CBR600 F1 (88) - won't start/run correctly

[Nipedley]

Hey guys,

I had a weird issue with my CBR just before I left on holiday, I turned the ignition on, pressed the starter, and the whole bike died electrically - ignition lights off/headlights off etc. Turned the bike back off and on and it came back, pressed the starter and it was fine, off we went.

Cue my going on holiday for 2 weeks, get back and the bike starts up on the button. Halfway down the road and it majorly bogs down, will barely rev and when I do rev it up the exhaust note sounded weird (kind of blunted)

I had a bunch of stuff I intended to do on the bike so I stripped it down yesterday: New thermostat, new manual cam chain tensioner, and thoroughly cleaned carbs.

The bike fired up and ran for about 20 seconds and slowly dropped idle until it died, now it will start for about 2 seconds and sounds fine while it's running, then it will die and won't start until you leave it sit for a while. It also did the press the starter and the bike dies thing, again.

Since the carbs are spotless, and the fuel pump is good (turned the ignition on while the lines were disconnected from the carbs and fuel spilt out everywhere) and also the bike was only filled up about 3 weeks ago, I'm presuming not a fuel problem. Also the whole bike dies when the starter button is pressed thing, even though it's only done it twice, would seemingly point to an electrical problem.

What I would love to know is if the bike's electrics randomly dying when I push the starter (Battery is good) is related to the running issues or not..

My action plan is as follows:

Charge up the battery even though it's good it's probably a bit drained from the holiday and starting attempts
Test the reg/rec
Fit new ignition coils I have had for a while with new HT leads, and check all 4 spark plugs (new 700 miles ago)
Check/rewire CDI

But I can't see what in there would cause the bike's electrical system to die when I hit the starter (twice in maybe 40 start attempts so far)

Suggestions very welcome thanks for reading