help won't start carb

I have done little maintenance on motorcycles. I do have a mechanical mind but cleaning carbs is kind of a scary idea. If any one can help me out with this it would be great. What are the tools and chemicals will I need for this project? Also what kind of time frame are we talking, 3-6 hours...

I have an '83 nighthawk 750 that I can't get started. The air filter gets gas in it and the bike hardly ever tries to fire. The last time I managed to get it to try only one side of the engine was hot the other was cold. For more clues see my other post. The bike was running when I bought it but...