I just bought a 2004 Honda Shadow 600cc that had been sitting for a while. When I pull the choke the engine will idle but as the choke hits the middle the bike dies. also once its running I have to ride the throttle so that the bike doesn't die, if I come to a stop I have to hold in the cluth hold down the brake and give it gas or else it'll die. Its even died twice while I'm throttling up to 2nd gear.

mix is too weak, not sure if you have a carb or electronic ignition so if carb, probably needs a clean and new filters, if electronic get it checked

Have you ridden your honda regularly or has it been parked for a while? If you have old fuel in the bike or possibly got bad gas somewhere you need to pull your carb and simply clean the clogged jets. If you have never done it before have an expert do the work. Also check your fuel filter first, if this is clooged it will restrict your gas flow and starve for fuel when accelerating.

My 2002 Honda Shadow VLX did the same thing (it is 583cc or 600cc)- I bought a longer fuel hose and bypassed the auto fuel valve that is behind the small triangular shaped chrome cover on the choke knob side above the engine, and this fixed it.

http://www.bikebandit.com/houseofmotorcycles/2005-honda-motorcycle-vt750dca-shadow-spirit-carburetor-component-parts/o/m2904sch406961
Not to sure about this one, ok, if the choke wont stay out, then try to trace the choke cable to the carby, have a close look and see which parts move on the carby when you activate the choke, some thing just needs to be tightened up, so that the choke stays on. Also, you say the bike stalls and runs rough, is this with the choke on? If yes, then that is just a sign that you dont need so much choke on. Just try half choke. Do you live in a warm climate? if so, then you dont need much choke . So there is no adjustment really, only by the amount of choke you apply. Also remember, never use the choke if the engine is already warm. And, only use the choke for the first start of the day, when the engine is stone cold. The correct way to to start a cold bike engine is, pull the choke on fully, crank over engine, but DO NOT give it throttle, (this defeats the purpose of using the choke), when engine fires up and starts, slowly push the choke in till a smooth, high idle is acheived. You should be able to ride off slowly, and push the choke off after about a mile.

My 1995 Honda shadow only runs on the back cylinder its been sitting around 2 years it got spark

has the bike been sitting for a time ..sounds like the carbs need pulled and cleaned..you could try draining the fuel out at the float bowls there should be drain screws at the bottom there could be dirt or water in them sometimes this will help without pulling them ..good luck

sounds like bad fuel try adding some fuel stabilizer.

try turning in the idle screw a little. if the bike has been sitting a long time it's likely you will need the carbs cleaned

The idle is a great place to start. If you have a normal bike with no engine mods ie exhaust, jet work then you need to screw the idle screw all the way in, then back it out 2 and a half turns.