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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> '98 Savage, first Bike - Need TLC advice?
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Message started by Savaged on 04/10/17 at 21:02:06

Title: '98 Savage, first Bike - Need TLC advice?
Post by Savaged on 04/10/17 at 21:02:06

Hi all.
I've just bought my first Bike, it's been a little neglected and not run for a couple of years.
I haven't started it yet, I stripped the chrome work off and cleaned up the surface rust, it's suffering from that crappy oxidised aluminium thing so I've been taking the finish off and polishing it up etc

When I got the bike (off a neighbour) the front brakes had locked on so I took the caliper apart and drained the old fluid, replaced the old pads and cleaned the gunk off the cylinder. Put it back together and I have no pressure on the front brake lever. I've tried to bleed it with no success. I don't have any fluid leaks and when I pump the brakes fluid come out, can't see any bubbles. Really frustrating.
Any tips on what to do/try?
Secondly it was left with fuel in the tank, original petcock afaik. Oil supposedly was changed before it was put into storage.
Should I just crank her up or what would you guys do/check before turning the key? I don't want to kill the engine before I've even ridden it.
Thanks in advance :)

Title: Re: '98 Savage, first Bike - Need TLC advice?
Post by verslagen1 on 04/10/17 at 21:44:40

5D6F786F696B6A0E0 wrote:

Put it back together and I have no pressure on the front brake lever. I've tried to bleed it with no success.

Yes, starting it after you've drained is hard.
crack the bleeder open, put a drain hose on into a jar.
fill up the master, make it level so you don't have to mess with it.
go get a beer out of the fridge, come back and sip on it.
it should start to drain all by its lonesome.
keep an eye on the master level, don't let it suck air.
If it doesn't start, open the bleeder more.

Quote:

Secondly it was left with fuel in the tank, original petcock afaik. Oil supposedly was changed before it was put into storage.

I would drop the bowl, it gets pretty disgusting in there. Might as well clean the main and pilot jets too.

Quote:

Should I just crank her up or what would you guys do/check before turning the key? I don't want to kill the engine before I've even ridden it.
Thanks in advance :)

clean up the sparkplug hole, dirt will collect around it, pull sparky and squirt some oil in there.
hit the walls if you can, don't fill it up, just a bead of oil all around.
put your fingers in your ears and push the start button. ;D

Title: Re: '98 Savage, first Bike - Need TLC advice?
Post by Savaged on 04/10/17 at 23:11:06

I'll give that a go. I'm thinking if the petcock was bad fuel would have drained into the crankcase? I'll search on here to test for a bad petcock.
Just gonna go bathe in some more dot4....

Title: Re: '98 Savage, first Bike - Need TLC advice?
Post by verslagen1 on 04/10/17 at 23:16:17

If that don't work, get a vacuum bleeder

Title: Re: '98 Savage, first Bike - Need TLC advice?
Post by Dave on 04/11/17 at 03:45:37

The diaphragm in the petcock can fail two ways. It can get stiff and fail to open so no fuel flows....or it can get a hole in it and flow fuel down the vacuum line and fuel flows all the time.

Title: Re: '98 Savage, first Bike - Need TLC advice?
Post by Gary_in_NJ on 04/11/17 at 06:54:55

1A283F282E2C2D490 wrote:
I have no pressure on the front brake lever. I've tried to bleed it with no success.

Some bikes are difficult to get the brake system pressurized - the Savage is not one of them. I've had my system empty on a few occasions and it always pumped-up fairly quickly.

- Make sure that everything is reassembled correctly
- As Verslagen suggested, allow gravity to start the process for a few minutes, making sure that the reservoir doesn't drain, adding air to the line.
- Technique is important. Open the bleeder with firm lever pressure, but don't allow the lever to completely bottom with the bleeder open.

If none of the above work, you can always fill the system from the bottom using a large syringe and a piece of clear tubing. I had a brake system that I couldn't get started (can't remember the bike) and this was the only way to get it going.

Title: Re: '98 Savage, first Bike - Need TLC advice?
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 04/11/17 at 07:27:48

Get some oil in the cylinder before you start it.
Don't change the oil before you start it.
And before you spend a lot of time and money getting things working, get it running. Wouldn't you be unhappy to have great brakes for stopping and no power to go?
How many miles on it?
Did the neighbor tell you anything about what maintenance had been done?
Can you trust him? You friends with the guy? Watch him. He could be a chikkin rustling Texan just looking for something to pluck.

Title: Re: '98 Savage, first Bike - Need TLC advice?
Post by Savaged on 04/11/17 at 13:55:54

Thanks guys, I got a syringe and injected fluid from the bleeder as someone suggested...Had to crack the bolt at the master cylinder but I've now got enough pressure to bleed the system properly.
Yay!
The bike has highish miles, almost 20,000. I've got the service history, it's been done at all the recommended intervals. Hope the chain tensioner that I've been reading about on here is ok.

Title: Re: '98 Savage, first Bike - Need TLC advice?
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 04/11/17 at 19:41:19

You're gonna hafta go look at it.