Well, maybe I jumped ahead in the natural sequence of diagnostics...
I do need a new ignition setup, (I'm saving the $$ for elect) one set of points are pitted pretty bad, stock coils. The bike runs rich, black sooty plugs. I suspect this is mostly due to the weak ign. since the carbs are jetted close to stock. Since I can't afford the ign right now, I started checking other things out; carb synch (ok), valve adj(ok), compression.
As far as the bike runs, when it's idling, or especially when riding it at low speeds, cruising through town at partial throttle it lurches, bucks and snorts. When you get on the gas, it seems to run really good as far as I can tell.
The ring seating that you suggest knocked something loose in my brain... In a post some time ago, maybe in the archives, someone said never to run a new engine on synthetic oil for ring seating issues. This is exactly what I did when I built the engine some time ago. At that time, I couldn't find any new rings to fit the 1045 pistons. It seems like I couldn't find the proper thickness. I honed the cylinders and ran what I had. The clearances then were good and the engine doesn't have a lot of miles on it.
Can I change the oil and get them to set better, (maybe shoot some carb cleaner in the cylinders and change oil twice to flush) or would I have to pull the block, re-hone lightly and run std oil?
Thanks,