Leaderboard

I keep a box of these around from Harbor Freight

They do look nice.

I also discovered by accident that a GEN 1/MK1 seat put on a GEN1/MK2 also lowers you about 1-1/2'' and its just a straight drop on. No modifications needed. Only thing is the passenger part of the seat is smaller than the MK2 I used the space to slip in a Harley handle bar pouch.

The connectors at the ignition module are not weather sealed and if there is any green fretting in those connectors any moisture getting in and mixing with that green fretting material will wreak havoc with you ignition as it creates a path for electrical crossover. You also have a strong argument for water in the fuel as you stated it is not uncommon for fuel stations to get water in their holding tanks after a heavy rain and your timing certainly suggests strong possibility of getting bad fuel. Back fire can also be the result of unburnt fuel from a misfiring cylinder being ignited in the exhaust system by the hot exhaust stream of a firing cylinder.

It's a trial and error kind of thing. I'd say setting the throttle boss at about 10 deg. up from parallel to the ground is good starting point.

Most hardware, automotive or farmers hardware suppliers have assortment bins from which you should be able to find what you need.