Low Idle

[GWS]

This is more of a curiosity than a concern. My '98 Standard starts right up and runs perfectly. I'm just wondering why it idles at about 500 rpm. The manual wants it to idle at 1,500, and to engage the choke to get it up there on a cold start. When I engage the choke to get a higher idle, the bike floods and wants to quit. I need to hold the throttle up a little until the engine warms up enough to idle smoothly - still at around 500.
I should add that the bike once had 6 into 6 pipes, but I don't know if the carbs were ever rejetted.
It ain't broke so I'm not fixing it. I'm just wondering if I'm the only one whose Valkyrie idles this low, and if it's a symptom of tinkered-with carbs?
Thanks.

[Valkorado]

Idle adjustment knob not working?  I think 900 - 1.1k is suggested range.

[Jess from VA]

The Valk idle adjustment thumb knob/wheel is located between the two forward intakes on the right side of the engine (coming down from the top).

Idle is supposed to be 900rpm on a warm bike.  I prefer 1000 as 900 may not be charging.  Obviously, you don't diddle with the idle adjustment with the choke on.
  
It should be set with the bike already warm, but you can't go barehanded in there (after it's warm) without burning yourself.  Some long needle-nose may work.

The screw is known to get hard to turn, and you may want to shoot some penetrant on it.

I can't remember for sure whether clockwise or counter is up or down idle. 

[Ricky-D]

My Valkyrie has always has always been that way.

If you start it without the "choke" and it's barely idling, and you engage the enricheners.

The engine stalls.

Therefore I don't do that.

When I start it with the "choke" engaged,

It's a fast idle as long as the engine is not warmed at all.

And if I leave the enrichener engaged, and the engine is warm

there is a definite change to the idle characteristics.

It lopes and idles slower, not to a point of stalling, but noticeably slower, and poorer.

***

[Chrisj CMA]

The manual wants it to idle at 1,500

What manual are you reading?  Are you sure its for a Valkyrie?  1,500 is way too high for idle.  Now that being said what ever idle speed you set it at, you have to set the idle at operating temperature.  When cold it will idle much slower and the idle speed will increase as it warms up.  If you can adjust it to idle at 900-1,000 at cold start up, it will be racing at idle once it warms up.

Hope this helps

[GWS]

You're right about the 1,500 rpm idle. I was thinking of my previous bike's idle.
Thanks for the help.