My Honda shadow vt 125 has problems?

My bike really struggles to start, I have to hold the ignition down for ages again and again. The engine will keep turning over but it won t accelerate, eventually once it starts and I turn the throttle it is sluggish to pick up revs.
As soon as I let go of the throttle and leave it to idle it cuts out. If I get it started and ride it, sometimes it will go for the full journey, sometimes it just cuts out and slows down very fast whilst moving even with the throttle on.
Also i can hear a popping/puffing sound coming from somewhere in the bike, not sure what that is, or if it is related.

Initially I was having problems with the battery not charging, I fixed that, so I don t think that has anything to do with it.

It s not due to cold, I have stood for five or ten minutes revving the bike to warm it up, it seems to start a bit easier with the choke on initially, but it still takes a long time.

If anyone has any ideas on how it can be fixed, I d like to be able to do it myself as I cannot afford the mechanics at the moment, but if I need to take it there I will.

Any help would be much appreciated.

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