From a carb standpoint, your starting, idle problems, and low gear low rpm surging, are pilot system related. The pilot system fuels starting, idling, decel, and ops at 1/4th or less throttle.. If it is dying when the idle is set correctly (1200-1300 rpm), the pilot system is not fueling it correctly. This has to be fixed before performance mods are added to the engine/carb as other aspects of engine operation are also being affected with a faulting pilot system ( such as your surging..)

Having many previous owners, there could be many "mods" done internally to your CVK.. Buying a used KLX that has running issues automatically signs a peep up for becoming a CVK "expert"...

Never ever think that faulting engine operation can be "cured" with performance tuning/parts. You'll end up spending money only to make your problem worse..

 

Easiest thing I did was the MCM, when I went in to check and reshim the valves. Fitting the carb out and in and out and in was far more a pain in the tail. Plus I now had properly clearanced valves.

But that's okay, to each their own.

 

If I mess up the carb I can replace it. The engine on the other hand..

 

Like I said, to each their own. Be careful if you ever reshim your valves - same work.

 

I looked at that job because it was coming up in the maint sched and the last owner said never had valve work and I think that's beyond my means too. Had the shop do it and at 7000 miles it was fine. Wasnt cheap. Maybe I'll work up to it.

 

The MCM is dumb monkey work to some.. Impossible for others.. For instance, if you don't know what "Top dead center on the power stroke" means, you don't have enough foundational knowledge to attempt the mod..

You end up with the cams rotated toward each other slightly and just for final verification, the cam gear positions should be matching the forum available pictures..

MCM would certainly make your pilot system fault worse though..

 

So I think it's fair to say I need to fix my idle problem. Is this where I might want to get a bigger pilot jet? Also still planning to drill the .018 starter jet.

 

Also just to clarify my interpretation of what 1500-1700rpm is, if the tachometer is broken up into 4 bars per 1000rpm then I'm seeing 2 bars above the 1000rpm line but occasionally it flickers onto the 3rd bar.

Is my interpretation correct?

 

How bout fixing your pilot system first before buying parts...

Clean your pilot jet over and over until every pinhole (on its' side and down the middle) is perfectly clear of obstructions. Remove the fuel screw, blow out the pilot circuitry until you can verify that every port and the pilot air jet is clear of obstructions....
Set fuel screw to 3 turns out and idle speed to 1300 rpm..

 

I did that first. Swear to god that thing is spotless. Obviously got taken apart by the last owner because the plug was removed. I'll try your suggested settings though.