My sporty won't start up, and that was finally enough motivation to join the forum rather that the reading that I've been doing for a while.

Took the air filter off and quite literally JUST wiped out the reachable parts of the carb, and as soon as I put the filter back on it won't start. It's turning over and getting gas... but nothing. I would greatly appreciate any ideas.

 

Just to clarify, the REASON I did that was out of curiosity about buildup in the carb because the bike had been backfiring in the cold.

 

I looked one more time, and that beautiful blackened gas is coming out of the hollow bolts that go from the inside of the air cleaner to the cylinder. Am I wrong to assume that the cylinders are flooded?

 

Okay, not flooded. And to top it all off, I'm getting gas, spark, and compression. It will turn over, just won't catch.

 

Explain "won't catch"

 

Won't start, I should say.

 

I would start with the carb, sounds like the jets could be clogged.