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Message started by 1track on 07/15/09 at 13:50:09

Title: breakdown question
Post by 1track on 07/15/09 at 13:50:09

Today I was riding about 70 on the highway when my savage sputtered, backfired, and cut out as if it was out of gas. I switched to reserve - even though I had filled up about 60 miles earlier - but it wouldn't catch. When I tried to let out the clutch in 5th and 4th it seemed to want to apply strong engine breaking. I coasted to the side of the highway and began weighing my options. I had plenty of gas. After finding out AAA wouldn't tow a motorcycle, I paced around for a little while then tried it again and it started up and I made it the rest of the way home.

Sooo, did it overheat and seize up? Over the winter I had fixed the famous Savage oil plug leak, and I have to admit I don't keep the cleanest bike, so the engine is pretty oily. Could that alone inhibit the heat transfer enough to cause this problem? A few summers ago I used to commute 65 miles each way at about 55-60 on this bike and it was fine. This time I had been riding about 25 miles so far at 65-70mph in about 75 deg. weather when I had this problem.

At the moment I am left with a bike that got me home, but I don't know what I can do to ensure I don't get stranded again...

Title: Re: breakdown question
Post by bill67 on 07/15/09 at 14:22:15

I would check the oil and clean it up.

Title: Re: breakdown question
Post by youzguyz on 07/15/09 at 15:09:20

The next time (if/when) that happens, try putting it on Prime instead of Reserve.
Many people have had 70mph cutouts, including me.
A common cause is the petcock diaphragm closing down fuel flow. If it does fire back up when put in prime, it could be the vacuum line or the petcock.

Title: Re: breakdown question
Post by 1track on 07/15/09 at 15:14:06

Thanks for the tips. I did check the oil, and while not totally clean, there is plenty of it.

If it happens again I'll try the Prime idea. Is it a common malfunction with the bike? Is it less likely if traveling faster or slower?

Title: Re: breakdown question
Post by bill67 on 07/15/09 at 15:17:01

I was thinking clean the motor up good.

Title: Re: breakdown question
Post by youzguyz on 07/15/09 at 15:41:00

60252330323A510 wrote:

More likely at high speeds. You are using gas faster, and the vacuum to hold the petcock open is weaker.
"Common"? Not sure how you would define that. I had the problem, but it was very intermittent. Others have mentioned similar problems. Since I went to the Raptor petcock, no more problems of that nature for me.

Title: Re: breakdown question
Post by Serowbot on 07/15/09 at 17:23:14

It's a vacuum operated petcock,... if you're close to full throttle, vacuum is down pretty low, while gas consumption is up pretty high... so it might starve out temporarily....

Title: Re: breakdown question
Post by 1track on 07/15/09 at 18:00:01

Does anyone think it was related to overheating/seizing?

Title: Re: breakdown question
Post by BurnPgh on 07/15/09 at 18:52:40

If you had/have plenty of oil i doubt its overheating.

Title: Re: breakdown question
Post by Serowbot on 07/15/09 at 18:53:30

Well, you rode it home,... so it ain't seized.... Overheating?,.. maybe, but more likely to happen in bumper to bumper traffic....
Lots of air cooling on the highway....
Let's hope it's just the petcock.... ;)

Title: Re: breakdown question
Post by PTRider on 07/15/09 at 18:56:39

50151300020A610 wrote:

Does anyone think it was related to overheating/seizing?

Quote:

it wouldn't catch. When I tried to let out the clutch in 5th and 4th it seemed to want to apply strong engine breaking.

It it cranked but didn't "catch," and "seemed to want to apply strong engine breaking (sic)," then it wasn't siezed.

Check the vacuum hose to the petcock. If it is cracked or otherwise not as good as new, replace it.

Title: Re: breakdown question
Post by verslagen1 on 07/15/09 at 18:57:48

1E5B5D4E4C442F0 wrote:

Does anyone think it was related to overheating/seizing?

If it were overheating, it would grind to a sudden halt.

Most likely the petcock problem.

Put a new vac line on, tighten the ends with clamps.
While you're at it, check the line for gas, should be none.

Title: Re: breakdown question
Post by thumperclone on 07/15/09 at 19:13:51

grayhead thought:
is your heel (big boots)hitting the kick stand??
return spring on the K.S. may be weak....T.C.

Title: Re: breakdown question
Post by Stimpy on 07/20/09 at 19:16:08

yup, sounds exactly like a gas valve problem,
we all have it, just run it on PRI and switch to
ON at nights; savages rarely seize, good luck.

Title: Re: breakdown question
Post by srinath on 07/20/09 at 19:43:45

It could be a vacuum lock in the gas tank.
Cool.
Srinath.

Title: Re: breakdown question
Post by 1track on 08/14/09 at 17:42:12

Thanks everybody!

Title: Re: breakdown question
Post by smitty1 on 08/14/09 at 19:00:44

got no suggestion on the mechanical problem, do for the break down. had a rear tire blow out on my volusia. Have progressive insurance with the roadside assistance. best $12.00 bucks I've ever spent. They towed my bike to my house because the mechanic I use was closed and came to my house the next day to take it to the shop. No charge. They reimbusrt me for the 1st tow as they had no affiliated wreckers were I broke down. No hassles at all.
Smitty1

Title: Re: breakdown question
Post by Demin on 08/14/09 at 20:37:42

I had that problem when I was in Texas,in the summer.Almost like a vapor lock.

Title: Re: breakdown question
Post by Midnightrider on 08/15/09 at 04:27:08

My Savage does it. I found a crack in the vaccum line and replaced it, but its still doing it. I just switch to prime and ride on.

Title: Re: breakdown question
Post by runwyrlph on 08/15/09 at 07:34:56

have experienced that a couple times - i agree: switch to PRI, keep on going - also i've had better luck clutching and hitting the starter than "coast starting" to get it running again - basically same procedure as switching to reserve at hiway speeds

i haven't evaluated the vacuum lines yet, but probably should

Title: Re: breakdown question
Post by yumi on 08/16/09 at 15:55:52

Join the AMA; they protect riders' rights among other things..

Quote:

AMA Roadside Assistance—available FREE with selected memberships--you’ll never ride alone.

Here’s how it works: Just sign up online, and choose to automatically renew your annual membership via your credit card, and we’ll immediately enroll you in the AMA Roadside Assistance program, which includes:

24-hour roadside assistance for your motorcycles and all the rest of your vehicles, including cars, trucks, RVs and trailers.

Coverage for your spouse and dependent children living at home or away in college.

Trip-routing, trip-interruption insurance, limited legal services and more.

http://www.ama-cycle.org/join/index.asp

Title: Re: breakdown question
Post by smitty1 on 08/16/09 at 19:15:11

check the terminal leads on your battery. my friend savage was cutting out on her, we found that the srew to the battery terminal on the right ahnd side had backed out. We ended up taping the lead to get her home.