My VT500c has 2 problems that I can see.
First I was riding along at highway speed after cleaning the carb and ran out of gas, switched to reserve and proceeded down the highway only to have the bike act like it had a lack of power. Secondly, It also backfires when the motor is powering down after I take my hand off the accelerator.

At the recommendation of my local shop I picked up a rock filter to be placed on the reserve line.

I am frustrated with this ongoing problem any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks

 

clean and sync your carbs, put on fuel filters like suggested. and do a basic tune up(sparkplugs, airfilter, etc. and go from there. Its an old bike its not going to run great without some basic maintenance.

 

Backfire is usually a sign of a lean mix. As chadmaster said, clean the carbs and do the usual tune up stuff.

I'd also flush the tank, and check for rust/dirt. If the carbs are really clean and you still have the backfire, try adjusting the pilot screws and upping the jets a little.

 

Thanks guys for the help I will try it this weekend.

 

grats on the vt500, i had an ascot for a while (pretty much the same drivetrain)

What shop are you taking it to? stay away from cycles unlimited, there are some guys there who have no idea what the hell they're doing.