1981 xj650 maxim died and now will start but dies right away

So I bought this bike two weeks ago and it was running well passed safety but when I was riding today it started losing power and when I stopped it wouldn't start back up. I cleaned the carbs last week although the boots do look worn and I did an ol change but I can't get it to start and run now. It makes a grinding sound sometimes when I try to start it and since I bought it it has idled high and I can't take off the choke all the way even when its warmed up or it dies at idle. Any ideas or info would be great!

 

Welcome to the forum. O.K. then, it sounds like you got a problem with the carbs. You mentioned that you cleaned them. I guess my first question would be is-what exactly type of cleaning did you do? I ask because these carbs need to be taken apart & every last piece/part has to be thoroughly clean. Any shortcuts & youre just wasting time.
& yes, you could be experiencing a vacuum leak with the boots as well.

 

We pulled them apart and basically sprayed everything with carb cleaner including floats and all that jazz. They seemed very clean as it was though. Now I can get it to start and idle for a minute but as soon as I put it in gear it dies slowly

 

Well i figured it out. I cleaned out the petcock and found some rust and other gunk as well as cleaned the gas tank out and now it runs great.