Motorcycle Repair: spring, overflow tube, going in the right direction

Question
QUESTION: I bought a 79 sporty in the late fall, rode it a few times, then it sat for a while in the winter.  I had a charger on the battery, but I think the charger quit on me.  Anyway, I guess it went about a month or so without being started, now it is being a little stubborn.  Cranks but won't start.  I cleaned the plugs and checked the gap.  Can I use a spray in hte carb?  Any suggestions?  

Mike
ANSWER: First, check to make sure you have a good gas flow. Look down the throat of the carb and turn the throttle, are you getting a squirt of gas?
Mike

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Yes I am getting gas, it started first try every time, before it sat.
ANSWER: Next thing to check is the spark. You might have a bad coil or plug wires. You can do a OHMs test ont hem to determine if they are weak or bad. If you need to know how to do the test let me know.
Mike

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Mike,
I pulled the plugs one at a time with the wires attached, I have spark.  I took off the air cleaner, when I turn the throttle the gas squirts about 8 ft out of the carb.  Is that going in the right direction?? I also notice gas coming from the overflow tube.  I had the carb apart to check the size of the jets, did I put it back together wrong?  It is an S&S shorty super E.
Mike

Answer
Gas shouldnt squirt out the carb, it should squirt down the throat of the carb, so you have somthing wrong there. If gas is coming out the overflow tube then you have a bad needle and seat or the float is not set right. Your going to hav to pull the carb and do an inspection to see what the problem is.
Good luck and happy riding
Mike