03 predator500 problems

[iceman_jdm]

ok y'all i need some help....i bought an 03 predator500 off one of my friends about 6 months ago... when i picked it up it ran fine and i was very pleased with it....two weeks after i bought it..it stoped runing right the motor makes a knocking noice...the carb is always leaking fule and it isent keeping a charge on the battery...i am getting seriously fed up with it beacuse i have no clue what to do ...if anyone can help it would be awsome

thanks.

[iceman_jdm]

can some one give any advise? even a little will help...

[somewon]

well let me ask some questions.

1) how old is the battery? it may need to be replaced if it is old and won't hold charge.

2) has the wiring been messed with? I ask because you may be loosing charge either through bad connections, or faulty wiring.

3) when was the last time you cleaned the carb and checked the floats to make sure they aren't bad?

4) is the knocking a constant sound, or does it vary with RPM?