It's actually just the opposite...less octane (87) will advance your burn time and clean up that sooty mess at the end of you exhaust due to a quicker more thorough burn. With that adjustment in octane, I'd take MrHP's advice and put the clip in the fifth position from the top (richest) and also a mikuni 175 main.

I've been running my '03 with MrHP endcap and k&n filter set up with a dynojet 195 main, clip in richest position/stock needle (stock carburator), 87 octane, air-fuel mixture screw out 2 turns...good results

 

i guess its worth a shot....

ill pop in two fresh plugs
Clean off my discs (so i can tell if they get sooty again)
Run 89 octane
Run the 175 mikuni main (ill probably make sure its not clogged)
Retain stock pilot
Fuel screw @ 2-3 turns out (between the two bogs)
Put needle in the 5th (so the clip is farthest down toward the ground...) should i use any washers? on top/bottom?

ill give it a go and see what happens!

 

Don't put any washers under the clip that will ritchen it even more. The setup I gave you works with most pipes but it sound like you pipe is causing a rich condition on the bottom. If your already rich in the 4th position try the 2nd or 3rd. I should have read your post more clear before answering.

 

ahh dont worry, no problem. (im just glad there are people out there like you with all the experience, who help those of us slightly LESS-educated!)

[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] ill try it on the 2nd clip with all the washers on the top.

are the washers even needed? or are they just there to fine tune it even further than just moving the E-clip?