If it's running too rich with the nuts all the way up, then "leaner" needles won't help (except to the extent that your old needles are worn out). The idle portion of the needles are all the same, the "lean" part is at mid to full throttle.
Most likely, you need to replace the jets (possibly needles too) and be more careful about getting the jets perfectly centered. When the centering is a bit off, the needle rubs on the side of the jet and eventually wears a groove that passes extra fuel.
Could be other things too, of course, like the jets not returning after you use the choke; fuel pressure too high; sunken floats, etc. But after you've checked all that, try changing the jets.