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[BoricuaVTX1300]

Hey guys, I know its been a while since I have been on the site, something that has changed is that I got the nick name happy feet...  Any ways, I am having problems turning on my bike.  Last week it wouldn't start, I put carb cleaner and nothing, then on Friday night, it started just fine.  We went out for a ride on Saturday, and got home fine.  Come monday, I tried starting it to go to work, it started and about 10 seconds later, when I tried driving away, it turned off and it wouldn't start again.  Bike sounds good, the battery is fine.  I am thinking its the plugs, any thoughts?

[Gumbo]

So are you saying it won't turn over or it just won't stay running, if the later you might want to check all you vacuum lines.
I once had an issue that was very hard to detect, the little box under the seat, if you standing on the side of the bike with the pipes, to the far right, check the black wire and make sure it is secure. Mine looked like it was connected, but it was indeed broken, caused me many headaches before finding this and fixing it, never had a problem again.

If you thinking it is electrical, check the battery make sure the cables are tight, check the starter button, and the cutoff switch. Just a few places you can start.

Good luck. 

[BoricuaVTX1300]

The engine turnes, but it wont start.  I was told it can be the battery, so I am going to charge it over night.  I will check the wires and keep you guys posted.  Thank you again.  If anybody else comes up with any other ideas, please let me know.

[hipshot]

Like Larry said, it's likely the vacuum line. Look behind the fuel valve and you'll see a small (IIRC, it's a 1/8" line) vacuum line running to a tee. Check all branches of it.

[TAZ]

It might be your petcock vacuum diaphragm.  Take your fuel line off and turn your gas on.  Then pull some vacuum on the diaphragm and see if gas comes out.

If you have gas then it maybe like Michelle's was.  Her float valve was stuck closed from sitting. Easy fix just pull the carb and then the bowl and it's right there.

Good Luck!

[mikeyr]

If the spark plugs have never been changed I would put new plugs in just to see if that is the problem.

[BoricuaVTX1300]

Ok, so I did what you guys asked and checked the vacuum lines and they where all ok.  I pulled the petcock all the way out and nothing, I moved in in while trying to start the bike, and It wanted to start.  So I did it again, but pushing the petcock even slower, and I got the bike to turn on.  Any ideas?  Do I have to get a new petcock?  Can I clean out the petcock I currently have in there?

[TAZ]

Ok, so I did what you guys asked and checked the vacuum lines and they where all ok.  I pulled the petcock all the way out and nothing, I moved in in while trying to start the bike, and It wanted to start.  So I did it again, but pushing the petcock even slower, and I got the bike to turn on.  Any ideas?  Do I have to get a new petcock?  Can I clean out the petcock I currently have in there?

It might be your petcock vacuum diaphragm.  Take your fuel line off of the petcock and turn your gas on.  Then turn the bike over to pull some vacuum on the diaphragm and see if gas comes out at a good flow. If you have a good flow it is for sure your float valve.