does this photo illustrate TOO lean to ride?

So, holes 2-4 are tan and perfect. This is the #1 hole and I know there's no leaks from the carb or cylinder mounted intake boot (changed throttle shaft seals and re-did the RTV on the boot). this was after 100 miles with the mixture screw 8 turns out. So could a head gasket cause this, is it worth fixing, or should I just run it? (I'm into this bike somewhere around $1600)
Thanks ya'll

 

Looks lean to me.

MN

 

do a compression test.

 

8 Turns Out !!!
You might as well take that Pilot Mix Screw out and save it from falling-out and getting lost.

Here's where you need to do an Experiment for a couple of reasons.
Which all boil down to your Peace of Mind,

On Holes that are looking good and are NOT too Lean ... leave them alone and continue to Monitor how they look.

On your LEAN Hole ... the one that's "8 Turns Out"
Pull that Pilot Jet and go to the Next Hotter Jet.
SEE if the problem will be less severe with some additional Fuel.

You'll have to see how you can get her running on the Larger Jet.
If the Hotter Jet don't do the trick ... you're going to have to begin preparing for Clogged Passages with are sometimes blocked so bad that swapping-out for another Carb Body is the only way to beat the situation.

 

Rick, I understand your suggestion cleary but have one question. I did mostly highway riding where I thought the Pilot Fuel jet wasn't 'in use' as much as the Main. or maybe the pilot is always used and the Main is used in conjunction with/simuletaniously (as additional fuel to the pilot)? and should I buy just one size larger or the next Two sizes?

 

I wish you had made-up a Vacuum Bottle and Tested those passages

If you have checked every other possibility, including Throttle Shaft Seals, and didn't find anything wrong, ... the Fuel Volume must be getting choked.

I don't know whats left.
You tried everything else.
It could boil down to passages.

 

Sometimes you just have to keep cleaning that carb.

My # 4 kept running lean after 2 tear downs then cleared up on #3

Frusrating to have a carb that your possitive is as clean as it's going to be and still have a block somewhere.

If the pilot ass'y ( o-ring washer spring are hanging up it would cause a prob and that is the only thing I could think of for my lean prob.

 

Ok guys, thanks. One main question, I was planning on taking the bike on vacation at a beach house for the next 7 days. I won't be riding it very much But it's going to be great for parking (this town I'm going to is PACKED). Am I at a 'no ride' situation or could I swing this next week?

 

would lose valve shims cause/contribute to a lean condition? yamaman, my 650 is lean now as well on 3 cylinders, turns out there were lose shims (i replaced in the spring, maybe it was too cold at the time).

 

Shims all done, thanks man

 

I rode in a worse condition than you for 5000 miles (improperly jetted with pods before I learned better). I just swapped the engine (unrelated issues) and after dismantling the engine I saw no damage. 1000 of those mile were in one weekend.

I'd say enjoy the trip.

Wait for some more advise though, I tend to aire on the reckless side...

 

I'm in Lou, the bikes loaded