Hi everyone, thanks in advance for the great resource.

My battery died and I've tried push starting my Savage multiple times, but to no avail. I turned the key, pulled in the clutch, clicked it into 2nd and got it to around 10 mph, releasing the clutch as I hopped on, but it hasn't worked.

Will it be easier to start in 3rd or 4th gear? Also, the bike hasn't started in a while, so there may be carb problems- would that stop the bike from being push started?  Do you have any other advice, besides finding a hill? ( I live in a very flat area)

Thank you!

I have not had to push start mine, but I remember something about hitting the started to release the decomp solenoid.  Also, if the battery is completely dead, it might not start either, something about the battery and the ignition.  

Others can shed more light than I can, obviously, but there is no need to push your guts out either.

If I ever try that again, Im gonna have a way to pull that decomp cable.

Push starting a MC for the old, gimpy (and smart?)

Show up when son calls because MC won't start.
1. Get on MC - turn on ignition - put MC in gear
2. Have son push you until you think he has suffered enough
3. let out clutch
4. repeat steps 2 and 3 when MC dies when you twist the throttle until you realize the reason the MC isn't starting is due to lack of fuel (took me twice)
5. Change petcock to prime and repeat steps 2 and 3.
6. Ride to nearby gas station and fill up MC
7. Contemplate leaving petcock on prime so that next time he doesn't fill up the tank he will have to walk for gas.
8. Switch petcock to run when you realize that the next time will probably involve you again because his cell phone will probably still work and might be in the middle of the night.

I jumped started mine a few times, but only ever going down a hill.  I got up to about 15 let out the clutch and 2 out of 3 times that I did it it started.  The other time the engine just locked up and I came to a dead stop.  Still fun either way.

Or have it die in the mountains.  Last time it wouldn't start I was up in the Sierra's with a friend, headed up to Glacier point.  He pushed downhill and it started.  Rest of the trip I parked at the top of the hill.

Push starting the Savage always seems really hard.  I bought of jumpers for ATV/Motorcycles (small clips) from Kragen and keep them with me.

In the Savage the battery needs to be in good shape in
order to crank up a good strong spark in order to start,
otherwise it's a no-go.

When in trouble i do the following:

1) simply push start it in 3rd gear (3rd works best for me)
either with the help of a) a slight street inclination or b) another
hooman to help push, if alone most people WILL help gladly to
push if asked nicely.  Pushing starting it yourself on a flat street is
an art I have yet to master as I have successfully done it only twice.


2) Start it with your car's battery and jumper cables, easy as pie!
Pop open your hood, attach cables to battery, attach (-) to clutch
lever on right side of motor, attach a long screwdriver to (+) and
turn ignition key on, put bike on neutral and pump gas a few times,
THEN uncover the starters rubber cap to expose nut & bolt, touch
the (+) scredriver there and only there and VOILA!  the savage
suddenly comes alive a la frankenstein! works EVERY time.


** touch the positive (+) WHERE???

Here, under the BLACK RUBBER CAP behind the speedometer cable:

http://www.bikez.com/pictures/suzuki/2000/367_0_1_2_ls%20650%20p%20savage_Cop...

Good luck.

works the starter directly bypassing the contoller.
if it stalls, put it gear and push it backward till you hear compression