Scooter runs Only after taping off air intake - How to fix?

[John Phoenix]

I've pulled my hair out last couple of days trying to get my 150cc scooter to keep running after it sat for 9 months. I changed the gas, sprayed the heck out of the carb with carb cleaner, checked the hoses etc. I don't suspect the electronics because the bike is only 2 years old with only 150 miles on it.

I read last night a trick to bypass the auto choke by taping shut the intake holes in the housing of the air filter. I was actually shocked to see the bike start right up and keep running! Now give me a Haynes manual and I'll tear down and rebuild anything but I don't have that for this scooter and have no experience otherwise with motorcycles.

What does this tell me? How do I correct the problem? I feel the auto choke itself cannot be bad cus it's practically brand new. I do know I have to re-adjust my idle. I also know I cannot change my gas/air mixture because it's sealed inside the carb with a plug. That's set by the China factory and may not be exactly correct for my southern USA climate but the bike has been working fine until now.

Ideas? Thank you gents!