did you take the band screw clamps off the boots? if so, it can be a pain to take them off if they havent been off in a while. i thought something else was holding mine but after rocking it back and forth and side to side like a 64' impala i was able to free them loose. (ps - drink a couple beers before you put them back on, it will be a major pain in the ***)

 

Beer before putting them back on? A 1st timer?

The throttle cables were a bitch stone sober. Buzzed or drunk, I might have amputated a finger with em

 

the first time i cleaned mine i actually left the throttle and choke cables on, and just flipped the whole assembly over to the right and was able to access the bowls, jets, floats etc. (and after the fact I found out they were F2 carbs, and I had to replace them... but yeah, the throttle and choke cables irritated the hell out of me)

 

Clean the contact points on your fuel pump.Takes 400 grit paper and a whopping 15 minutes to do.

 

i already have the bike torn down to the carbs....but ill still give it a try once i start putting it back together