TOPIC:

Recently picked up a 79 model that I was told has a new head and carb overhaul a few years ago, but has mostly been sitting unused since.

The fuel pump is pumping fuel to the carbs, but it won’t start or run as if it isn’t getting any fuel. A spray of start ya bastard into the air box gets it starting, but it still won’t run.

Am going to pull things apart this weekend, but thought I’d check here for any ideas

Cheers Smithy

You've got a fuel pump on a 1979?? That's odd. A vacuum operated fuel shutoff would be normal and if it's not run in a while, I would suspect no flow through the valve.
Open the drain screws on the carbs bowls and see if you have fuel in the float bowls. If not, you know where to start. If you have fuel in the bowls, then you're pulling the carbs.

Yup ! Pull the carbs ! And while you've got them off, lose that fuel pump !! This idea was initiated by someone who claimed they eliminated their starting problems by installing one. If you have a properly routed and sized fuel-line C/W filter, gravity will fill the bowls before you can put your gloves on ! Typically 5-10 seconds if the bowls are empty. When correctly adjusted, the floats shut off the flow of fuel and .....that's it ! A pump can NOT fill the array of fuel runners all of which are above the fuel-bowl level ! The theory behind installing a fuel-pump is a myth.
If you have the correct fuel-level in the bowls then you have blockages in the idle circuits and the carbs (after-sitting for so long) need to be completely disassembled and flushed thoroughly. Don't be surprised at what comes out of them!
It just occurred to me that you may be mistaking the OEM fuel solenoid (electric shut-off) for a pump. A photo would clarify this !

Thanks guys,
It’s a small canister under the carbies that fuel pumps out when the ignition key is turned on. Has a rubber fuel hose going into the carby feed line, so I assume the fuel is getting into the carbies. I’ll try an upload a couple pics

Pic one

Pic two