I do NOT repair motorcycles, but felt that my husband and I could tackle the replacement of the clutch cable that snapped the other day.  I bought the part online and we took off seat and tank.  Cable went on without a hitch.  Put tank back on and set seat on - took a short ride (1/2 block) to ensure the spedo cable worked before bolting seat on.  Bolted seat on.  After that, bike started and would idle, but would not stay started.  Died anytime I gave it the tinyest bit of gas.  Could restart, but would not stay started for very long.  Decided to let it sit awhile, assuming we flooded it. Tried about a 1/2 hour later and it would not start at all.  Finally ran battery down.  (that was all  yesterday).  This morning tried to start but wouldn't - ran battery down trying.  Charged battery.  Still won't start at all.  
I have checked the two hoses that I disconnected to take the tank off - they are both OK.
The owners manual (and this site) suggest a "fuel system check" where I loosen the drain screw under the carburetor, blah, blah... I found that fuel IS reaching the carburetor.
Took the tank back off to check the spark plug.  Husband said that the spark plug cap was not pushed down firmly - that it must have gotten tugged loose when we had the tank off the first time (hmmm?)  Anyway, we took the spark plug out and it didn't look bad - I wiped it off a bit.  Put it all back together... (now I wish we had done the spark plug firing check that I read about online).  Anyway - put it all back together and it won't start.
I have avoided calling anything a "thingy" and hope I have described my problem and unsuccessful resolutions so far - but in reality, I have no business working on my bike.  BUT I think it is FUN.
I certainly will take the bike to the shop if there isn't anything else anyone thinks I can try on my own.
2001 Savage - I bought in 2002 with 600 miles.  Currently 12K miles.
Thanks
Barb

Not sure, but sounds like my oops the other day.  

Check the High voltage coil connections (the slide on connectors).  I was playing with jets and lifting the tank checking sparkplug over and over again.  Some where I had bumped mine and it did as you said.

  You can take a flashlight and look since it's visible from the front of the tank.  It's on the left (shifter) side.  It's worth the fifteen seconds it takes to check.

Remember the clutch cable runs right next to the coil.........

What does it "won't stay started mean"?  It is idling in neutral and then dies without any action at all from you?  If so, it sounds like a fuel issue.

You do have plenty of gas in the tank, right?

Put the petc0ck in On or Res, and start the bike.  If it idles and then stops, get a rag or small jar and loosen the Phillips screw on the bottom of the carb.  That will drain the carb and tell if there is any gas in the carb bowl.  Normally you'll get about a 1/4 cup of gas outta there.