Removing airbox to lean out rich bike ('02 VZ800)

Hey all,
My 2002 VZ800 with Cobra Drag Pipes (http://www.cobrausa.com/suzuki/marauder_800_99_04/motorcycle_exhausts/slip_ons/drag_pipes/3262/) runs quite rich. At idle I can smell gasoline, as can people riding behind me on the highway. My fuel economy is pretty shite too- about 70-75 miles to the tank.

I've got her apart right now to paint, and someone suggested removing the airboxes and clamping air filters (either stock or new K&N) ones) directly onto the carbs.

What are your guys' thoughts on this? Seems like people are generally against this because it leans out the bike, but because mine runs quite rich as it is, this could be a boon.
FWIW I'm not sure if the person who installed the pipes installed the jet kit as well (i wager not). I was considering doing that in the fall when I clean out the carbs.

I'd be taking the carbs off and having a good look at them, smelling fuel like that and 70-75 miles to a tank sounds a bit more than just running rich, you could also check out the jet sizes while you're in there.

so bad idea to remove the airbox at this stage?

planning on rooting through the carbs in the fall

Update: I've opted to cut half of the flap that blocks part of the mouth on the end of the filter out. this will increase airflow to the filter by about 50% and should help with richness issues.

Sidenote: Any thoughts on why economy would be so terrible?

PeatedFumes wrote:

Sidenote: Any thoughts on why economy would be so terrible?

I'd be guessing at sticking floats in the carbs or something along those lines? It's nearly a 3 gallon tank, so it's only returning 25ish to the gallon if you're only getting 70/75 to the tank.

what exactly would sticking floats do? just flood the carbs with fuel constantly and then pour it out the overflow valve?

PeatedFumes wrote:

what exactly would sticking floats do? just flood the carbs with fuel constantly and then pour it out the overflow valve?

Depends how much they're sticking or worn? it could be a drip or a constant flow?, 25 mpg doesn't sound like running a bit rich to me.