Smoothbores won't run

I solved my electric issues and narrowed things down to carbs.

I have a 81 KZ650 with what I think are the VM29's a 115 main and 17 pilot.
Pods and a 4 into 1

The slides go all the way up/ no ribs on casing so I'm pretty sure they are the smooths (only stamp is 03 and the carb boots say 46 & 47

I can't get it to kick on even with choke and the carbs are squeaky...
even on starter fluid it just backfires out the tail/ carbs.

Am I simply over-carbed? I think I'm flooding too bad just by cranking it.

The only sign I get of an issue is fuel backing out the main jet (I just reset the floats to 28/32'nds) but I've seen 26mm as a spec tossed around.
Whats the static float setting?

I'm bout ready to sell the smooths and buy the stock units with a jet kit...

If your carbs are smooth bores they will have this square casting on the right hand side.
Backfiring is more likely to be firing order or valve seating issues.

That's them.

Firing order is checked.
Cam is in time.

I just think 17 pilots are pretty jumbo. Was wondering what others had in theirs.

I'm pretty sure it's a waste charge firing. I don't sit and crank.
And backfiring on starter fluid is not a big sign.

Valves adjusted?
Steve

Are they squeaky cleaned ? Bench syn'd with maybe a paper clip..... I used a 1/64 ground rod to get em all super accurate and maybe try the air screws at 3/4 turn out.

Mine run really good...... O yah and I'd set the fuel level with the clear tube test ....... they have no over flows so the level is extra important with these.

I found the no run... Cam chain was on wrong. Lazy me figured nothing was hitting when turned by hand... And who does that!?

I mean really!

Anyways... Clearances are all below .007in which I expected at 9k the 2nd valve job is a baby... Probably someone did them a 3rd time and messed up.

It's a really hard start still and its popping off 1.

So...

Once the battery charges up I'll get a vacuum gauge on it and see if the valves are sticking...

But at least it was free and it runs! Was holding off verifying the vin/registering it till I knew it wasnt rod knocking or something (I don't like it that much).

A head is not that expensive. And in NH I haven't shopped around but I can ship them back to Cali and get the inlaws to get them done at a cheap price.

But... those jets still seem a tad huge. The back pop could be pilot flooding.

What do you have in yours? 115/17 sounds like 750 kit. I'm still on the fence about keeping what I can horse trade.

And how are they 2-up? I'm worried this bike will be a dog at that...

I'd rather patch in CVs and get a steady power band than deal with any nasty flat spots.