Do yoe still have the stock carb? When you mentioned the electric pump it made me wonder if you have a weber..

Yes, to fix a sticky needle you pretty much gotta take the carb apart and clean it out. I don't really think this is you problem, but its POSSIBLE that theres some dirt in your float bowl and every now and then a chunk gets stirred up and clogs a jet for a few minutes. Rebuild would fix that.. but i'd put that towards the end of your list for sure.

As for the air noise.. do you have the stock air intake or some modified type? The stock intake is designed to be as quiet as possible.. any modifications will make it louder. Easy way to check for air/vacum leaks.. at idle spray carb cleaner around joints/hoses. If the idle changes at all, you got a leak.

Hope that helps.. don't really know if any of it relates to your problem <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

-Scerb