GZ not going over 50
 

I recently bought this bike and cleaned the carbs it had been sitting for a few years. changed oil and filter and changed gas. Is it common that this bike will not get over 50 very easily? I figured it would be faster.

ps - I have heard a pop from the exhause. the choke is weird for me to use, it works, but it doesn't.. and everytime I turn the engine off I hear a clanking noise coming from my leftside near my leg.

.....So you've got a bike that makes a clanging noise in the gear box, it won't go over 50, and it after fires through the exhaust?...

How pronounced if the clanking noise? Do you have full use of all 5 gears? (1 down - 4 up)
Some chainline noise is fairly common, but it's not a pronouced "clanking".

Explain the choke situation. It either works to help the bike get started when it's cold or the cable is disengaged and nothing happens.

What was the condition of the oil when you changed it?

These bikes aren't speed demons, but speeds into the 60s is very easy and they can reach somewhere in the neighborhood of 80mph.

Not sure about the flames and noises, but what gear are you in? I can hit 50 easily in 4th. But 5th is a little less useful.

The starter clutch make noise when the RPM are below +- 100 but i recommend to remove the cover an inspect the 3 bolts holding the clutch to the fly-well

You are right Raul. Some starters do make that noise when the engine is shut off. Weird but that is the design of the machine.
And yes to checking the bolts that you mentioned.