Motorcycle Repair: Banshee coughs and backfires, cody johnson, valve adjustment

Question
Chris, Whenever i start my 94 banshee it just backfires and coughs, whenever i try to give it throttle it wont rev up , it just backfires and sputters out untill it dies. I took the carbs off clean them and there was no problem with them, put them back on and still had the same problem, i dont know what to do , and i figured you would, thanks              
                    Cody Johnson

Answer
Hi Cody.

 Backfiring is rarely a fault of the carbs.  If it were, it would be because the carbs are running rich because the mixture is wrong.  Due either to tampering or misadjustment, or a loose needle valve.

 Normally, backfiring is due to the timing and valve adjustment being way off.  When was the last time the bike was tuned up properly (in accordance with the recommended repair schedule and specs in the repair manual)?

Check the plugs and see if any are fouled.  If they are all fouled, then replace them, do the tune-up and see what you get.  If they foul after that, double-check the needle valves and their settings.  Make sure that they are seated correctly.

Start there and see what you get.

Good luck and ride safe.
FALCON