I made my first attempt at rebuilding my carbs and getting the bike ready for this warmer weather that's coming. It's a 00 F4 with 9500 miles. While trying to get one of the pilots out I broke a a chunk out of the top of the housing. It's above the threads so is it still usable or do I need a new carb? Also what's the correct setting for the pilots? After looking at the spark plugs its looking like it was running way too rich but the bike bogged at higher rpms and speed and the only thing that made it remotely rideable last year was covering the ram air tubes half way with tape. As you can probably guess this is my first bike I've ever worked on myself so any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. Here's a pic of the carbs and plugs. Here's to hoping I don't need to find new carbs...

 

Damaged? Yes. Broken? No.
It should function fine. The threads are down inside the tube. As long as the pilot screw seat fine, it is ok.
On a previous set of carbs, I've actually taken a really fine hacksaw blade and gently sawed a groove through the collar and into the screw head to create a straight slot groove. this allows for a regular screwdriver for adjustment instead of the D-shaped specialty tool. Proceed with extreme caution if you ever do this though as there is a very real chance you can totally screw up a carb.

 

Thanks Hamlin. It's a relief to hear that it should still function. Hopefully I'll have the bike back together this week and at 100%. Is the correct pilot set 2 and a half turns?

 

I think that is a great place to start. There are some guys that own f4's on here. They can speak better to your specific model.