Motorcycle Repair: 1983 honda shadow carb problems, fuel pump relay, plug gap

Question
I recently purchased a used 1983 honda shadow and after i got it home it and ran it for a while it shut off.  Now i can get it to run for a max of five minutes and it will shut off.  Now i don't now much about motorcycles, but i think it might be a carb problem of some sort.  I need some help with this problem, not sure what to start checking.  Will you please write back and tell me what you think.

Yours truly,
Matt Klaassen

Answer
It could be carbs, fuel pump or it could be ignition. When it happens, pull a plug boot off, and put a different spark plug in the boot and hold it up against the head.  Then crank the engine.  Make sure there's a good spark across the plug gap.  Assuming there is, you're looking for a fuel delivery problem.  It could be a plugged fuel filter, or a fuel pump or the fuel pump relay getting hot and quits working.

Good luck
Rich