I finally got around to installing my jet kit this morning with favorable results. I also answered some of my own questions above.

Q1: Clearly the thicker tapers run leaner. I assume Honda made the stock needles so thin to err on the conservative side and make the bikes run richer. I opted to use the jha A25A needles since the are the just slightly leaner then stock and not as lean as hrc.

Q2: Still haven't figured this one out, but i decided to set the needles both 3 positions down from the top as a starting point. This also makes them the same length as the stock needles. I decided to wait on the longer main jet holders . Mainly because I can change the needles without pulling the carbs and i figured that would be easiest and give me a starting point.

Q3: Based on the results, I will stick with 155 mains all around until I get more dyno data.

Q4: X and Y connectors clearly have smaller orifices which would tend to make the bike run richer and less dependent on the air solenoids. Not sure what leaving the center hose off on the air solenoids does, but suspect it allows the red X connector to depend on drawing ambient air to operate. Since the jet kit needles are thicker tapers, making the bike leaner, i figure that will counter the effect of the X and Y connectors.

Q5: I didn't plug the power jets (if they exist on these carbs), nor do I plan to based on the results.

Q6: The extra screws are for the throttle linkage to the slides. I didn't need to remove the screws so i didn't use them. I had my wife hold open the throttle while I surgically removed and replaced the needles.

Now for the results. Bike runs leaner and seems spot on. The air temp was about 75F and relative humidity around 72%. I forgot to record the air density. Fuel is 98 0ctane with no ethanol. Being that its lean i need to be careful if i go out on a cool crisp morning. Did a few runs down a nice straight and it clearly cleaned up the flatspot at 1/3 throttle. Pulls great from 3k through 12.5. Bike still idles great, but i now have a slight hesitation way down at 1/8 throttle. Having soldered cables onto the mixture screws with knobs at the end i was able to adjust the mixture. I was unable to clear it up from one turn out to three. It almost feels a little lean there so might try going in less then one turn when I go out in the morning. I should be able to work this out with the mixture, just need some time. Hoping i don't need to drop the needles because then I will need to install the longer hrc main jet holders. But...they to provide extra holes for better atomization so there might be the answer.

Next logical step is to get it back on the dyno. I will make some air/fuel mixture measurements at various rpms. Well that's all for now. I'm almost out of the 98 gas. Shop down the road has VP 110. Might try that. Probably overkill so might mix with a bit of super unleaded pump gas. Or maybe not!