pappy1118 wrote:I have a small leak in pipe. Gonna try and patch it. Have carb off now and going to clean that. maybe timing?
Small leak in what pipe? exhaust pipe? Ignition timing? That is controlled electronically and varies with RPM. Basically it can't be off. I think it's practically impossible for valve timing to be off if you haven't had the timing chain off.
if the popping sound is backfiring thru the carb, I believe that indicates a lean condition. When I let mine sit for more than a few weeks the carb gets gummed up and does this. Severity depends on how long it's been sitting. It corrects itself after riding a while. Supposedly the bike is a little lean from the factory for emissions.