To check if it's getting fuel, you can spray a VERY SMALL amount of starting fluid into the airbox (or across the carb filters if you're running pods), and see if it starts. BE VERY CAREFUL with using starting fluid: it can cause problems for engines due to it's very volatile nature. No more than a second or two from the can.
If it does burble a bit, then mechanically everything else probably works (compression, valves, pistons, ignition timing, spark). Then it points to a problem most likely with fuel delivery. Silly things to check: petcock in the right position? Dirt in the inline fuel filter (if you run one)? Gas in the tank? If you have the fuel manifold valve (known as the Spawn Of Satan), and it's been sitting for a while, it takes quite a while to have the vacuum open the valve long enough to get fuel to the carbs. My '79 had that problem because I only rode it on the weekends. Saturday morning, 30-60 seconds of cranking to fill the carb bowls. Later that day and Sunday, no problem: started right up.
Also check your tires to make sure they are mounted correctly. Are they spinning the right direction? Maybe the bike isn't grounding properly due to the rubber content in the tires.
Hope this helps.
Luke M
About the last comment:
APRIL FOOLS!
Used to have a 1979 CB750L, sold it as a parts bike, now riding a slightly modified 1984 VT700C. Network/Field Engineer. Central OH, USA, Earth, Sol System, Milky Way Galaxy, Universe.
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