Recently I read a VM Mikuni tuning manual. Would love to hear your sort and optimize procedure to carb tuning. A manual typically lacks what real world trial and error teaches. Also, in the late 90's I figured out that retarding the ignition a degree or two on my 600 Husaberg made it easier to kick start, giving up a little performance was worth it.
Without writing a thesis:
Mikuni tuning manuals are general and apply to carbs attributed to machines with baseline jetting and components already sorted.
The following is actual info which elucidates the functions and methods; these boys wrote the manual...
http://www.klemmvintage.com/mikuni-tuning.htm
Husky VM40 baseline is perfect and if sorted theres no need for alternatives. With a 35yr old carb you dont know what the previous owners got up to, if the carb is varnished up inside passages etc. Get new brass to start off with and have carb sonically bath cleaned.
Needle 7DH3, centre groove good starting point
Emulsion tubes AA-5 and BB-0
Slide cutaway 2,5
Airjet in bell of carb 0,7
Idle fuel jets 40-55
Mainjets have a kit 370-430
Important; 3,3 3hole needle and seat is marginal, go for 3,5 6hole as found in YZ and IT 465/490 38Mikuni.
No airleaks at choke, top cap, cable inlet.
The finer points of optimising vacuum signal, air velocity can be covered later. Important is reed valves, Dual stage Boyesens are a no go!! Stock reed setup in good condo or my favourite the Mossbarger reedblock and petals work real well.
More than adequate fuel supply has been covered in this thread. To affirm: Karcoma fuel taps will never supply a howling 500. Clarke sells a nice 20$ fueltap good enough flow for general use and it bolts right up to plastic tank.
For speed trials i have a 8mm i.d. setup with inline ballvalve and enlarged carb inlet passage to needle and seat.
No amount of tuning will work if engine build is not up to standard.
http://www.klemmvintage.com/airleaks.htm
In Fact, study all they have to say
http://www.klemmvintage.com/
I can provide list of all the areas Husky bigbores develop airleaks and the finer points of sorting it.
Pressure test on husky bigbore should hold 10psi for 5 minutes and youre good to go for many hours on engine. Viton and ordinary rotational shaft seals will hold 5-7psi at best and when engine hot and youre going hell for leather, as engine loads up its likely to leak and nip sooner than later.
Timing; I run orig SEM and Motoplat mini6 as i have stock. Never ran MZB, HPI or Electrex, would be nice to try.
These ignitions are individual. 2-2,5mm BTDC is the starting range.
Retarding a tad helps with starting kickback.
Ultimately the uphill test will determine. Im fortunate to have a asphalt track for testing and tuning. Fast righthand sweep exit in 4th, hammer uphill in 5th and see how quick i can get into 6th and still accelerate before cresting.
Cheers for now