SuzukiSavage.com - breakdown question

1track

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breakdown question
07/15/09 at 13:50:09

Today I was riding about 70 on the highway when my savage sputtered, backfired, and cut out as if it was out of gas. I switched to reserve - even though I had filled up about 60 miles earlier - but it wouldn't catch. When I tried to let out the clutch in 5th and 4th it seemed to want to apply strong engine breaking. I coasted to the side of the highway and began weighing my options. I had plenty of gas. After finding out AAA wouldn't tow a motorcycle, I paced around for a little while then tried it again and it started up and I made it the rest of the way home.

Sooo, did it overheat and seize up? Over the winter I had fixed the famous Savage oil plug leak, and I have to admit I don't keep the cleanest bike, so the engine is pretty oily. Could that alone inhibit the heat transfer enough to cause this problem? A few summers ago I used to commute 65 miles each way at about 55-60 on this bike and it was fine. This time I had been riding about 25 miles so far at 65-70mph in about 75 deg. weather when I had this problem.

At the moment I am left with a bike that got me home, but I don't know what I can do to ensure I don't get stranded again...

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bill67 Serious Thumper Offline old tired Posts: 8517 genoa city wisconsin Gender:	Re: breakdown question Reply #1 - 07/15/09 at 14:22:15 I would check the oil and clean it up.
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youzguyz Serious Thumper Offline Posts: 2540 San Antonio, Texas Gender:	Re: breakdown question Reply #2 - 07/15/09 at 15:09:20 The next time (if/when) that happens, try putting it on Prime instead of Reserve. Many people have had 70mph cutouts, including me. A common cause is the petcock diaphragm closing down fuel flow. If it does fire back up when put in prime, it could be the vacuum line or the petcock.
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1track YaBB Newbies Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 11 Gender:	Re: breakdown question Reply #3 - 07/15/09 at 15:14:06 Thanks for the tips. I did check the oil, and while not totally clean, there is plenty of it. If it happens again I'll try the Prime idea. Is it a common malfunction with the bike? Is it less likely if traveling faster or slower?
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bill67 Serious Thumper Offline old tired Posts: 8517 genoa city wisconsin Gender:	Re: breakdown question Reply #4 - 07/15/09 at 15:17:01 I was thinking clean the motor up good.
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youzguyz

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Re: breakdown question
Reply #5 - 07/15/09 at 15:41:00

1track wrote on 07/15/09 at 15:14:06:

Thanks for the tips. I did check the oil, and while not totally clean, there is plenty of it.

If it happens again I'll try the Prime idea. Is it a common malfunction with the bike? Is it less likely if traveling faster or slower?

More likely at high speeds. You are using gas faster, and the vacuum to hold the petcock open is weaker.
"Common"? Not sure how you would define that. I had the problem, but it was very intermittent. Others have mentioned similar problems. Since I went to the Raptor petcock, no more problems of that nature for me.

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2002 - Silver (Thumper)
2000 - Green (Mad Hamish)
Most motorcycle problems are caused by the nut between the seat and the handlebars. Make sure yours isn't too tight or too loose.

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Serowbot YaBB Moderator ModSquad Online OK.... so what's the speed of dark? Posts: 28726 Tucson Az Gender:	Re: breakdown question Reply #6 - 07/15/09 at 17:23:14 It's a vacuum operated petcock,... if you're close to full throttle, vacuum is down pretty low, while gas consumption is up pretty high... so it might starve out temporarily....
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1track YaBB Newbies Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 11 Gender:	Re: breakdown question Reply #7 - 07/15/09 at 18:00:01 Does anyone think it was related to overheating/seizing?
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BurnPgh Serious Thumper Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 1732	Re: breakdown question Reply #8 - 07/15/09 at 18:52:40 If you had/have plenty of oil i doubt its overheating.
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Serowbot YaBB Moderator ModSquad Online OK.... so what's the speed of dark? Posts: 28726 Tucson Az Gender:	Re: breakdown question Reply #9 - 07/15/09 at 18:53:30 Well, you rode it home,... so it ain't seized.... Overheating?,.. maybe, but more likely to happen in bumper to bumper traffic.... Lots of air cooling on the highway.... Let's hope it's just the petcock....
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PTRider

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Re: breakdown question
Reply #10 - 07/15/09 at 18:56:39

1track wrote on 07/15/09 at 18:00:01:

Does anyone think it was related to overheating/seizing?

Quote:

it wouldn't catch. When I tried to let out the clutch in 5th and 4th it seemed to want to apply strong engine breaking.

It it cranked but didn't "catch," and "seemed to want to apply strong engine breaking (sic)," then it wasn't siezed.

Check the vacuum hose to the petcock. If it is cracked or otherwise not as good as new, replace it.

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verslagen1 YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline Where there's a will, I want to be in it. Posts: 28890 L.A. California Gender:	Re: breakdown question Reply #11 - 07/15/09 at 18:57:48 1track wrote on 07/15/09 at 18:00:01: Does anyone think it was related to overheating/seizing? If it were overheating, it would grind to a sudden halt. Most likely the petcock problem. Put a new vac line on, tighten the ends with clamps. While you're at it, check the line for gas, should be none.
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thumperclone Serious Thumper Alliance Member Offline PGR rider riding with respect Posts: 6150 Grand Junction Colorado Gender:	Re: breakdown question Reply #12 - 07/15/09 at 19:13:51 grayhead thought: is your heel (big boots)hitting the kick stand?? return spring on the K.S. may be weak....T.C.
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Stimpy - FSO Serious Thumper Offline SuzukisSavage Int'l Division Posts: 1203 Germany - formerly SD, SoCal Gender:	Re: breakdown question Reply #13 - 07/20/09 at 19:16:08 yup, sounds exactly like a gas valve problem, we all have it, just run it on PRI and switch to ON at nights; savages rarely seize, good luck.
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srinath Serious Thumper Offline I love YaBB 1G - SP1! Posts: 5349	Re: breakdown question Reply #14 - 07/20/09 at 19:43:45 It could be a vacuum lock in the gas tank. Cool. Srinath.
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