I cleaned out the carb the couple of times I changed the jets... There was some particulate matter in the bowl. I'll put on a filter tomorrow.
I've got a gallon of premix (for the weedeater) I'm thinking about running tomorrow. Maybe my oil pump is on the blink. The bike hasn't had a seizure since I've had it, but it could be running hot.
As far as the straight pipe goes, it has to be much less restrictive than a muffler, but maybe the engine needs a little back pressure to operate properly...?
Dog sleeps with me. His house weighs much more than 200 lbs...
david