Well, the HS8 has the fuel bowls facing each other.. so I'm not able to use a single cable for the chokes. I think it'll work out.
After playing with the linkage tonight, I think the problem was a stripped mixture adjusting screw that was allowing the carb to return to a full lean condition. I changed the screw and it started in about 4-5 turns (after sitting for about 10 days). I think the addition of a real choke will completely solve that problem.
Still think I'm running too rich, even with the new UM needles. I didn't have enough time to take ride in it tonight, but tomorrow I'll put the A/F meter on to see how she runs.