My friend gave me an 89 GS500E which was not in working condition. I know almost nothing about motorcycles and even less about carberation (i dont think i can even spell it, sry). I know my way around a wrench and fuel injected cars but bikes arent my thing so please be patient. The deal was if i could fix it, I could keep it for the summer to learn to ride! I got it running, turns out when he rebuilt the carb he forgot to put in the jets...yea i know...duh! But not it is idleing wayyy to high and the idle screw doesnt seem to make a difference when i move it. I will check the throttle cable soon but any other ideas would be very helpful. Thanks everyone.

Probably is an air leak.

If you turn the idle screw right down shouldn't the bike cut out because it will be getting no air?
I would check the throttle cable is not holding it open either because it is damaged and getting stuck or needs adjusting for free play.

yep id get some wd40 and spray around the carb where it meets the engine (those rubber boots) if there is an air leak the revs will change when you spray it.
you probly havn't put them on proply when you put the jets back in, olso check the choke cable isn't jammed on and functions probly. then there is the throttle cable and adjustment screw to play with.
goodd luck

Does it idle too high with the choke off?

it idles the same, whether i use the choke or not. Sprayed ether around the manifold near the gasket between it and the head and the idle shot way up. Pretty sure the gasket it trashed. Does this air leak explain the slow throttle response and the bike not being able to hit redline?

Yep.

Possibilities:
1. Air leak, possibly in fuel line, more likely between carbs and engine.
2. Choke cable could be stuck.
3. Throttle cable could be sticky.

On the up side there's not much happening below 5k on this bike anyways so just skip it. LOL J/K.

Carbs are much simpler creatures than F/I IMHO.

Oh BTW, free bike? You bastard, I'm so jealous.