The intakes can only be mounted in 1 of 2 positions, mount them with hose barbs facing in the upmost outward pointing position not inward and down. Only running with the choke on is pretty indicative of a lean condition at idle. This can be caused by a couple of different things, first is the bike not getting enough fuel. Plugged idle jets are a common culprit. A good rule of thumb when cleaning carbs is just when you think you have em clean, clean more because their not clean yet. Second is a vacuum leak, this lets in to much air and in turn also causes a lean condition. By opening the enrichners/turning on the choke you introduce more fuel allowing the bike to "run" with a vacuum leak. Vacuum leaks can be caused by leaky intake boots, carbs not seated in intakes properly, vacuum hose barbs, slide diaphragms, carb tops, throttle shaft bushings, loose clamps. Take some ether (starting fluid) and spray it around the possibly leaky areas, the idle will climb if it sucks in the ether. What kind of carbs are you working with BS38's, BS34's VM34's? What kind of air filters? Some aftermarket pod filters can block off air bleed jets in the venturi mouth and cause problems.