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Message started by EricTheRed on 08/23/09 at 16:56:05

Title: It won't run!
Post by EricTheRed on 08/23/09 at 16:56:05

I just got an 86 Savage cheap, I haven't ridden in 30 years and am getting back to it on a shoestring. It ran a bit rough at first, seemed to stumble and stalled at stops. I thought a new plug and fresh gas would help but it seemed to get worse, black smoke, backfiring, running rough. I noticed the fuel line was bad so I replaced it, now it won't fire up at all! Any suggestions?

Title: Re: It won't run!
Post by BurnPgh on 08/23/09 at 17:45:56

what year, mileage, how long's it been sitting? If its been sitting the carb probably needs a good cleaning. Black smoke may be a rich condition. Is the stock muffler on there or some aftermarket peice? Rich can cause stumbling and such or the idle speed may be turned way down. Need more info basically.

Title: Re: It won't run!
Post by boofer on 08/23/09 at 18:07:58

Eric, we don't have enough info. Spill your guts. Sitting for years? Rusty tank? Weak battery? etc. I agree about cleaning carb. I also got back in after 30 years and can't think of a better bike for us "oldies". It is simple as an old tractor and pulls like a dull straight razor. Field strip it and clean it up. Visually inspect everything you can see. I like Seafoam additive. (after it's running) FOLLOW instructions on can. These people can help you, but I like straight talk and pictures, also from these people. Click on HOME, then TECHNICAL DOCUMENTS, then TABLE OF CONTENTS WITH LINKS. Put on a pot of coffee and get to scrolling. I'll bet you find something to stimulate the "little gray cells" as Poirot says. Welcome, and enjoy. I understand the shoestring part. This bike is perfect for a small budget. Good luck.
Boofer

Title: Re: It won't run!
Post by Serowbot on 08/23/09 at 18:23:10

Check for gas in the vacuum line that runs from the back of the petcock to the right side of the carb. Any gas in there and you need to replace the petcock.
Yamaha Raptor 660 petcock is best..$20 + shipping... there's also a fix for the stocker in the tech pages...

Title: Re: It won't run!
Post by matt_savage on 08/23/09 at 20:36:31

rusty tank/clogged petcock would be my first check. Carb clean and plug test would be next. Most running problems have to do with the fuel delivery system.

FWIW mine had all of these problems and it would run like crap and needed extra throttle to stay running. Was putting out some blackish smoke as well. HTH

-Matt

Title: Re: It won't run!
Post by verslagen1 on 08/23/09 at 21:25:14

if you don't want to clean the carb ( which I would HIGHLY recommend )
drain the carb, fill with seafoam, let sit 24 hours, drain and put in tank with fresh gas.

Title: Re: It won't run!
Post by EricTheRed on 08/24/09 at 17:17:49

Awsome, thanks for the replies. The bike has about 34,000 km, sat for at least one year, has stock muffler. I'll check the vacumn tube and start cleaning the carb. I live in maritime Canada so there's not much bike season left before the snow flies.

Title: Re: It won't run!
Post by Duane on 08/25/09 at 07:14:57

I had a old timer tell me when I started working on my own vehicles, if it will not start it's either spark or fuel. Any idea if the cam chain has been changed?

Title: Re: It won't run!
Post by matt on 08/25/09 at 10:47:21

08392D22294C0 wrote:

I had a old timer tell me when I started working on my own vehicles, it it will not start it's either spark or fuel. Any idea if the cam chain has been changed?

Excellent Advice.

Title: Re: It won't run!
Post by verslagen1 on 08/25/09 at 11:41:02

794E555F7F494E4E55593C0 wrote:

One thing, the ig system is voltage sensitive. If you've been starting and trying to start and not running much, the battery could be worn down enough for it to turn over but not start.

And clean the carb.

Title: Re: It won't run!
Post by EricTheRed on 08/25/09 at 17:34:41

Don't know if the cam chain was ever touched. The battery is a little weak, I :-?'ll check my piggy bank to see if I can afford a new one. I don't recall hearing about Seafoam, is there a generic equivalent I could use? Carb Cleaner, methyl hydrate?

Title: Re: It won't run!
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 08/25/09 at 17:45:00

If you dont have a battery charger, grab one. A low buck unit will do it & youll need it again & again.
You can take tyhe battery to an auto parts store & theyll test it. Neat thing is, its gotta be charged to test it, so theyll charge it. Dont let them Cram the juic in it. I hear thats hard on these things. Check the H2O level & fill if needed w/ distilled. Youll need a syringe or a baster or something with a very small outlet. Once the water covers the hole, seems like nothing goes in, it just runs off the side. Dont overfill.