I follow most of that Bob, but I don't understand why you can't drop to the middle position governor spring setting. If that gives you a sensible speed (like 3,000 rpm) just before the choke closes, it would be operating like a modern Honda: past the speed control lever detent the choke is on, just before that detent the choke is open and the engine runs on maximum governed speed (3,000 rpm). If you want to you can set intermediate speeds between 3,000 and idle (2,000 rpm) but I currently use 3,000 rpm for mowing, and 2,000 for emptying the catcher or wheeling the machine around between grass patches. The choke detent may be part of the secret ingredient for making it work: it jumps between full choke and full speed with no choke, so you don't expect smooth operation between the two.
Has every GV150 you've seen, had the governor spring in the highest speed position? If so, have you figured out why?
