Runs like S$%#

Bought my 2006 XR650R last year needing much TLC. It did not run but after opening up the carb, cleaning it and re-jetting it properly it ran like the animal it is and I enjoyed a few good rides. After parking it for a while I decided to attack it's many other issues and after replacement of tires, chain, sprockets, engine seals, re-installation of the factory clutch perch (to gain back the compression release lever) and a few other items it was time to ride. Upon trying to start my pig it developed some attitude and did not want to stay running. I assumed the crappy fuel left in the carb was the culprit and pulled it again for a cleaning and inspection. I found nothing out of the ordinary yet the bike still did not want to run. It acts extremely lean on mid to full throttle and will only make power with the choke on. It shows all the signs of fuel starvation yet the tank and petcock flow great, I can blow through the jets and passages freely and the float, needle and seat look great and there is no flow out of the overflow. Out of desperation I replace the plug and have opened up the carb 3 more times only to find nothing. I'm not sure what to think as it ran great when parked??? Can ignition issues mimic lean conditions? Any thoughts would be welcome.

Do you use ethanol type fuel?

After you are done running you pig, while the engine is running do you shut off the petcock thus allowing the running engine to suck all of the fuel out of the carburetor to the time the engine dies from lack of fuel?

Sometime to properly clean the carb you have to da a ultra sound method to clean the carb. Ethanol fuels are shit!

Is your exhaust system blocked?

When you say you have the chock on are you positive the chock is not in the off position? Just asking!

Thanks for the reply Aurora,

I did run premium ethanol fuel in it prior to this issue and that is what sat in the tank. As I changed tanks as part of this last round of repairs I also switched to non ethanol clear premium fuel. I initially thought that the ethanol fuel sitting in the tank/carb was my issue but after pulling the carb multiple times I am just not seeing any jet or passage restrictions. I have not in the past ran it until dry with the petcock closed but will add this to my routine.
I am not opposed to pulling the carb again and taking it in for the ultrasonic cleaning but it seems to be such a simple carb and the passages seem to flow well. I guess to rule it out it would be a worthy investment in time!
The exhaust appears to have no restriction as when I am rolling and close the choke it pulls hard and makes the same (loud but nice) noise as it did before I parked it.
I appreciate the choke question as I have had to prove it to myself several times due to its desire to run with it on (choke closed).... I even pulled the side cover and filter element while it was running to prove to myself once again that the choke was actually closed.
I have proved to myself that the Tank, screen, vent and petcock are no restriction so I guess the next logical step is to prove the carb good with an ultrasonic cleaning and then move on.
I have pondered this problem way to many hours and the one problem that keeps bothering me is that the problem seems to affect both the low speed and high speed circuits and I have a hard time believing they are both plugged after cleaning the carb multiple times.

I agree... Ethanol fuel is garbage! Recently took a road trip to South Dakota and once I reached the states that sold regular fuel I saw a 10% increase in my truck fuel mileage. I wish we had the choice at the pump as other states do. Other states offered it side by side with regular fuel at a discount of 2-3 cents. Do the math on that..... 10% reduction in fuel mileage for a 1/2 of a percent savings? And issues with system compatibility? We are being ripped off in the name of "keeping it Green".

Grizzly,

and you'll put your cock on a block too that the valves are set correctly?
Just asking, sounds like valves to me

BuRP,

Some things just aren't worth risking so the cock will not get anywhere near the block! lol
I will adjust the valves this next go around to rule it out. I have read that from several sources and it seems worth a try at this point.
Thanks for the advice.

Grizz,

funny Q: you how to adjust them? Yip, cold, yah, take the plug out, but the do's & don'ts?
Do NOT turn the crank backwards AT ALL, not even a ballhair, so ONLY turn forward! Overshot TDC? Turn forward again, until you're on the mark - or use your own way that you know will work, on a single I won't use TDC.
The reason is the auto-decomp system. It'll kick-in immediately when the crank (cam actually) reverses rotation, and it will lift an exhaust valve.
Quite a few had hiccups with this, so be forewarned.
If you knew this already - consider it not meant for you

BuRP,

Never to proud to ignore good advice! Thanks.
A busy workweek has kept me out of the garage but I hope to be back at the bike Saturday morning.
I will keep you posted on the results.