1977CB750 Noise when trying to start

[Vicecube]

Hi all,
Newbie question was hoping you could assist with identifying the issue.  I just picked up this '77 CB750 and seems to run good if it starts - however, just tried starting today and get this odd noise when trying to start (for the life of me cannot get it to start today) - sounds like some sort of slippage.  It sounds like it may be coming from the area that holds the stator or the area housing the starting motor - pulled the cover off the stator shell area and didn't see anything that looked odd.  I'm not a mechanical guru by any means (yet) - picked this bike up to learn more and have as a first project bike.  I recorded and put on youtube (click below) for assistance in identifying.  Any advice/help greatly appreciated - thanks!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lBDDIXAV2s

[TOOLS1]

That noise is normal on these bikes. It is caused by the starter drive kicking in and out when the engine tries to fire. Since it is trying to fire, I am going to assume all 4 plugs are firing. So it sounds like it is not getting fuel. Check to see if each carb is getting fuel by loosening the bowel drain screws on the bottom of each carb one at a time to see if gas comes out. If that is OK, then it is time to clean the carbs. Wiyh the keyhole carbs it is not too difficult to do.
TOOLS

[Vicecube]

Awesome - thanks for the tip Tools - glad to hear that's normal, was worried about something being stripped out.
I only checked two of the plugs and they were firing.  Will check the others to confirm and next up I guess will be the carbs.  Appreciate it!

[Re-run]

When you check for fuel, make sure you have hoses attached to the drains. Sometimes people take those off. Don't want fuel pooling on the engine. Not only is it a fire hazard, but it will slowly eat the clear coat and then the engine paint.

[Vicecube]

Good tips- appreciate it guys.  Had someone post on my YouTube video that they thought the noise was the starter clutch slipping - u guys think this might be a potential concern or confident the sound is normal? Plan to dig into fuel flow this weekend.

[TOOLS1]

I AM CONFIDENT IN MY DIAGNOSES!!!!! What is happening is that when the engine attempts to fire the crankshaft starts to spin and the starter drive starts to disengage. Then the engine dies, but since you are still pressing the starter button, the starter attempts to reengage on the somewhat still turning crankshaft, causing the noise.
TOOLS

[Vicecube]

Thanks Tools! Will let you know if I can get 'er to start after playing around this weekend.  Appreciate the help!

[Vicecube]

Alright guys, trying to check fuel flow and got a dumb newbie question on carbs.  
disconnected fuel line and fuel flows fine from petcock of tank
added in a fuel filter and reconnected
want to check if fuel is getting into carbs - but this is my first time messing with carbs - want to make sure I don't jack something up
This is what my carbs look like on my '77.  Do I just remove the 3 screws (shown in blue arrow)?  Do I need to unscrew the red arrow (what is this one for?  fuel mixture set I assume?? - seems to currently be set at about 2 turns out...does this seem right?)

[TOOLS1]

The screw you want to loosen to check if fuel is in the carb is the one on the bottom of the float bowel. It is the one in the picture that does not have an arrow. The other screw is the "fuel screw" otherwise known as the idle circuit. Two turns out is about right. I am guessing that the pilot jets are plugged in the carbs from what was happening in your video. Have you downloaded the Honda Service Manual from our manual thread? You should study it before tearing into the carbs.
TOOLS