is there any way to test the cdi just so i can cross that off my list?

 

The problems you are having almost sound the same as what I have ran into with once I did head work and the same tm45 carb. Ran through the same things compression test new battery and all that stuff. It would take 10 to 15 mins just to get it going but after that it would run fine with it occasionally dying. The one time when I was attempting to start it I unscrewed the gas cap and then you could hear the gas chugging down as if you just turned over a gallon jug and was dumping the water out. Immediately after that the quad fired right up like there was no problem. So I recently bought a vented gas cap to allow more air. Hope this helps, don't mean to add to the list of endless possibilitys

 

hey i appreciate it, i thought of that but have yet to try it. A friend said to me today i should ask you guys if when the upgrade to the hsr45 carb took place the fuel line and pet **** should also have been upgraded to a larger size?

 

The carb I got from RW came with a larger fuel line but I did not upgrade the petcock.