Purring for months - today biting the dust

Rode for 2.5 hours just now - running beautifully up until 30 min ago - she died 3-4x, started right away each time, so yeah, now almost certain it IS points (my mechanic said same thing.) I'm not happy I still have a problem - but I AM glad to know at least it wasn't operator error or that I was imagining things!

Hee hee hee. You got me! I was kinda hoping I wouldn't be called out on that - but.... ahem. Yes, you are entirely correct (as I'm sure you know!) This morning I thought "hey what the hell, I'll try my key again to access the battery" - and to no surprise to anyone but myself - it worked (I could just die) Have returned from 2.5 hour ride and shall now be charging my 3 month old battery (loser!) I'm a lefty - and incapable of efficiently using my right arm/leg - so Ive been super "cool" kickstarting the bike dismounted with my left foot - hahaha

Glad I never did anything that silly 

Some old British bikes had the kickstart on the other side of the bike, requiring right handed folk to do exactly the opposite of what you have been doing. Frequently a weirdly awkward dance.

Aaaaaaaaaargh! Evidently the problem is that the tank was totally rusty - clogged the carbs and fuel line - I was going to buy a new one, but they're all ugly, wrong color, stupid expensive, etc. So instead of messing around with all that, I'm having it cleaned and re-coated (or whatever it's called) - the dude is charging me $500, which I figure I'd be paying anyway to have one repainted and it would likely need to be cleaned and whatnot. I knew it wasn't a big deal mechanically, but I didn't anticipate having to pay almost $1000 ($200 today + $500 + whatever it costs for carb cleaning etc) My life SUCKS! 
P.S. Mr. TEXASKZ - I'll have you know I am suave and graceful with my left leg kickstart action! Likely only because it fires up on the first kick (or rather, DID)
WAAAAAAAAAA

I am impressed by your suavity. 
Have you already committed to having the tank cleaned and treated? If not, it is not a complicated process, and requires very few tools. Even I can do it.

If you want to give it a go, let me know.