Since I got my Savage I've mainly ridden in in less than 70 degree temperatures.  It usually only has been backfiring when turning the bike off.  Lately the weather is getting warmer but still below 80 but the bike seems to backfire much more frequently when I close the throttle.  I haven't made any changes to the carb at all.  Is backfiring worse in warmer weather?  I know the solution is to turn the idle mixture screw out.  I just haven't gotten around to doing it yet.

I do have a leak where the muffler meets the headpipe.  I loosened it when I was working on my forward controls (didn't need to).  I'll have to tighten it up.  Also the brass plug has been removed from my carb.  I'll fiddle with that too.

The bike did have it's carb cleaned by the dealer before I bought it.  I wonder if they removed the plug then.