Dana,
You seem to have already found my biggest gripe with Mikuni's. Let fuel stand in the float bowl for a couple weeks and the float will stick. If you are lucky, a sharp rap on the side of the bowl will stop it. Then ride it enough to let the fresh fuel flush the needle and rods the floats ride on.
If not, you will have to take apart the float bowl and thoroughly clean the needle and seat and the rods the double floats ride on. It seems that with today's fuels, the rods get gummy very easily.
I have a few bikes in the garage and seem to have less time than ever to ride. This is not good for the bikes or me! Those that ride with the Mikuni's on a regular basis don't seem to have as much problem.
As far as which side is reserve, it doesn't matter. The factory manuals seem to show reserve on the right. However, I have seen at least one showing it on the left, and at least a couple bikes which were set up at the dealer on the left.
Ron L