Motorcycle Repair: Vulcan 700 one cylinder quits running, engine cranks, random ideas

Question
I have a 84 vulcan 700, cranks fine and runs fine for the first 1/4 mile and then loses power big time. Its the front cylinder not running. If i crank it an hour later, its the same, but leave it overnite and it will run fine again for a short distance. I can pull the plug wires from the front with no change in idle, if i pull the back the engine dies. The engine cranks, just no power. Checking on the net says that its a carb problem, others say coil. I really dont want to pull carbs for no reason. Any hints to where to start would really help. Thanks, larry

Answer
Larry,
Here are some random ideas I had,

can you switch coils?
Otherwise it sounds like it may be running out of fuel
on that front cylinder.
Sometimes coils act up when hot, but yours
sounds like it barely has time to heat up the coils.
Does the choke make any difference?
Could be a sticky carb float valve needle.
Tried new spark plug?
Can you have the compression checked?
Is there a gas tank vent or cap vent?
Plugged vent can create a vacuum that holds
fuel back.
Will the front cylinder run if you spray
wd-40 or carb cleaner in the carb intake?
If it is a fuel problem, it should fire
on that. Is there spark on front cylinder after it quits?