I took my 1999 XL1200C on a fifteen mile ride , after stopping for fuel it started to backfire with white oily smoke coming from the aircleaner and rear exhaust on deceleration . It got me home backfiring all the way though now it will not start just spins on the starter . Ive pulled the plugs which are black wet and oily , Ive run a compression test and both cylinders are showing 100 psi compression . i have removed and cleaned out the carb and changed the plugs . It will only fire up now if i spray carb cleaner into the carb while holding the starter button .This results in violent backfiring and the oily white smoke before the engine dies again . Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I have to solve the problem myself as I do not have the finances to take it to a shop .

 

Fuel pump? Sounds like it's starved for fuel.

 

Sounds like you are not getting throughput to the carb...check everything that feeds it i.e. petcock, fuel line, fuel filter, main/pilot jets, etc.

 

Pull the intake, replace the rubber gaskets to the heads....my 97 was acting the same way. Rebuilt the carb, and while it was off changed the gaskets...they were cracked from age and heat, which made it run lean.....Youll be glad you did.

 

You said it started after stopping for gas. Maybe bad gas?