Motorcycle Repair: Carbs, old harleys, honda vt600c

Question
We have a 1993 Honda VT600c Shadow. We STOLE this thing from a Chevy dealer, and she runs great!

Recently she started to spit and sputter like the plugs were loaded up. we ran some carb cleaner through it, changed all the plugs.

Now if you start her up, let it idle for 20 minutes or so, then take off it's fine. But you have to do this every time. If you just try to start up and go, as soon as you accelerate it runs like the plugs are loaded up.

Also, my husband said it happened after he put gas from a gas can in the tank.

We've ripped old Harleys apart with each other for 10 years, but we are very leary to touch the Honda carbs. It's a really nice bike, and paid for. We would like to be riding her! Any ideas greatly appreciated!  :)

Answer
Lisa,

I would start out by draining the fuel tank, removing the petcock so you can inspect the filter screen inside, the replace the fuel filter to ensure that no more contamination is coming into the fuel system.

http://www.cmsnl.com/honda-vt600c-shadow-vlx-1993-us_model7646/partslist/F++13.h...

Make sure that the carb enrichment cables are all working freely.
http://www.cmsnl.com/honda-vt600c-shadow-vlx-1993-us_model7646/partslist/E++1801...  There are air-cut valves that keep it from backfiring on deceleration and they have bad diaphragms.... The carb slide diaphragms need a look as well.

The carbs aren't all that scary....  take some photos as you go into it or get a shop manual and follow along with the directions.

Bill Silver