Strange things are afoot here in Pittsbooger.

I took the Savage out for a maintentance ride yesterday (hadn't ridden it since the 1st).  It cranked ok, but was slow to fire (choke on full, fuel to 'on') With some effort, it started, but the idle was slow, even with the choke pulled out.  I let it idle like that for  a few minutes while I finished putting my gear on.

For the most part, the ride was uneventful, if not cold (29*).  I did a 10 mile circuit around the airport and was on my way home when the engine began to sputter.  At a stop sign, the idle became very rough and the engine died when I tried to give it gas.

No problem I thought.  I'm out of gas.  So I switched the petcork to 'res' refired the engine and rode to a gas station.

When I opened the gas cap, I was suprised to find that I still had half of a tank of gas!  

I filled the tank the rest of the way, then started the bike and rode home.  It rest of the ride, it never sputtered and died like before.

When I got home, I pulled the vaccuum tube to check for obviouis damage.  The line was dry and it was securely zip-tied to both ends.

Does it sound like a vaccuum leak to you guys? Even though I could not replicate the failure, would it be in my bets interest to replace that vaccuum line anyway?

Thanks again all!

I've had similar trouble, and now I run on 'res' all the time.  And it happened most when it was less than half a tank.

I think either the rubber gotten hard or the spring has gotten out of where it's supposed to be.  Or you gotta leak.

I got an extra one and will be tearing into it to see what can be done.  

Okay, glad this topic came up because it happened to me for the first time last night!

Was riding to ballet class and turned the corner into the parking lot when the bike just stalled out. I coasted into a parking space and tried to restart with no success. Pulled the choke, turned the pc to PRI and still no start.

Tilted the bike while listening and heard not much sloshing in the tank. Thought the same thing as skrapiron - outta gas, silly girl.

Left it sitting for 3 hours of class time, then tried again. This time PRI on, choke out, started fine.  Rode a mile to the gas station, filled up and found my tank at 1/4 full already. Huh. Usually I can go a lot further on that amount of gas and then PRI for even a few more miles (up to 10).

The only thing that is recently different here is the weather change from 60 to 30F.
So is it the cold causing this?

verslagen1 wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:11:

When you get your new CD, check the new petc0ck photos before you rip it apart

As Youzguyz said, I'd check the integrity of the vacuum hose.  No cracks etc.
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As for Skatnbnc...your bike is too new for vacuum leaks from an old hose, if you ask me.  I just replaced mine after 7 years.  I had a crack, so I didn't wait for trouble.

Yours died and then you coasted, parked, and waited.  Since you were going to class and couldn't check it "right then", I think your problem (if it exists) is different.
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Ya know, it seems that these types of posts appear every year at this time.  Right when the weather starts getting cold and people are using their choke...or not using their choke

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

Yes, but if you convert it, then you'll never know for sure will you?  If it ain't broke...

My 7 year old (and my spouse's 6 year) petcock have never caused a problem, and I've even taken mine apart just for the heck of it

BTW - I work on all kinds of bikes with vacuum operated petc0cks.  I have yet to find a different model that's been "converted".  Why does everyone "knee jerk" on the LS650's?

mornhm - FSO wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:11:

Sounds like my situation. Bike was still semi-warm having been ridden at lunchtime, but air was very cold and the fuel was cold because I felt it when I straddled the tank!

No mods on my idle or jets.

Anyone notice my "Ya know..." comment above?

You are riding a manually controlled bike, meaning that some things aren't done automatically like in a modern car.   Some of us old timers grew up with carburetted cars and know the difference.  Some of those had manual chokes too.

A modern car has control modules that uses air temp and air density to calculate and meter the correct fuel needed for the engine.  As well, the engine maintains a constant temp with the thermostat once it is warmed up.  All this goes on and you never notice it...

When you were riding at lunch, it wasn't as cold as in the evening.  There are also 2 settings for the choke and sometimes if the engine (efficiently air cooled, too) is running slow in cold air you still need to use the 1st choke position anyway.  In other words, the choke isn't always just for starting the bike.  It is for when the engine is cold.  Anytime it is cold!  You have to be the control module.

BTW - it is more comfortable if you straddle the seat instead of the tank