bach

Hello chaps, I need help big please to replace the needle of my Brazilian built Yamaha DT 180. I bought the bike as a rebuild project from a chap who unfortunately replaced the needle in the carb (and threw the original away) with a DT 175 needle, and so I don't know the numbers stamped on the original needle to buy an after market equivalent. The Yamaha part is discontinued. The carb on the bike is a Mikuni 24mm with the numbers 58W10 stamped above the auto lube tube inlet. As far as I know it's a VM2455. The original Yamaha part number for the carb assembly is 23K-14101-00 and for the needle is 584-14116-07. I've solved loads of problems from leaking crank gaskets to reed valve and electrical issues. The bike now starts fine and idles fine, but runs very rich, to the point that opening the throttle too much causes the bike to be unable to burn the fuel. I know for a fact that the needle is wrong, so I'm fairly certain I need to change the needle to one that is leaner. Air screw settings don't change anything, and the bike also struggles to clear at half throttle opening. The needle in the bike now has two tapers. If I'm unable to ever get the correct equivalent needle in South Africa can someone recommend a needle for this bike that will give ok performance. The bike is not used for anything special. Standard or thereabouts is good enough. I guess I'd rather have it running a bit rich than too lean to save the piston. Thanx gents, and may I say you have a wonderful forum here. You've helped me LOADS to get my bike running as well as it does now. Bach