I just bought a 1992 gs500e for a project.  It only has 6k miles on it.  The last guy said it would die when he was running it.  He thought it was a clogged fuel filter.  i cleaned the tank and Fixed his mess up with the fuel lines.  Now the fun part.

The bike is hard to start.  I keep getting a raw fuel smell while trying to start it.  I jumped it with a car battery and it will start to fire then eventually run.  It does not have any power at low rpms and when I get into the powerband it will stall and I have to crank it several times to start it.  I have tried all three positions on the petcock and no luck.  The guy I bought it from did a carbuator rebuild about two years ago. 

Could this still be a fuel problem with the petcock or vacuum leak or do you think I am looking at a possible electrical problem??

Welcome!

FIrst I would see if the battery is any good.  Is it sulfated at the bottom?  Does it have fluid?

Second, the carbs.  DId the guy run the bike every week for the past two years?  Probably not.  I'll bet that bike sat for two years, and now the carbs are all gummed up with old, bad gas.  Clean the carbs.

And, you stated that you cleaned the tank.  Was it rusty?  Was there alot of flakes and sediment?  If so, that same flakes and sediment is probably plugging up the carbs, and probably the frame petcock.

The battery is new.  I had to jump start the bike because I drained the battery trying to start the bike.  I fogot to mention that oops.
I do not know how long the bike set befor the guy I bought it from tried to run it. 

The shut off on the tank is it open when the slot is pointing straight down??  I was just wondering if I had the fuel all the way on.  I dont think I would be getting raw fuel smell if it was not on.

Yes.  You're probably just flooding/pumping gas through.  Check for spark.

The tank petcock is kind of annoying, there is a little arrow (it's hrd to see) that must point to the on position, the stop is a little bit past that and then fuel will only trickle out. First make sure that is right.

I'd pull your carbs and clean them out, it sounds like your floats may be stuck, allowing fuel to spill into the airbox and making it flood out. Put a clear length of tubing on the carb drain to set your float level. While the carbs are off put an inline filter just before the carbs, it only takes one speck of dirt to make the bike run like crap. Put your battery on a charger too
Good luck 

I did checked the petcock and I am getting fuel.  I did the float level check and I think the floats are ok. 
The hose I used did not make a good seal. 

I checked for spark and the right cylinder has a good spark but no spark on the left.  I am getting the ohm readings and starting to check the wiring and coils.  Ug  well any little oolies I do not know about.  I dont know if the problem will be in the coils or in the ignition module.  I am wondering if the gererator may have a problem.  No if that was the problem I dont think I would have a spark on the right side.  Hmm I will switch the plugs and see it that may be the problem.  Man I am going to laugh it is just the plugs.  I hope. 

Oh I want to thank all of you for the help so far.  I do appreciate your input and I would be lost without it.  Thanks again.

If you still don't get spark after you drop in new plugs, try swapping the plug wires, then the coils, then the sensors on the crank.  When it flips from one side to the other, you found the problem.

Also check the small ground wire coming from the battery.  Make sure it isn't damaged and the connector it goes into is free from damage and corrosion.

I now have a spark and bike is running.  (not well though)  When I lift the left plug I am getting nailed.  HA ha bike has a bite.  Looks like I need new wires also. 

The bike is acting weird it will idle for a while and then rev itself up to around 5k or 6k rpm.  Sometimes it will return to normal and other times I have to adjust the idle screw.  It could be a cable acting up. I need to change both the throttle and choke cables.  Choke is stuck. 

Bike has alot of power  now it is using both cylinders. 

I am dropping it off to have the carbs synched cables replaced and what ever else they stick me with.  I am just glad the coils and elect were not the problem.  Checked at suzuki and ouch cost as much as what I paid for the bike.  Live and learn.  Hey what should a carb cleaning and synching normally cost???  I have never done it myself and I dont really have the time with work. 

Thanks again for the input.

Two to three hours at the shop rate.