Trouble starting when cold!

Hey guys
I couldn't find a thread that dealt with this issue although i am new to the site and not very familiar with the forums. I am working on a 86 vf500 interceptor and i am having trouble getting her started after the bike has been sitting for a few hours (usually overnight) as of yesterday she would start right up with one or two clicks of the starter after i warmed her up (and used a little starter fluid), and i figured i finally had things figured out. this morning i tried and she turned over and started but then stalled at low rpms, this happened two or three times then i got nothing and stopped before i killed the battery...any help would be really appreciated.. fuel is not the issue because yesterday i shot some starter fluid in the air intake and she started and then ran no problem for an hour or so.
Thanks
Dan

 

Have you checked to see if the choke cable is connected and properly adjusted? Could also be that the fuel delivery system is weak. Have you checked the fuel pump and relay? Is there a fuel filter that might be clogged? When you are starting the bike cold, turn the key on and go to the OFF/RUN switch on the right handlebar. Turn the switch on and off a few times, each time you do this you should hear a click from the fuel pump. If you do not, the pump relay may not be working. Let us know how it goes.

 

checked the choke cable, it is connected and it appears to be adjusted (not too sure on how to do a thorough adjustment). There's no fuel pump, or any thing restricting flow, once i open the flue valve on the tank it should flow right to the carbs. Update...i just went out and got the bike to idle pretty well for thirty seconds at a time (500 rpms) but as soon as i try and give the bike any gas the engine stalls out.

 

I had a CRS attack on that one...........'86 does not have a fuel pump. Still sounds like a fuel starvation problem. Have you opened the float bowl drains to see if they are filling up? How about the gas cap vent, is it open?

 

Start with a thorough carb cleaning, and go easy on the starting fluid