newbie here Boston area. Could use a little help/input

i recently picked up an 83 maxim 650 from the original owner. The bike is in great shape other than having 53,xxx. it needs a little clutch work and it will only stay running if i keep the choke cracked open. When i turn the choke fully down it will idle rough and die within a second or two. Below say 3500-3800 its a little lurchy but over that and it runs like a champ.

If anybody can give me some advice as to where to start to remedy the choke and idle problem i would very much appriciate it, even better if you are semi-local and we could meet up to work on it or somthing.

Great forum btw, glad i stumbled across it

 

mgram, welcome to the site & the world of XJ. If you have scan'd any of the forums you know there is a wealth of info & help on her. As far as your running issues: 1. do u have an inline fuel filter? u need one of those to elimenate trash from the tank. 2. get ready to pull the carbs & clean, clean & clean somemore. check the forums for cleaning carbs great info & how to's. 3. pull the carbs & check your enrichment well, tube (think choke) & make sure they are clean,clear. there is a post in the forums about how to clean the enrichment circuit & check that it is truely clean. 4. do the clunk test while carbs are off, there is a post as well for this, it is for the diaphragm pistons, they must slide freely for proper carb operation. after you get thru this much, post back & we can help you from here to get you running smooth as silk.
Aain welcome & there are no dumb questions, i have ask plenty.
gregg