Motorcycle Repair: 99 Honda 750 Shadow, honda 750 shadow, reserve fuel

Question
Help! I was riding the bike to work when it started to sputter so I switched to reserve. It died like it ran out of gas even though there is reserve fuel. Added more gas and turned back to normal feed but it still won't fire. Took the line off the bottom of fuel filter and it flows. Tried a bit of starting fluid in the air filter and it fires up and runs for a few seconds, then dies. Took the line off the fuel pump and hit start and nothing comes out. Power plug to fuel pump is in, but I can't get it out to check for voltage. Is there any way to check the pump short of replacing it? Or is there anything else it might be? Thanks for your help.

Answer
Daniel,

-your bike has a fuel cut relay,
The black/blue wire is the power wire
to the fuel pump coming from the relay.
Check for power on that wire
when you push the starter button.

-If you have power to the pump and
no fuel flows, then your pump is likely
bad.

-If you have no power to the pump,
check the relay, it should be near the pump.
-Check fuses.