Lurker need help with a starting issue

We'll I joined the site a while back and have been lurking in the shadows for some time now. My son bought a 86 500 the end of last summer and we are just getting around to playing with it. The carbs were gummed up so we cleaned them and put them back on the bike to see what happens. We tried starting it but no luck, the bike cranked over and has spark but would not start. After some time I decided to try a little starter fluid and WA LA it fired right up idled and took throttle but shut it off and the thing would not even try to start again, repeat the starter fluid and it would fire and run on its own power but again if you shut it off it would not restart. I was going to tear the carbs back off but figured I would seek the advice of some of you more VF experienced guys. Any help or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Rick

 

PM Toe cutter, Tink or Squirrellman they are expert on Cab

 

Do you have fuel in the bowls and is the vacuum line on the pet cock connected correctly?

 

What is your definition of "cleaning the carbs" ?? Did you remove the pilot jets and check for blockage ??


Rollin

 

I just hooked up a small gas tank and ran the line rite to the carbs. Yes the bowls do have gas and thecarbs were taken apart and cleaned in a ultrasonic cleaner. The only new parts were float needles.

 

With blockages, u need more cleaning. Idle jets need wire-probing to assure fuel can pass through, and idle mixture screw passages need carb spray followed by high-pressure compressed air (while the idle jets are removed).




STOP with the starting spray immediately since it will damage pistons, rings, and cylinders. Carbs need more attention if it's not getting enough fuel to start or idle.