>>any ideas what i should look for tomorrow when i take the carb back out?<<
Yes, look for torn, missing, or misaligned gaskets...there's more gaskets in a DelLorto carb than you would ever expect, and perhaps one is torn.
Also, check for float and bowl assembly problems, it may be jamming due to bein slightly off-kilter on improper assembly - you know it's together right when you get just under 1/4" of free travel (it pivots up and down just short of that, or should)
If you have oil injection, you should check as well the bolt that connects to the heads intake (in between the head and the cylinder)...that bolt should have a paper washer on it to prevent leakage, and this might be missing...or the bolt (which is in fact hollow) might be clogged up inside.
>>if i get it running, no problems, how much should I expect trade in wise? ball park figure.<<
About jack....most dealers won't even give you near blue book value, even if it looks and runs perfect..in fact, trade-in value is so awful that it's usually wiser to just keep it and spend the extra bit.
Reason, you can ride the new bike in nice weather and suchlike, and when it gets ugly outside, or the new one breaks down, ride the old one.
-Ree