[rattlsnak]

yes, he said he had some running issues before not much different than im having now. Yes, I took the tank off and the carb, and soaked it in cleaner, then used compressed air to blow it all out. I can see through all the jets. just doesnt make sense why it wont run without the choke closed. Its like it has a vacuum leak. i was thinking maybe the ignition/magneto unit was malfunctioning because when it backfires its more like a crisp pop, not like a fuel misfire..