We've had issues with the main wiring harness connection getting corrosion and causing start issues. They aren't water tight connectors for "who the F knows what honda was thinking" reasons.

 

I'll be out of town for a couple days but I'll try that when I get back, but wouldn't the fact that it didn't budge with starter fluid imply that it isn't a fuel issue?

 

How would I go about fixing that? Is that more of a job left to a mech?

 

O/T: They were too busy mounting that crossbar between the frame rails at a really inconvenient height to make it difficult to get the spark plugs out to provide water proof electrical connections.... (currently chasing electrical gremlins in my bike and saw this as an opportunity to complain, everyone else carry on).

back on topic
Dare I ask, how was the spark on the plugs? You mentioned the old plugs were grimy, were you getting bright solid spark? How old is your battery and have you killed it/recharged it multiple times before or during this starting issue. It may just be tired and you're out of cranking amps (still might hold 11-12 volts but the amperage may not be there if its older or has seen too many depletion cycles)

 

Yeah spark is good and bright. The battery is at least a year old, I'm not sure exactly though. I got the bike from Craigslist at the end of last summer so I can't remember how old the guy said it was. I have killed it at least a couple times over the last could weeks though