Update... checked the coil, 4.8 ohms on the primary side and 22,000 on the secondary. So that's not it. Tore the carb apart, replace the needle cause the other one was slightly bent. Put a new filter on the float valve housing, cause I left it off the last time I ventured into the carb. replaced a few other things that came with a complete rebuild kit. put it all back together, started her up, she ran fine for 12 seconds, then died.
First thing I did was to check the spark. Pulled the plug wire, put another plug in and plenty of spark. So that's not it. OK, now I'm thinking all this engine needs is spark, fuel and air, right? got spark, got fuel, I'll check the new K&N air filter. No idea how it could be clogged, but what the heck, I'll check it. Then I smelled fuel. Filter was clean but fuel was filling up the filter housing. WTF??
Already have a Raptor petcock so that's not it. Pulled the plug and it's wet. The only thing I haven't already changed out in the carb is the float and float pin. Every time I've pulled the carb apart I shake the float and listen for any fuel inside the floats. Always dry. They look OK and the pin appears fine.
I don't think this is part of the original problem, But at this point I'm open to every freaking weird ass thing that could drive me crazy chasing this freaking phantom. I need an old priest and a young priest.
Thinking I should buy a motorcycle so I have a motorcycle to ride while I'm working on a motorcycle. Or, take my 12 gauge and unload it on this cursed bike. Think I could collect insurance on that? Claim the bike committed suicide?