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Message started by Kyle on 06/02/12 at 19:40:24

Title: Bike not happy
Post by Kyle on 06/02/12 at 19:40:24

Bought my Savage a few weeks ago. At first it was great, then started backfiring and popping a lot. Thanks to the help here I found it was a simple exhaust leak. Bike was idling without much choke, running really well, everything was great.

Fast forward to today. I've been out of town and the bike's been sitting for a couple weeks. Great weather near Chicago = riding time. Bike was not idling without full choke. Let it warm up for a while, finally get on the road, very rough without choke. The bike was not happy unless it had a partial choke on during my entire ride. Lurching/surging, lots of popping/backfiring again.

What's up?!

I'm new to this whole thing so any help would be appreciated. I'm more than a little upset. I just want an inexpensive, reliable, fun little cruiser. I don't want a money pit that's a pain in the ass.

Title: Re: Bike not happy
Post by 360k+ on 06/02/12 at 19:48:03

Sounds like carb or possibly moisture. Here in sunny Calif I don't choke at all and it always starts right up and idles with no throttle. Chicago mileage may vary. If it requires a lot of choke, it is an indication of mixture being too lean (like clogged jets, etc.).

Title: Re: Bike not happy
Post by verslagen1 on 06/02/12 at 21:34:16

6D725354260 wrote:

Bike was not idling without full choke. Let it warm up for a while, finally get on the road, very rough without choke. The bike was not happy unless it had a partial choke on during my entire ride. Lurching/surging, lots of popping/backfiring again.

All indications that it's leaning out.
could be a dirty carb... try seafoam
or could be the petcock... try prime.

Title: Re: Bike not happy
Post by Kyle on 06/04/12 at 06:32:35

253621203F3234363D62530 wrote:

All indications that it's leaning out.
could be a dirty carb... try seafoam
or could be the petcock... try prime.

Anything I should know before I try running the bike in prime? I'm assuming this turns the fuel 'ON' without the auto-vacuum off. Do I just need to remember to turn it back to the regular on shutdown?

If I still have issues would it be a good time to upgrade to a Raptor petcock and clean/rejet the carb?

If these are dumb questions please be nice - I'm new!

Title: Re: Bike not happy
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 06/04/12 at 07:20:33

They arent dumb questions, but please, dont go thinking Im even able to be nice,,

YOu have no reserve if youre running on Prime, so, if it bucks farts & dies cuz its low on gas, youre walking.
Yes, you shouldnt leave it on prime.,Thats just a test, to prove the health of the petcock,

Title: Re: Bike not happy
Post by Kyle on 06/04/12 at 07:24:19

@justin - That's what I hate about this forum, no one's nice . . .

I found Serowbot's post on testing petcocks. Looks like I'll be busy this week!

Title: Re: Bike not happy
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 06/04/12 at 07:47:47

Yea, thats a handy guide he laid out, & carb tuning is in there ( tech section ) too.

If you think youll be pulling the plug & looking there just to see how its running, you have to pull the tank, & thats tiresome,
There is a mod you can do to get easy access to the plug, plug door mod.
No tank removal needed.

Title: Re: Bike not happy
Post by Kyle on 06/04/12 at 19:48:57

What do I need to look for on the plug?

Title: Re: Bike not happy
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 06/04/12 at 20:21:22

http://www.4secondsflat.com/Spark_plug_reading.html

Title: Re: Bike not happy
Post by Kyle on 06/05/12 at 06:12:24

Lots of carbon = rich

Clean = lean?

Title: Re: Bike not happy
Post by Kyle on 06/05/12 at 18:41:08

Didn't get a chance to check the plug tonight but I did check the air filter. Bad news is that it smells like gas. The culprit - most likely a bad petcock if my notes are correct on Serowbot's petcock testing walkthrough. Raptor petcock ordered.

I figure while I'm in there I should take a look at the carb. How do I order a jetset kit from Lancer or is there another one I should buy - Dynojet?

Title: Re: Bike not happy
Post by Serowbot on 06/05/12 at 18:47:48

I wouldn't use a Dynojet for free...
For now,.. just fix what's broke, then see how it runs... you may not even need jets...
Once it's fixed,.. there are easy jetting tests for each carb circuit...

;)...

Title: Re: Bike not happy
Post by Kyle on 06/05/12 at 19:05:40

I had a Dyna muffler on my agenda. I figured this was a good excuse to move things ahead of schedule and I might have to jet for that anyway. I guess I'll take your advice and do one thing at a time...

Title: Re: Bike not happy
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 06/05/12 at 19:51:30

It ,ay not bite ya, but I wouldnt add any variables right now. Get the thing running right again, then play with the muffler.