high idle

hey guys im still fighting a high idle here. thing wont idle under 2 grand. if i back the idle bolt out then it will die, but if i keep it at 2 grand itll stay put. also one in a while if im at a stop light ill pull in the clutch and the idle will start to shoot up a bit if i let the clutch out just a bit itll drop, but i dont let it out enough to engage. sprayed around the boots and found no leaks. backed the throttle linckage barrel all the way out and actuated the throttle by hand and the same things happened. i did this to try and rule out the throttle cable. was i correct in trying this? any suggestions. oh yeah 3 of 4 plugs have good color the odd ball isnt bad but im trying to get the mixture correct.

My first guess would be an air leak. Seems you have ruled out being in the booties, so I would look at all other sources. I have seen mentioned on here that a loose exhaust and/or bad seals can cause an erratic idle.

Random thoughts --

Ignition timing set correctly?
Advancer unit stuck open?
Points clean and gaps correct?
Should have a little slack in both throttle cables where they attach to carbs.
Uncertain about "backed throttle linkage barrel all the way out", but assume meaning maximized slack in cables to assure complete closure of carbs.
Any carb work performed before the idle problem arose?
Carbs in sync?

Keep the faith.

Assuming these are the stock carbs with pilot mixture adjusting screws underneath the carbs closer to the engine side of the carbs.

I don't think 78 1000 have the emissions system, or I would of told you to check those vacuum lines to the valve. I have been riding a bike with a small crack in the vacuum line for like 3 months, with a high idle problem and I used to lightly apply the clutch to control the idle and I used to have a fuel milage that sucked...... 43 miles to the tank.

oh yeah forgot to mention one little thing :whistle: :whistle: :blink: i have 34mm cv carbs on it. carbs have been dipped and went over. everything looks in order. no visable holes or tears in the diaphram, slides move freely. carbs are no syncronized yet. that thought came across my mind but thought i should look elsewhere 1st and then sync last or am i wrong? :blink:

I dont think synching will help, just smooth out your idle.

Believe should first assure earlier noted ignition components being up to specs before assessing performance of carbs.

i have dyna electronic ignition. anything i can do with that?

Not familiar with your carbs but I would think air leak, or need to adjust air mixture screws (if you have them) My bike would not idle at all until those were adjusted right. it exhibited similar symptoms as yours. Would only idle high, and it was rough.

Adjust the throttle cable so that there is visible slack. If you have a Dyna S ignition, check timing with a timing light for both 1&4 and 2&3 pickup coils.

I am not trying to be a jerk but I experienced the exact same problem with my KZ750 last week. I had no idle unless it was at 3000rpm. I tried the spray trick around the boots with WD-40 with no results. Frustrated, I then tried starting fluid and the bike idled up when I sprayed the #2 cylinder. I pulled the carbs and checked the boots for cracks. There werew none, but all of the screws holding the boots were loose! 3 cylinders were still sealing well but I couldn't believe the screws turned so easily. So now I recommend starting fluid for checking air leaks. I hope you find the problem.