hey i have a 97f3 with 18000 miles, my issue is i cannot get it started its turning over but not cranking up. i tried to jump start it and nothing still. some suggestions ive hade are... stator, voltage regulator/rectifyer, and idle circut. please help thank you. oh by the way this all started when i was cruisin around then the bike shut off, could not pop the clutch to jump start it, it wouldnt do anything. then id stop get it running again and then whenever i would rev high it would kill again. and now it wont start.

 

Two things that don't make a bike run are nofuel andno spark so see if you have spark at the plugs and make sure your getting fuel to the carbs. also the rectifyer are notorious for going out on these bikes. that would be my first suggestions.

 

+1 for R/R being problem, have it checked

 

what is the best way to check the plugs for spark?

 

I had a similar problem with my F3 also. Riding around town and then it just shuts off. Let it set for a well and it starts up. I then could only make it a few blocks that it would shut off again. The problem was my fuel pump. So with as many miles on your bike you stated your fuel pump can be bad. Check and make sure that it is pulsing when you turn on the ignition as you crank the starter. If not its bad or its not getting any power so check for that.

 

The way i checked mine was i took out the number one cylinder plug and put it back in the plug wire and held it close to the head while you crank the engine. don't know if thats the right way to do it but worked for me...