300ex carb problems?

[craigdieselmac]

I have a 98 300ex and it does not want to run unless it is choked. I cleaned the carb completly and it is still the same. It runs completley normal choked, but when I take the choke off, it dies. I changed the plug and ran it and it reads rich, which I figure is wierd since it seems to want more gas since it wants to be choked. I checked and double checked the boots and they are all tight and no rips or tears that I can see.  The jets did have a little garbage in them when I took the carb apart to clean it, but they were clean when I put them back in and it is still running the same way.
Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks
Jeff

[jmiller450]

I would check your valve clearances.

[craigdieselmac]

I thought of that but I don't know what they are supposed to be.. maybe someone could help me with that as well.

[xr100racer]

Are they ticking? Listen to the rocker box

Was the bike sitting long, or it was running fine and just started doing this?

[jmiller450]

if they are too tight(intake side), it will cause a lean condition, it happened with my 450. 

[craigdieselmac]

It just all of a sudden started doing this. It was running fine, then when I rode it again a few weeks later.. it didn't wan't to run unless choked. I've had the carb apart 3 times to clean it since and it hasn't changed a thing.

The valves are ticking a bit, I can hear them, but I'm unsure of what they need to be set at.

[TRX450R_Racer]

How did you clean the carb? Did you take it a part and clean out the main jet? Did you take out the pilot jet and clea the holes out really good with a pick or paper clip?

[craigdieselmac]

Thanks everyone for the posts.. I adjusted the valves and it seems to be ok now.. thanks to a couple of buds and a few beers. for future reference the valve lash is .004 (.1mm) intake and .006(.15mm) exhaust for 300ex. I'm gonna re-jet too as I am a little rich on top end.. it has a 128, gonna try 126 see where that gets me.  Thanks Again
Jeff