Jet Needles - how many notches?

[Snow]

How many notches should there be on the jet needle on a set of 78 carbs? Should there be only three like listed by the Removing and Cleaning your carbs article?

If so, I am then 100% convinced I have the wrong Jet Needles in my carbs that have been causing me to have even more headaches than usual the last few months....

I've emailed sale@motorcyclecarbs.com last night, hopefully they will get back to me soon...according to the Yamaha Parts Fiche, I should have

2H7-14116-06-00 (5GZ6-3) (Jet Needles)
and
2H7-14941-02-00 NEEDLE MAIN (X-2) (Needle Jets)

[Dennyz]

The Mikuni needle number should be stamped on the needle. If there is no number on the needle, your sessions could be right.

I just pulled the needle out of one of my ’79 Special carbs. It is stamped with 5GZ6 and has 5 clip slots

[Snow]

I looked the other night and wasn't able to see anything printed on these needles... I do have "old" needles that were handed over to me with a box of parts also, maybe I will get lucky and the correct ones will be there

[ratbyk]

Needles

The needles in my 78E are and were 5GZ6. It runs clean and strong. I had the plugs out of this am as a matter of fact. Still running with just a bit of colour. I gave it a good run yesturday and this morning before starting I pulled the plugs for a check. All well.
For your referance:
Mains- 137.5
Pilot-45
Air-210
Needles-5GZ6
Float Level-1 3/16
With this combination it always ran strong but was always on the rich side. I started easing the float level up and down until all of a sudden the bike was just "alive". It is just a trifle lean at start up but within 2-3 minutes "crisp" would be a good word.
Since then I have put the stock air box and filter back on removing the individual filters. Since I am not R&R

[ratbyk]

Needles/continued

Mistake on my part. Hit the Tab key by mistake and the previous reply took off before I had finished it.
Anywayyy. I have put the original air box back on since I am no longer R&Ring the carbs all the time. I like the stock appearance and quieter running with out the big intake roar.
Ken/Sooke
78E Ratbyk

[Snow]

Well, I was wrong about the needles actually in my carbs, they are the correct mikuni needles :/ I think I might just order the carb kits from above mentioned guys next payday

[Snow]

These carbs are driving me crazy - I have the right needles, the right emulsion tubes, but still I am wayyy tooo rich in midrange, but my top end is just fine, a nice tan/brown spark insulator...

Could it *possibly* be the float needles/seats causing me grief? They are from a K&L kit

[Dennyz]

Very possible. I tried the K&L rebuild kit and ended up removing all of the component. One of the problems I had was over flowing float bowls.