I have a 1996 Sportster 1200 that I recent acquired that had been sitting for 5 years.

I cleaned the carb and put a battery in it to get it started. It starts right up and runs great with the choke pulled and will die if I push it in after it's warmed up. I've checked for any air leaks and didn't find any. I've took the carb apart 3 times to double and triple check that it's clean. It will run well with the choke half way out.

When I ride it with the choke all the way out or half way out it bogs at lower RPM's.

I could use some help trying to figure this out.

 

Have you checked for leaks near the intake gaskets?

I'd suggest taking another look at the carb.
Completely tear it apart and use a blowgun to thoroughly blow air through every air passage.

 

I will recheck the carb and the intake gaskets tomorrow and give an update.

 

If it's been standing with fuel in it for all that time there are several things worth checking. Consider draining the tank to remove and clean the gas tap and filter, also to remove any unpleasant stuff in the tank.

Your running problem could be as simple as the pilot jet being blocked. It actually affects running over the lower rev range of the bike. Don't spend too much time trying to clean it if it is blocked. They are cheap to replace and it is easy to spoil if you can't clean it by blowing through. Get the same size.

 

Obviously, your carburetor needs to be rebuilt, however if I was you I’d invest on a new carburetor.

 

Are there stock jets in there? While it's open for the 4th time, rejet it. Also it should be rebuilt like someone already said. Floats can stick, jets can still be slightly gummed and slids can be hanging slightly even if it LOOKS clean.

 

What he said. Runs well with choke on points to an obstruction in the low range. If bike was sitting that long, definetely look into the tank and petcock screen and or filter depending on what you have.

Jets for these carbs are aviailable all over the place. By chance one day I stopped in a Yamaha dealer about 10 miles from home to see if they have the jets I needed because my h/d dealer is about 80 miles away. Turns out, Yamaha snomobiles use a carb that had the same jets. $2.25 a piece and only 10 miles from home. Of course you should try and clean the ones you have, but be careful. Best to have a magnafied glass to get a good look at what you are working with, it helps. As far as clearing obstructions from jets, don't get too agressive. Usually made from brass and are very soft.

 

Clean your slow jet