You didnt touch the carb at all did you? Just did the variator?
When you say it chokes, do you mean like its going to stall?
Mine does that if its real wet or cold sometimes if i dont let it warm up before i ride it. In that weathet i normally turn on my scoot on the stand and then leave it to run while i get my gear on, after a few mins the revs die down when the auto-choke goes off and im good to go. On days like that if i dont warm it up 1st it wont run as well and even stalls or cuts out at traffic lights etc sometimes, if i let it warm up tho its fine.
What size jet is in it now? Should be 82 if its de-restricted but still on the stock air filter. Even if its only got an 80 jet in i wouldnt expect amy idle issues.
Does it idle ok and its only when you give it some throttle it "chokes"? Once its warmed up and running is it ok or does it always feel like its choking?