Finally got the bike to start up. It'll start up and idle just fine with the choke all the way open, but shuts off as soon as I either try closing the choke or touch the throttle at all. If anyone has any ideas why, that would help a lot. Thanks!

 

When is the last time the bike was started and have you ever cleaned the carbs?

 

I bought the bike about 2 months ago not running. Guy said he last started it about 4 months before that, then started parting it out. He cleaned the carbs right before I bought it. I pulled them apart to check, and they're clean.

 

How do you know the insides of the passages are clean if you didn't clean them.

I'd start by cleaning everything inside the carbs.

 

x2 These bikes are notorious for dirty carb problems, dont be suprised if you have to clean them once a year. They HATE dirt.

 

i recently got a '89 cane engine and im trying to put it into a mini sand rail, but you said that the carbs are very sensitive to dirt. how much dirt?

 

No as long as you have them filtered you will be fine. Just overtime the way the carbs sit, the dirt collects in the most unconvenient places and requires you to clean them about once a year. (After winter storage)