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SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> fuel mileage /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1334697786 Message started by BARoth on 04/17/12 at 14:23:06 |
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Title: fuel mileage Post by BARoth on 04/17/12 at 14:23:06 I am a new owner of a '98 Savage (4000 miles), but a long time rider. Looking for some tips on my bike. I hope to become a contributing member in time. Right now I have a question. I've read that I should be getting between 50 and 60 mpg with a Savage. I've run two tanks of gas through it and I am hitting reserve at 70 miles, which equates to a bit over 31 mpg. Shoot, my HD gets 45 to 50, so this puzzles me. I haven't taken the carb apart so I don't know the jetting it has, the PO removed the cover over the air mixture screw, so I know that has been messed with. The screw is presently 2.5 turns out, the pop when shutting down is there. It still seems to run lean, as the idle smooths out when the choke is slightly pulled out. I know that I need to pull the carb out and check the jets, but with the low mpg I'm getting, I doubt that could be the only issue, and I'm not flogging the bike by any means, but neither am I riding it like a grandma (no offense to grandmas). Any insight? BARoth '98 Suzuki Savage '99 HD FXDX '78 Honda Hobbit |
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Title: Re: fuel mileage Post by verslagen1 on 04/17/12 at 14:49:06 I'd run some seafoam 1st, sticky slides can hurt mpg. Check your petcock (see tech section link below) Check the vac line for any gas. Make sure the rear brake is loose and the front's not dragging. |
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Title: Re: fuel mileage Post by Savage_Rob on 04/17/12 at 15:50:12 4F5C4B4A55585E5C5708390 wrote:
+1, especially on checking the petcock and vacuum. Mine is a '98 and I have an Amal Mk2 carb on her (more responsive but less fuel efficient than the stock carb) and she still gets mileage in the mid to upper 40's. Does she belch black smoke? Does your oil smell like gas? When you stop, can you smell fuel? Just thinkin' out loud... |
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Title: Re: fuel mileage Post by BARoth on 04/17/12 at 19:00:10 I did run SeaFoam through it on this tank. It doesn't smoke. I put tires on it between tank fulls and checked the brakes, no drag. The oil doesn't smell like gas. The vac line from the petcock to the right side of the carb has no gas in it. What should I be looking for with the petcock? I did pull the air filter, and will be changing it soon (see attached picture). I assume that is at least part of the problem... |
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Title: Re: fuel mileage Post by Serowbot on 04/17/12 at 19:24:28 31mpg.. you ain't lean, that's fer' sure... If it's running good, and not smoking,.. I'd be looking for a balloon in my tank.... :-?... Seriously,.. how much gas do you put in when you hit reserve?... |
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Title: Re: fuel mileage Post by BARoth on 04/17/12 at 19:29:30 6771667B63767B60140 wrote:
The last time it was a bit over 2 gallons. I have no reason to suspect it would be less this time. |
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Title: Re: fuel mileage Post by Savage_Rob on 04/17/12 at 20:37:50 Two gallons before reserve is just about right. Are your vent tubes tucked into the frame? Can you monitor them to see if maybe you're venting some fuel due to a sticking float or a needle that won't seat properly? |
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Title: Re: fuel mileage Post by BARoth on 04/18/12 at 04:07:14 6B594E595F5D676A575A380 wrote:
I haven't watched the vent tubes, but I haven't seen any puddles under the bike after sitting a short time or overnight (and I monitor those things very well). |
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Title: Re: fuel mileage Post by Routy on 04/18/12 at 04:39:04 If you do much heavy throttle, a dirty air filter is going to make a big difference in mpg. I "can" get 50, but I have to ride like Grandma to do it. |
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Title: Re: fuel mileage Post by LANCER on 04/18/12 at 05:48:01 A '98 model with only 4000 miles and poor milage ? Seafoam through it with no or little effect ? Bite the bullet and pull it apart for a complete cleaning and check. All of those years just sitting has likely left hard deposits in the carb and manual cleaning is often the only way to get them out. A carb cleaning tool is invaluable for this job. It cheap and saves lots of frustration. #950-203 $10.50 at Sudco There could also be cracks in the diaphragm but you gotta put your eyeball on it to know for sure. |
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Title: Re: fuel mileage Post by Joe F on 04/21/12 at 04:33:32 4B485B465D4118290 wrote:
Changing the air filter gave me a 5% boost. Yours looks worse than mine did so it you might get even more :) |
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Title: Re: fuel mileage Post by BARoth on 04/30/12 at 04:00:07 Well, it's been busy around my house lately and the weather hasn't been too conducive to riding, BUT. I did replace my paper element with a some Unifoam air filter material, removed the snorkle, and rmoved the door. I guess I'll see what that does first. The next step will be to pull the carb and give it a good cleaning. I'll end up doing that anyway, when I check the jetting. With a son graduating high school in a couple of months, I'm not getting the free time like I used to... |
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Title: Re: fuel mileage Post by justin_o_guy2 on 04/30/12 at 06:22:06 You got a boy about to graduate? Heck,, make him do it,, |
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Title: Re: fuel mileage Post by BARoth on 04/30/12 at 15:16:40 That would be nice, but the "tinkering" gene didn't get passed on... 495650574A4D7C4C7C44565A11230 wrote:
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