EDIT: The only way the quad will fire is if i pull off the carb, spary starting fluid in the intake and leave the carb off and kick it over. if i spray with the carb on the bike will not fire for some reason. Also, is there any way to see if gas IS getting into the cylinder... if the quad backfires every once in a while while trying to start it then that means that gas is present, correct?

just bought a 450 off my buddy and he said that it needs reshimmed and maybe timmed again. I brought the bike back home, pulled the valve cover off and checked it out, the timing is right on, but i cant find my feeler guage. I put everything back on and tried starting it for 20 mins. and i got nothing. The quad is getting spark because if i spray starter fluid it starts for a second. and its also getting gas because it backfires sometimes when im kicking it. I cleaned the carb etc. and im at a loss. Even though the valves may need to be shimmed the quad should still fire up right????? Also, what size deepwell socket do you need to get the spark plug out? i dont have anything to get the plug out with. ANY HELP WOULD BE APPERCIATED!!! thanks, josh