Reviving an old 'cane
 

Well, now that I have some free time, it's time to get the hurricane running. I picked it up this winter. It's beat and ugly. I replaced the spark plugs, the starter solenoid, and cleaned up some contacts. I Drained some of the old gas from the tank via the petcock. I also drained the carbs (screw on each carb) The battery is good, the bike turns over, but I'm not sure if I'm getting spark or fuel. What should I do next?

ignition first, if no fire to plugs then check the coils are receiving a signal from the box. A simple test light will work. all the manuals are available here on the forums. I can be a bit more specific with the help if you would share what year model it is.

First off make sure your battery is good.
Often they will turn over but not fire because the battery doesn't have enough "go"
Then check your choke is working correctly. These bikes don't like to start without a choke.

Then +1 to what Fat Man says.
I'd pull the carbs off and clean out the jets if it's been standing awhile.

Once you've got your spark sorted, squirt some 'Aerostart' or similar into the airbox intake while you crank it over.

You might end up having to pull the carbs off and give them a good clean too. If it's been standing for a while the old fuel will have gummed things up.

BTW, Welcome to the forum mk4. Pop into the Saloon for a drink and talk some sh!t anytime. Hop into any threads you like, or start your own on any...almost:)...topic.

You have to buy the first round though:D.

cut the plugs cable 1/4 of an inch and push the cable all the way to ignition coil.

The battery is good. It appears as though the PO had the spark plug wires in the wrong order. I have a little time today, I might try some starting fluid. If that's a no go, then I'll have to clean the carbs. The spark plug wires seem to separate easily, I'm just twisting them back on. I hope that it's not a problem. Anyone know of a link to a carb cleaning tutorial? I'm fairly new to two wheels.

Got the bike to start and run for a few seconds with the help of starting fluid.

I'm assuming the few seconds that the bike ran was all starting fluid. I'm probably going to have to tear into the carbs and clean them out real good.

I've got a few questions.

The shop manual shows for the left coil, it's 1-4, right coil 2-3, it this true for an '87?

The bike makes a good deal of noise (clanking) upon starting up an makes a pretty good racket upon successive starting attempts, is this normal?

Is choke open pulled to you or away from you?

yeah here's a general how to handy vid

YouTube - ‪How to clean motorcycle carbs 1/3‬‏

1-4 & 2-3 yes

Choke on is down (towards you) choke off is up (away from you)

Clanking noise "could" be cam chain rattle. How many miles/km on the engine?

I'm having a rough time of pulling out the slow jet in one of the carbs. Anyone got any tips to get the slow jets out?

How about a source for new ones if I fubar them up?