2000 cr125 ratcheting noise at idle?

The needle was at the bottom clip actually. So cannot go any leaner. I put it at the middle and will test when it stops raining here in a day or two.

If it was at the bottom clip then its rich . To lean out you need to drop the needle into the main so from the bottom its 12345 should be as std in the middle to allow properly, if its still buhhwahaaaaa on mid clip go to the top 5 and see if thats any better, its a pain but you will get there

Jetting is fine, adjust air screw.

and dont skip sizes or needle positions. always move by one jet size at a time or one clip at a time

I tried with the needle down. I meant that the needle CLIP originally was at the top not bottom. I wrote that wrong. So "leanest" position.

I moved it to the middle with the air screw reset and it still bogs bad.

Also Tinken,

I unscrewed the air screw and it had no effect on the bogging. I really think I am just too rich on the pilot.....next step before any adjustments is to check the power valve operation. Somehow.

check the float level?

Sounds like piston slap to me. The piston fit to the cylinder ay be to great.

Paw Paw

I didnt measure it but the ring gap was right in the middle of the range when I head the top end off.

The head had lots of little nicks like maybe a plug broke in it or there was some previous damage. I just put new o-rings and put the cyl back on. I think the noise is powervalves.

Its not power valves - I can tell you that - they only open at higher revs
Its a constant noise - like a rotation sound
my bikes have sounded like that will have to check my newer bike again but
I think the noise is probably normal -
you need to post a video of your bike sound

just ride

I wouldn't drop the pilot below 30 and I doubt going down 5 will change much. It's possible you have a plugged orfice. Have you boiled the carb since you purchased?