Sparking is normal. Back EMF from coil. When the energy field in the coil collapses, both the primary and secondary make a voltage spike. I think its about 400V at the points. The Condenser (capacitor) reduces the current (and heating) from this arcing and extends point life. The condensers also help make higher spark current.
The PD carbs were EPA carbs. In conjunction with the stock exhaust, much leaner mixtures were possible, and the carb was made to provide that. EPA didn't want users to frick with the slow jets, so they became swagged in types. I don't think Honda ever offered replacements separately. You want new slow jets? Buy a whole carb body.
Anyway, they can be removed. Grab them with pliers, padded with leather and pull them straight out. The orifice inside the tube is only about 0.014 ish. in diameter.
Not recommended to make it the hole bigger unless you are going to abandon an air filter for the bike.
Anyway , you must see light through them, or you can not expect fuel to flow through them. Probably should verify the pilot circuit in the carb, too. There are 4 entries/exits. The pilot jet, the pilot air jet, the carb bore exit, and the adjust screw hole. There is an o ring a washer behind that screw spring. Don't lose//damage them.)
Unless the air you have is quite dirty/smoky, it is difficult to "prove" each of the above holes connects to all the others. Which is why I use liquid carb cleaner to observe flow from each while blocking two.
If the pilot jets/circuits are blocked, choke forces fuel from the main/throttle valve, in order to keep the engine running.
Don't expect these carbs to idle well or give a decent throttle response without any air filter. The exhaust restriction is less critical, but still a factor in the proper fuel mixture settings of these carbs, and in idle smoothness.