Greetings All,

I have a little problem I'm hoping you can help me solve. I just purchased a 96 Suzuki Savage, test drove and started great, idled perfect. After a few days in my garage I decided to fire it up for the first time after buying it. It Fired up fine but would not idle without stalling. I ran it for about 5 minutes stationery in my driveway to warm it up (with slight throttle to prevent the stalling at idle problem) before I noticed fuel spilling out behind the battery. I did a visual inspection on the carb and tank and could see no visible leaks. I don't have a manual and have been away from bikes for about 20 years (so my knowledge is limited) but the leak seems to be coming from somewhere around the air filter and back of battery area, spilling over the exhaust.

Some things different from the test drive and starting it a few days later was that I fillled the tank to about 3/4s with gas (it was alost dry when I test drove it). I also tested to see the  petcock would switch to reserve and prime. I'm wondering if any of these could cause the problem (and if so why??) and if this and the problem with stalling at idle are related?

Oh, one other variable. I transported the bike back to my home in a pickup bed, tilting the bike both up and down a short load ramp (really don't think this is an issue).

Not sure if this is still done. But years ago I had a bike with a sticking float chamber, used to have to sometimes tap it with a rubber mallet slightly to prevent fuel from overflowing. Not sure if I should try this on the Savage, thoughts??

If possible I'd like to try to diagnose this without having to disassemble the carb or remove the tank and seat (which I know will be the case sooner or later).  At least not until I get a manual and better aquanted with the bike.

Any help greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Thanks for the advise. I will do everything you suggest once I get my maintenance manual. I found the problem was a stuck float in the carb, probably after running it up and down a steep ramp to transport it in the back of my pickup. Just rode it around a bit and the float reseated, no more leak.

Thanks for the advise. Problem solved, the float got stuck, tapped it a few times and the float reseated. I will have to clean out the carb at some stage and put an inline fuel filter in.