1982 KZ650 cranks but won't start

Hi everyone, I'm new here. I got this bike about 8 months ago, and it's had to sit ever since I got it. I bought it, rode it home (about 20 miles) and it died on me. No lights or anything. It would bump start, but would surge with lights and blinkers, it was really weird. Anyways, I got to working on it today, and found that all the fuses were blown or broken, and I found a few disconnected leads in the headlight. I fixed all that, and got it running, but it would immediately die if I tried to give it any throttle at all, so I figured the carbs needed cleaned. I went out and got a couple cans of cleaner and some new air filters, and I also got new spark plugs. After cleaning the carbs thoroughly, installing the new air filters, and changing out the plugs, it won't start. It cranks VERY strong, it's getting fuel (I pulled the float bowl drains to make sure), and it's getting strong spark, but it just won't start. It won't even pop or sputter. I don't have or have access to a compression tester, or that would've been my next test. All the connectors are clean and tight, and I pulled the petcock from the tank and cleaned the filter. Anyone have any more ideas?

Let's make sure you've got the basic procedure: choke up; no throttle at all; pull in clutch lever; gas on ; kill switch on RUN, tranny in neutral. Before I tried to start it again, I would inspect and clean plugs. Once it starts, push the choke down gradually to keep the RPMs at a reasonable level (<2000) until it warms up enough to shut choke off. Ed

Yeah, I got all that. Choke is pulled out, not twisting the throttle at all, the petcock is on, neutral, yupp. Fresh gas, clutch pulled, I mean, it turns over just fine, it just won't start. I put new plugs in it already. Is there a sidestand switch maybe?

just for reference, what do you use to clean the plugs? Do you just blow them off with brake clean, or wire brush them or what?

I would check to be sure the plugs are gaped properly and when you cleaned the carbs if you didnt remove them you may have a bunch of cleaner in the engine also if that is the case you may need to pull the plugs and crank the engine a few times to pump the crap out and clean your plugs and did you take carbs apart to clean or just spray off

i just use starting fluid and a wire brush to clean plugs but brake fluid works also really any cleaning solvent works as far as kick stand swithches and other of that nature will interupt spark so if you are getting fire to the plugs i would think that would kinda rule most of that out

yeah, I pulled the carbs off the bike and pulled the bowls and jets and cleaned them real good with brake clean. You couldn't even see through the main jets or pilot jets, they were so plugged up, but the funny thing is, I could start it. Now that it's clean, it won't, lol! I was really careful not to mix up the jets from one carb to the next. I didn't pull the carbs apart, and I didn't pull the tops off, I just opened up the bowls and cleaned the jets and passages. I did notice when I first pulled the carbs from the bike, there was some gas in the bungs on the motor, so maybe the cylinders are still full of crud? I'll go try pulling the plugs and cranking the motor, and I'll gap them before I re-install them. Does anyone know the spec off hand?

There's no sidestand or other switches other than clutch and kill. Do you have the bike on the centerstand when you try to start? After you try to start it several times are the plugs wet or dry? Ed

it's on the center stand, and after cranking it a few times and pulling the plugs, they are wet.

I dont have specks for that bike most plugs run between .28-.32 did you pull the floats off

nope

I have had this issue after taking the carbs apart before the needle valves were sticking on me a light peck on the carbs seems to free them up be very careful doing this and avoid any moving parts and use a rubber hammer if possible I have also seen a guy clean carbs on a twin and put the floats in upside down holding the needle valve closed and not letting anything get in the engine had plenty of gas in the bowl none to the engine thats why i asked if you took the float off