pilot to clean it?

Haven't seen the reeds, float needle is perfect, clip is good, all passages clean, choke disassembled and cleaned, pilot jet blown out and you can see through it.

[El Camexican]

There's an O-ring on that choke/idle gizmo right? You may want to pull it out, check for cracks an put a little Vaseline on it to see what happens.

[250rAL]

Well, I got it figured out. I pulled the reeds to see what they looked like and they were fine. While I had the carb off, I thought I'd double check what # pilot I had in there. According to my records it was a 60 but it was actually a 65. I had had problems with a hanging idle in the winter and the 65 fixed it. It was just way too rich for summer. Forgot it was even in there. I put the 60 back in and now it idles fine. I know the 65 was in there last summer; don't know why I had no problem then. Anyway, thanks El Camexican for your help.