nightmare

hi all i am new to this form but not to bikes.i recently purchesed a 1983 550 ltd , that would not idle down , but ran fine , throtal linkage was sticking , so i removed carbs , cleaned and lubed all moving parts , now the bike will start but will die if i touch the throtal. the carbs have 120 main jets ,only mods to bike is4-2 headers cab't understand wy a good cleaning would give me this much problems .

Hello, Steve, and WELCOME to KZr!

Presumably dealing here with oem manual slide carbs, which according to kawasaki.com originally came with size 98 main jets.

With the history reported, am thinking the problem isn't due to main jet size.

Could easily be wrong, but suspect the carb pilot circuit isn't yet perfectly clean.
(Cleaning method shown below works for me.)

What are the pilot screw settings -- how many turns out from lightly seated?

Does applying a little choke seem to help or worsen the problem?

Good Fortune!

[Click on image to enlarge view.]

If needed, here's a service manual, courtesy of member loudhvx.

Click here > home.comcast.net/~loudgpz/KZ5mnl.pdf

im sorry it has taken me sok. long to get this to you, my bike has the tk carbs the main jets are 120s, and if i pull the choke the bike speeds up, the only way i can make it idel is by playing with the choke, the air screws are3/4 turns out.i can't work on my bike as it is winter and i don't have a garage to work on it in.

Sounds like after your cleaning you didnt install everything air tight. There should be absolutely no air leaks from the air filter to the exhaust tip, else it will not run correctly with no choke.

Air filter and all clamps/fasteners must be installed for bike to run correctly.

On those Carbs the setting is like 1 1/2 turns out from seat. Less is Leaner, more is richer. If it is stalling when you touch the throttle it very well be you need to richen, turn out those screws, and readjust Idle speed. Don't know if you did a float level setting, measured or clear tube method, or bench synced the slide valves?
Did you get a manual? Download one like Patton suggested?

yes i just bought a manual and a sync set thanks to everyone for the advise, will update my progress when i get to make some

Which 1983 550 LTD, C or M?

The C is the one with chain drive and uses TK-22 carbs and the main jets should be 92 to maybe 102 at most. It is a mechanical slide carb.

The M is the shaft drive LTD model and uses TK-26 carbs which I'm not too familiar with. They are CV diaphragm carbs.

it is a550m it also has a shaft drive and cv carb i realy love my bike im hoping to get a chance to ride it this summer.