'84 VF750F in cart - bogging problem

Been having a bit of a problem with the cart as of late...engine starts/runs/idles fine when putzing around the driveway. When I get on it, it runs absolutely phenominal. Just screams to beat hell until I slow down to spin the cart around.

The cart decides then to bog out and want to die. No power, just bleh. My dad and I have determined that it is a fuel delivery problem and have a few ideas as to what the problem is, but we're not sure as to what is most likely etc. and wanted to see if you guys had any ideas. So far our most likely culprits are narrowed down to a few ideas:

1. Clogged fuel filter after the bike sat for 2.5 years
2. Possibly fuel sloshing in tank to extent of leaving the pickup dry
3. Weak fuel pump

with regards to number 3, we are using the OE pump. The one difference though compared to stock which we wonder if it has something to do with it is that in the stock setup, the pump is more of a helper device with the fuel mostly fed via gravity feed as the tank is above the carbs. With this setup, the tank etc. is below the engine so it has to pump the fuel up. Would this be a cause for concern?

Anything to check/ideas are most appreciated.

Thanks
M

 

Not sure if the lower tank/pump is a problem. I would think not, because the pump should pump from anywhere at the same pressure unless it's weak/bad. Check the float height setting. You may need a tad more because of fuel slosh in the bowls. Possible pump sucking air or low pressure?? Take the filter out of the picture for now. What's the fuel line routing like, any sharp bends/kinks??

 

No real sharp bends or anything of that nature. You can see a bit of the setup here...the tank is located next to the cockpit in this picture in front of the battery box with the fuel pump with the rectifier etc. in front of the engine. You can see the fuel line running up the side of the frame rail here as well on the right:


You can see the top of the pump in the picture here


I'm going to try to take the sloshing/sucking up air out of the picture tonight by topping the tank off. What's the easiest way to check the float height setting/adjust? I'm an EFI guy at heart and royally hate carbs

 

Did some snooping last night and found the root of the problem. Fuel pump was toast. unhooked the line from the carbs and they had very little fuel. Hooked the pump up to 12V directly and nothing. Replaced the pump with a generic purolator pump and she runs like a bat out of hell now.

Thanks for the help!
M