Hi Guys,

Had my Savage for over a month now & I have certainly spent some time getting my hands dirty!!

Just a couple of things that are bothering me and I'm struggling to find on this great site.

1st Having an early model ('87) I'm getting the backward motion on switching off the engine...starter clanging. I know people have mentioned letting out the clutch to stall the bike helps, but tried that and it still happens. Is there any fix for this ? I really don't like what I'm hearing (sounds like an expensive repair sooner or later).
It isn't everytime, but I'd say 3 out of 4 which is not good.

2nd issue is the Petcock/carb. I have had several problems getting the bike to run on the Vacumn(on) position. I have replaced all the hoses and bought new fixings to clamp everything tight. I still find the bike seems to idle much lower on the on setting as opposed to the prime position. However if I run it on prime the bike is fine but after a long run if I forget to turn it back from prime the bike relieves itself all over the floor!!
I assumed a stuck needle valve so stripped carb and cleaned but this still happens.

I have on order from the States, a Raptor petcock and a carb rebuild kit, but any advise would be appreciated. I'd love to get this little bike running reliably enough to venture out with some of my biking friends again.

Lastly, and sorry for the wordy thread. I would like to try to adjust the valves on the engine. The "how to" in the list of topics will not open for me. Is there a guide anywhere that may help?

If not is it like an old style setup ie a locknut and then a screw adjuster on the top? Also is it possible to just remove the inspection covers to adjust the valves or do I need to remove the whole top cover of the engine?

If you've stayed with me all this way... you're worthy of a medal...sorry for so many questions.
Stoney.    

If I don't reply for some time it will be me watching England whippin' the Germans this pm Either that or needing therapy for another humiliation on penalty shotouts.

Can't help with the starter...

The Raptor will likely fix the idle and fuel leak problem...

Regular screw slot and locknut adjusters... easy as pie.... and top cover stays on...
To find TDC,... turn engine CCW 'till you see the intake valves finish their cycle... 0.004" or 0.1mm...

you guys only left me one thing...  

There is a circuit you can build to activate the decomp solenoid on shutoff.  if you need the info, pm me.

Or you could activate it manually by adding a lever.

The European Savage site has the decomp circuit listed somewhere on it.    

Basicllay it keeps the bike running for a tiny amount of time after you turn off the bike, and at the same time engages the decompression solenoid.

Other choice would be to find a Dual Sport bike and take the manual decomp linkage and rig something up to both decomp the engine and be a kill switch