MY 2001 Savage has been great! I bought it a month ago and so far narry a problem. It has a new engine even.

This morning she is not happy. I had to run an errand this morning about 2 miles down the road and she's trying not to run. I stopped at the store for less than 5 mins and then came out to have difficulty starting it. Then the only way to keep it going at every stop light and stop sign on the way back was to keep the throttle open. Opening the choke wasn't helping either.

I admit that I didn't ride her yesterday since I had to go to Cincinnati with a friend and it did turn cold and wet here again - 39 degrees! - but I haven't had any trouble until today. She sat in the garage yesterday. Could the plugs somehow have mysteriously gotten fouled?

I have to head out to my second job this afternoon at 3 and I won't get back home until after midnight - I'm hoping she runs! I don't have any other way to get there or get home.

I've already told the guys that it's running too lean and I have to take it over there this week and have them tweak it. They said when they weren't too busy. Uh, it's spring and that could get interesting. I need to have someone pick me up from there after I drop it off and then take me back. Hopefully it won't be too long. They didn't believe me until I rode it over there and they saw the blueing on the pipes.

It's been fine until today which is odd. I've ridden ti everyday in all weathers for the last month until yesterday. Oh and Friday - forgot I rode the bicycle in to drop it off to get a new headset.

It's probably just mad at me.

Just a stupid question here.
By opening the choke,are you pulling out the choke knob or pushing it in?
Pulling out choke(aka enrichener)is on/or choked
pushing in is off or open.
Sorry if you already know this,just making sure we're on the same page.

Just checking.I said it was a stupid question.

I turned the idle screw out about a 1/4 turn and it started right up and I got to work fine. Well aside from the pouring rain...

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll have the mechanic look at it this week. If I can let go of it long eough...

Well adjusting the idle speed didn't work. I just rode home from work - barely. It started with a little bit of difficulty but then I got half way home and it died and wouldn't restart. I did manage to get it started after I put it on pri. I didn't come to any full stops though the rest of the way home since it's after midnight and no one to call to bale me out.

Guess I'll bicycle to work tomorrow. The mechanic doesn't work on Monday so I'll give them a call on Tuesday and see what they say.

Real bummer since it's been fine as far as I know. There's plenty of gas in it. I have been riding in rain for 3 weeks but luckily I have a garage to it only sits out at work. One good thing about this apartment.

Could be as simple as a crack in the vacuum line but could also be the petcock.  I'd definitely stop by Autozone and spring for new vacuum line as I'd replace it anyway.

After doing the White Spacer mod and adjusting my idle screw I had the same problem. Went out and bought some vacume line and fuel line. Replaced them both and worked like a charm!