07 TC 450 problems

I could use some advice. I bought an 07 TC450 last spring. It started up easily and was huge fun to ride. It started backfiring, a lot on deceleration and randomly kicked back, violently at times. I replaced the cracking intake manifold and found this helped but not completely cured the problems. After sitting out the summer (live in the Phoenix area) I took it out in September. The backfiring had returned big time, on close examination the new intake manifold had cracked through. I checked the carb and replaced the manifold. Now it won't start, still backfires when I kick it but only sputters and dies. Any ideas? Does anyone in the Phoenix area know a shop that has experience with Italian Huskys?

Pull the carb, clean out the pilot jet with a piece of copper wire. Clean the main jet as well,

Change the spark plug first, and then clean the carb.