Idle won't return before 2-3 secs

I know this has been addressed a few times already, but here I go anyway...

While riding, when I let go the throttle, it does not decelerate right away. It's like the throttle is staying open for 2-3 seconds. I can usually read what cars in front and around me will do, but not 2-3 seconds ahead!

I've had the carbs rebuilt by Wiredgeorge so I'm assuming that the jetting is correct. My riding buddy thinks it's running too rich because there is light dark smoke coming from the exhaust pipe when giving it gas. I just think it's normal cause she's not too young anymore! Who is right? My pods are a little dirty too, maybe that is what's causing a rich mixture?

Anyway, maybe it doesn't have any reason to affect my problem in the first place!

I am suspecting the cables. I changed them, the old one were in dire need of replacement. I have a slight play in the throttle handle. I will remove both and re-install them, maybe there is something wrong in the routing or...

Other than that, I will spray WD40 around the carb holders while the engine is running. if there is a change in rpms that means they need replacement/repair.

Can anyone confirm I'm heading in the right direction?

Vacuum leak

What you are describing is identical to how my bike acted with a vacuum leak. I then just removed the emissions system and capped everything

It can still be your cables too. The push/pull can get where they interfere with each other. I had this exact problem with my KZ1000MKII after putting on lower superbike bars. No matter how much play left in the cables I still had a couple second delay when closing the throttle before the carbs actually closed. You can see if it's this by taking the cables loose of the carbs, then opening the throttle with your fingers when the engine is running and see if behavior inproves. On mine the fix was throwing away the push cable and only using the pull. Later I put the stock bars back on with the push/pull setup and stock bars fixed the problem as well.

Vacuum leak and throttle cables where my first thoughts.

I'll hunt down a leak after removing the close cable, see if I find anything. Maybe there is a small kink in one of the cables. It's the handlebars from an SR that I have on mine, at least I think, cause the turn signals are attached to the handlebars, not the headlight. And my cables are for a Custom model, maybe it makes a difference....

I'll let you guys know. Thanks for the input:)

OK, Ron you were spot on! i removed the close cable, which I found out had a kink in it near the butterfly, and then went for a ride and the problem seems to be fixed. There is still a little lag before it closes, I'll add a little more slack in the pull cable and see. Pretty sure it'll fix the problem.

Now let's go riding!