Sorry to hear about your trouble.  I moved your topic to Rubber Side Down as I think more people will see it here.  Also the Technical Corner is more for long-term technical documents.

We have a lot of really smart mechanically-minded folks in here so I'm sure some will weigh in soon with some ideas for you.  Hope you're up and running soon.

tarheel365 wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:11:


I wouldn't expect the spark plug to cause you a sudden break down, but I would suspect something with the electrical system as the culprit.  

Since you have plenty of gasoline in the tank, open the bowl drain screw at the bottom of the carb a little bit.  Does gas come out?

Before buying a plug, I'd pull the one installed, and check the color and condition.  Also, check your battery for proper voltage.

When you get the bike home (if not already), let us know what you find.

tarheel365 wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:11:


Yes, before kids screw it up.  Luckily, a lot of schools are closed today for the election.

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Yes, because that eliminates one possibilty.

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Unlikely if it was running fine before it died.  There could be foreign gunk in the carb, but if you drain it into a glass jar you'll see.  Turn the petc_o_c_k to the PRI position (rearward) to ensure gas flows.  That action also tends to flush the float needle..  If there is water or crud, it will be in the bottom of the jar and you can see it.  And then you may know your next course of action.

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No.  Absolutely not.  The Savage is intended to run on 87 octane.

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Most likely it isn't a plug that 'just died", but it could have gotten fouled as PRH said because you were going too slow in 3rd.  But stalling doesn't normally cause fouling plugs.

To get to the plug, you'll at least need to raise the tank alittle to get to the bolts holding the chrome trim cover.  Then you can get to the plug.  Yep, gotta take the fuel and vacuum lines off (with petc_o_c_k down in ON position).

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Any time.  Good luck.

tarheel365 wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:11:


Okay, if you left the choke on that could kill the bike.  Also, since it isn't a 2 stroke, fouled plugs are not as serious.  If you snuffed it with the choke, then simply turning off the choke and hitting the starter may start the engine.

In case you don't know it is pretty easy to check the plug (just hard to get it out).  Ground the outer metal of the plug with the plug wire still attached and try to start her up...if it is fouled there will be no spark in the gap.  If it isn't fouled there will be spark in the gap.

Savage_Greg wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:11:


I just tied the clutch down with a piece of twine.  I did forget to mention the insulated pliers though!  (doh!)

tarheel365 wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:11:


Well, that's a lesson.  You just ran out of gas.  Never expect hoses to come off without knowing....

You mean the smaller black hose with the spring around it?  If so, that turned off your petc_o_c_k.  If you had flipped it to the PRI position (not knowing about the hose) the bike would have started.  That hose should also have a little spring clip on it to keep it in place...but those can get lost.

Lugging it at slow speed in 3rd is what caused it to be black.  If it had been running nice and hot before a normal shut down, it probably would have been tan color.  It really wasn't necessary to change the plug, but since you did you at least learned something.  If the bike is running "flawlessly", I wouldn't even check it again.  Unless you just want to.....