OK, gonna have to get a fat lady , so she can sing....
After several days of event-free riding the problem is back. I guess that the stepper is not the issue after all.
Today, I had ridden back roads to work and then interstate back. One of those times when it seemed to be running amazing well- very ta, ta, torquey - like bring on the sport bikes! Then on the way back home I noticed that the throttle seemed a little more "catchy" at low RPMs and less able to hold a low RPM at 3k or below evenly.
Back home I stopped for gas. Btw, my fuel guage went out recently- doesn't record fillups, but continues to count down as you ride (another post, maybe?). Right after filling up it started idling roughly about a block down the street. It then killed coming to the next stop light. After restart (right away) I had to rev it up to keep it running. Then, after about 5 minutes it seemed back to normal.
I'll go back over all the suggestions, but if someone sees an obvious pattern here, please share.
I have a MAP sensor on it's way. I have new coils at the ready. I have another primary TPS that I suspected a while back and replaced, but may (?) be OK, and another new one coming soon. I have a fuel filter on hand. Where to start? I'm thinking TPS or a bad coil. What say ye fine gents?