Artificial-I - This sounds really silly but try this: If you have an exercise bike or go to the gym hop on a bike and crank the resistance way up (like it would be in a new motor) and start to pedal at a slow rate (idle). After maybe 10 revs, pedal hard to get up to a pretty good rpm - you will find at a point that it becomes easier (momentium) to run higher RPM with less stress on your body. I believe that this is the same with an engine when breaking it in. Sounds weird but try it (I have so don't think I'm trying to make ya exercise..lol...).... As far as the throttle blip - I do that later in my break-in procedure but only after the wot to flush the engine out completely.

BigDog - I agree with you across the board, it does take time, practice and patience to learn your engine (sound and feel) to be able to tune it properly. One of the biggest things people miss are regular checkings of the o-rings in the carbs. I had several people ask me to tune engines lately but I struggled to get a good tune. I popped the carb off and it wound up that the o-rings were shot (especially the ones on the back spray-bar needle) so it's always a good idea to check the carb out if your tune goes a stray. You are also correct about loosing power from running an engine too lean and needing a new plug. My engines are usually very lean on the bottom end but then they are just right or a little rich up on top so I don't hurt the plug. Also, add whatever thoughts you like - everyone has their opinions and methods so it's whatever you are comfortable with. I wish I could get some instructional videos made as I know it's not always the easiest to understand what I'm rambling about...