Hello. I just got my firts bike, an xj750j. It fires up pretty easy. When it idles it acts like it is really loaded up(rich?). when i give it throttle it dies. how can i tell if it is a spark problem or carb problem. the reason i think it could be spark is the start button will sporadically not work the gauges also. only intermittently and for very brief times. alos while it idles the warning lght flashes and the battery icon on the gauge panel is lit up. any ideas?

More likely it's a carb problem. Sounds like your throttle slides and jets are clogged up. Though putting some new spark plugs is always a good idea just to eliminate it. Get those carbies off and clean them up! - It's lot easier than you may think.

The start button and gauges being sporadic makes me think you have a bad ground somewhere. Trace the wires to their grounding points and make sure they are solid.

Thanks for the input. Things keep getting stranger....had the bike running for awhile today. Idled at about 1100 for awhile, suddenly shot up to 3500 and leveled off. I was able to give it a little throttle at that point but not consitantley. Does this fit with a dirty carbs? Thanks again for your help.

If the battery icon is on this means one of two things or both.
Either the water level is low or the sensor is toast.
It also sounds like the battery may need a good overnight charging with a proper (1.5 amp) charger/maintainer.