Motorcycle Repair: general, yamaha vstar 1100, pbm

Question
Hi Chris.
I have a very basic question. Have a 2000 Yamaha VSTAR 1100. Never had a pbm with it. I did not use it for 4 months. When I tried to start it, it would not. Symptoms are :
- Battery seems OK, ( all lights etc...working)
-I get an electric start but does not go through.
-Does not get to the level where the engine is starting (i.e. not the same as if I ran out of gas for e.g.)
I just want to know what are a few things. (For example how do I check the spark plugs, etc...) I can do before I pay hundreds of dollars to have soemone come on site to fix it.
Thanks

Answer
Hi Mo.
 Well, to start with, you let it sit for months without prepping it for storage first.

 Remove all of the fuel from the bike and reseal the tank.  That will seal out any contaminants there.  Next, bull and properly clean the carbs.  Then check the battery with a hygrometer.  Chances are you have one or more bad cells.  If that is the case, then you need to replace the battery.

Good luck.
FALCON