Help, bike runs like shiz!

[Rider]

Originally Posted by Amber Lamps

So did you check the air box, fuel filter and plugs yet?...

Yes, air box was clear, plugs were still white and new looking(only about 200 miles on them), fuel filter looked ok. What I found though was a loose screw in the gas tank. Apparently one of the 1 1/2" screws from the bottom of the gas cap fell into the tank. Took a magnet fished it out and it seems to run much better. It idles now. I'm guessing that the screw was blocking fuel flow through the petcock but that doesn't explain the backfire when closing the throttle. I didn't have time to take it for a test ride but it's at least idling smoothly so it's a start anyway.