I am a new (happy) Savage owner and quickly realized you do HAVE to love the bike for all it little quirks! I can live with "the leak" for now, though it is getting worse.  I like to see my engines from the outside, not the inside.  Taking it apart scares me...I'm trying to build courage, need some time...oh it's getting hot in here...  

Anyway, my actual question:  I have noticed that there is a definate rattle that occurs 5 minutes + after starting and is loudest in the mid-high range, though after very warm, you can even hear it on idle.  it is rather constant, doesn't get "faster" as the throttle increases, it is a 97 with just 3000 miles, I know it sat for many years and except for a needed carb cleaning it runs fine.  From what I have read it is most likely a rattle from the cam chain, aside from taking the head off is there any other way to know for sure? (I am breaking into a cold sweat just thinking about taking it apart)  I can tell you it is internal and assume it can be only that or valve clearance, but I have read the clearance adjustment tech stuff for 2 hours and I just don't get the process...it's a bit over my head.  I really like the bike and I can live with noises, just don't want to do damage and have to scrap an otherwise good bike with only 3,000 miles!

Clearly Im no tech guru, can someone help me with some baby steps.  I'm thinking if it is the chain and already have the leak I should just suck it up, pay lots of money have a PRO take the head off and fix both problems, get the bill, cry like a man, and get riding!  

I had what I thought was a speedometer rattle, but it turned out to be a gas cap rattle.

I cut an O-ring out of a sheet of rubber, popped it on top of the existing rubber ring on the inside of the gas cap and problem solved.

Could your rattle be a gas cap rattle?

Sorry, I can't help with the head-plug leak...  

Cheers. Tammi

I have the speedo and head light rattle,and the other day my exhaust clamp shield started.Headlight and shield are easy fix's.Gotta love the speedo buzz,it'll most likely always be there!

My 96 didn't develop the plug leak until about 20, 000 miles and the cam chain didn't show up until 26K or so . I sued a mechanics stethoscope to cofirm the ralttle was inside the Right (sitting on the bike) case cover and was glad I did not wait longer to look into it. The plunger in the tensioner should have fallen out miles ago dropping the spring into the primary gear area ruining who knows what. When you hear it it is time to fix it. I think your mileage is low for it being your rattle though, have you adjusted the valves yet to eliminate them? The plug leak could come from many heating and cooling cycles from short trips so Id fix it. Takes about 3 hrs and there is a really good write up of the task in the tech section. Max

Bought my 96 with 3K on it. Had to do the plug leak fix right after that, after reading about it here. Go figure  

SavageBeast! Put your right leg/heel on the exhaust. If the noise shuts up, then you have the same problem that I had. Some washers around the muffler mounting helped.
Also it might be the chrome cover on the cylinder head, try tightening the nuts.

Look in he tech section for information on removing the heaad cover and replacing the plug. It would be unusual for a shop to have any of the parts in stock, so I don't stop riding until I have all the parts in hand and feel they are the correct ones and all I'll need. Better to have a couple extra items than miss a week or 10 days of riding weather. Max

Pnce the nut is loose you will have to hold the head of the bolts to complete the process and it falls out of the way. Don't forget to preplace on reassembly as It seems to me it isn't wasy to do after the cover is back in place. Max