Agreed on the need for cleaning the carbs, but make sure you have everything else: good compression, good ignition, clean oil in the case, well-charged battery, good fuses, etc. You say it did *pop* a bit when trying to start it. Might be fouled plugs as well. Honda does not recommend using starting fluid at all, but a SMALL amount shot into the carb box can determine if the issue is fuel flow through the carbs, or something deeper.
You can't get the carbs too clean. There are some excellent how-tos on this forum and out on the Internets on how to clean the carbs. Take your time, be thorough, don't force anything, and be meticulous.
Welcome to the forum. We'll help as much as we can.
Luke M
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.