Tell him to check all the connections. The pull-apart.quick dis-connect connections get crudy and loose over time, make sure they are clean and tight. Also check the petcock at the gas tank. I ran into those being half plugged up also. Maybe the wire from the coil to the plug has broken down over the years,the outside may look fine but the inside will show dis-coloration . I ran into these problems on my 78 Yami GT 80 for my daughter which I let sit for way too many years. Hope that helps him out. Good luck. Rich