1981 XJ650 Valve question

My bike started up today with a little help from the choke and some throttle assistance later as it wouldn't hold idle. Marked improvement from the other days reliance on starter fluid (colder, rainy.) I'm unable to take off in 1st. The engine dies immediately as I let the clutch out as if the throttle is no longer responsive, but it can rev up in neutral rather quickly it seems with a delayed fast boost after ive started to throttle up. This or it hangs at 2k and wont increase until I trigger the choke. I'm going to bench sync and then attempt to running sync the carbs but I took advice and got valve clearances first. These are my results assuming you are looking at the bike from the left side.

Right side
EX IN
.17 .152
.127 .063
.102 .076
.152 .076
Left side
I used a feeler gauge and documented the largest that would pass through. I'm very new to automotive engines but I have experience with pumps from the oilfield of which I had to work with low tolerances, low error margin, and some very stubborn setups. I'm very strapped for cash after purchasing this bike but I feel confident with this community that I can set things right.

My questions are: Are the shims just to keep the tolerances within that .11-.15 for intake and .16-.20 for exhaust? Is there room for error? Am I particularly in need of swapping shims or could I go forward with the carb sync process and wait until I've got some disposable income to do the job right. I know my best interest is to order shims, possibly take from parts bike if available, clean carbs, bench sync, running sync, then colortune, but I have a parts bike that I have sitting in my roommate's (landlord) backyard with a TBA departure date as i have no garage or anywhere to store it. This means I work on it in the street and piss my neighbors off when it jumps to 4-5k whenever I try to start it. Thanks for taking a look and any advice would be awesome.

 

Question #1-yes
Question #2-no
Question #3-yes, you are in need
Question #4-no

Valve clearances must be in spec in order to properly sync.
Sorry, no shortcuts.

 

Yep, the shims are "just" to keep the valve clearances in spec.

In your case, you've got some seriously tight valves there and really need to get them attended to. FIRST.