Thanks all! Just wanted to follow up on this in case my case helps others.
You were all right... The problem wasnt warm/cold engine or the choke, it was the overall idle speed after I performed the oil & air filter maintenence. I played with the idle adjuster a bit and sure enough, its idling like a champ again.
One note: the bike starting stalling bad after I changed the oil and filter, and also cleaned the air filter and breather element. The breather was filthy, not sure if previous owner ever cleaned it. I think that it being cleaned may have greatly increased the amount of air coming in/out, which threw off what was previously a healthy idle speed. The bike was just dying unless I throttled. Just a theory.
The choke advice was very helpful too, though, as it helped as well.
As for being in tune, I still have some work to do in order to get it there. Its in good shape but is due for the general maintence which Im working through. A bit overwhelming and no mechanics around here want to tune it for me (all either service Harley only or just say they wont get to it for over a month).
Thanks again.
