After 69,000 miles on my 2000 Savage, I FINALLY decided to take the plunge and do the white spacer mod.  I filed it down to 2/3.  Putting the needle/spring/slide back together, and finally succeeding, I thought "I am now qualified to do microsurgery!"

I immediately noticed improved performance and greatly increased mpgs (from 50 before to 60 after).  However, soon after I started to notice it tried to stall when decelerating from 55+ when stopping or turning, and mpg dropped to about 47.  Tracked it down to the infamous petcock issue.  Keep in mind I am certain that this was the original petcock that came on the bike.  

Has anyone else had this "coincidence" - modifying the white spacer and then having a failed petcock?  Is there any logical explanation from any of our mechanical geniuses on this site?  Just wondering

And yes increased mileage is due to 2-3 things ...
1. You drive by feel, and a engine that gets the right amount of fuel will be feeling more powerful so you're shifting into 4th sooner.
2. Your economy depends on throttle position, and a bike that runs right will be able to run a higher rpm and hence hogher speed for a given throttle position.
3. Karma - aka a cooler running motor which will reward you with increased life, also has less cylinder wall friction ... and all the parts are cooled by intake charge ... and they run cooler.

Yes karma is the best of the reasons.
Cool.
Srinath.

69K!... That's great!....
Have you had any issues with the cam chain?...

PS,.. my guess is just coincidence,...

Serowbot wrote on 07/30/09 at 11:15:50:


Serowbot, I put 51,000 miles on the original motor with never a thought about the cam chain.  Decided to rebuild top end, still didn't know about the cam chain adjuster issue, never could get it to run right.  Probably had something to do with the adjuster.  Also, Oldfeller is going through my old engine and found that, in some messing with the clutch, I incorrectly reassembled the oil pump drive gear.  The last <1,000 of the "rebuilt" engine's short life was lived without the right lubrication. :'(   I was fortunate to find a salvage engine with 2,092 miles from a dismantler.  I have now put about 18,000 on it.  A new cam chain and adjuster are in my immediate future.

Thanks for the reply,.... 51k, and probably better if not for the oil issue is still great.
I'm at 21k now,... and no other bike interests me, so I want this baby to go forever.