I had the carbs off the bike today and removed the tops.  One of the o rings is faulty so im going to replace it.  I took off the float bowls and cleaned all the gunk out of the bottom, and sprayed carb cleaner everywhere I could to try and free up any dirt.  I wasn't able to get the floats out... they seemed stuck and I didnt want to break something.

I put everything back on the bike and I still have the same problem as before... floating idle, dies if choke is rapidly applied, etc.  One thing I did notice is that one of the jet needles is bent slightly, so Im replacing those.

If this doesn't fix the problem, how do I adjust things to richen the mixture?  I'm looking at pics in the service manual but the exploded view isn't very helpful.  is there something I have to drill?  I found a pic on another thread that shows where it is, but its too dark out now for me to see if this is something I have to "drill" get at the screw.

Thanks in advance!

EDIT - the pic is in this thread:  http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=43821.0

You're really haphazard. You can straighten the needle ... but a stock needle is really too fat to bend, unless someone bent it by hand.
The floats have to be removed and the O ring replaced, the flow seat also needs to be removed and maybe O rings replaced there too. You know if it seals up well there ? ... if you sure (blow test) leave it, it may not hurt. The float level has to be set right too.
After all this, you may just have to rejet, they come lean from the factory.
Cool.
Buddha.

I tried straightening it but I didnt want it to break off on me.  I was kind of wondering how it could have been bent too given how strong it seems.

How do I get the float bowls off?  The service manual just says "remove float bowls" and another post said you can just lift them straight up, but it seemed that they were "stuck" and didnt want to come out.  I was paranoid about breaking something so I didnt want to force anything if it didnt want to come out.

I have to say im kind of critical of the service manual.  In a lot of places it simply says "inspect jet" or "examine blahblahblah" and their instructions for getting to it are simply "remove jet".  When things dont go smoothly I tend to think im trying to do something incorrectly.  I dont want to break anything inadvertently.

If its jetted lean from the factory, what jet kit should I get for a factory intake box and exhaust?

It just seems strange that the bike seems to run fine for the first few days that I get it, then all of a sudden it decides to act like this.

OK canadian 89-00 bikes had 125 mains, 40 pilots, adjustable needles (I think) and were jetted better than US bikes.
If the rest is all there and good - you will be fine stock pipe and stock air filter. I am sorry, I was thinking you were in US, didn't see your canuk handle.
I'd just remove and clean ...
The float bowl have to be wiggled and finessed out, they have a gasket that if it tears is $$ ... you gonna have to remove and mechanically poke every jet down and clean everything ... emulsion tubes, pilot jets, fuel passages, air passages. All of it. Chase them with wire strands or spray them with cleaner.
01+ canadian bikes - maybe as bad as US.
Cool.
Buddha.

well its my fault because my bike is a US-spec bike, not a canadian one.  Its imported I guess you could say

Well since the bike is down for the weekend, I'll try taking it apart again and see if I can convince the float bowls to come off without damaging anything.

So I guess the jets I want are 125 and 40?

I sell a jet pack ... $22 USD shipped. 125 mains, 40 pilots, washers for the needles, bolts for the float bowl all included.
BTW your bike is a CA bike ... funky ass hose under the carbs in the front
Those need to be pulled to get the bowls out.
Cool.
Buddha.

I'm sending you a PM now to get more information on this kit.  Thanks!

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=40688.0

Sticky on top of the for sale section has some details.
Cool.
Buddha.

I read that link but I didnt see anywhere payment methods?

Yea, I dont post them ... I get random un named, un marked, un addressed and literally un accounted for $$ ... say I tell you $22, they may think they are being cautious in case its more and send in 23 or some other random number ... I would then have no clue if they want a virago starter or a maxim valve tool or a seca side cover or a katana shock.
I usually send an angry note with a 1 cent refund, and they respond with what they want and where its gotta get sent to ... but there is one person who didn't respond to even that.  so in a few days I just send off a refund.
Cool.
Buddha.

right on...

i got your message and replied to your message.

Thanks again for your help.  People like you are the reason why i'm going to donate my extra shims to the shim kits floating around once I sort that out this weekend (hurricane permitting).

Hey we have a hurricane this weekend too ... Hannah ... what's yours.
Cool.
Buddha.

what do you know, ours is named hannah too!

Whaaa ... well the next one is called Ike, previous was gustav ... Yours ?
Cool.
Buddha.