I went for about a 500 mile ride this weekend. It was mostly on the interstate, which in Nebraska means the speed limit was 75 and everyone goes about 82.

I had no problem staying up when the wind was at my back, but when I was driving into the wind at that speed, the bike did something new.

For the lack of a better word I would say it sputtered.  All was fine until after 65-70, but into the wind, it would cut out and lose speed.  There was also a light tapping noise, sounded like metal on metal.  If I turned the throttle back to 7/8ths, the sound and problems went away, most of the time that is.  When the wind was bad, it all would happen at a lower speed, and I would have to turn back more on the throttle.

when the wind was at my back, the problems still happened, but they were very rare.  in fact, i was up to almost 90 with no noise or sputter and at full throttle a few times.

at first I thought it was the transmission slipping, but it was less bad as I turned the dial a jet lean.  I have a performance carb from Lancer, a daj, a cone k&n filter, and a Harley muffler.

I'm sure I don't have the carb tuned perfect,  but does it seem like I'm on the right track thinking it is a carb problem?

I just don't know what the metal sounding tapping noise could be.

I don't know what the deal is with my mpg thing in my signature, I was averaging about 34 mpg, which is less than I usually get, but the bike was loaded down with stuff, high wind, and higher speed than I usually go.

"PRIme" would be my thought, too. The stock Savage has a top speed of around 85, give or take a little. At near wide open throttle, there is very little engine vacuum available to hold the vacuum-operated petcock open. Closing the throttle a little produces more vacuum, so the petcock would work better. This isn't a limit specific to the Savage (S40), but applies to all vacuum operated petcocks. I can't explain the noise, unless it was a bit of detonation from lean running, possibly a side effect of the petcock limiting fuel supply.

I forgot to share that I have already replaced the petcock with a raptor.  so I don't suppose it is a vacuum problem.  

I was thinking that the noise might be knocking, so I tried a variety of octane fuels.  87 is mt usual, so I tried 89 with ethanol and 91 and 93 with ethanol.  I didn't much difference.

He don't have a stock carb.He has a performance carb.

that's what I have been thinking, that the main is lean.  I am new to playing with carbs, so I really don't know.

Lancer gave me a set of main jets with the highest being a 200, which is what is on there right now.  I am going to have to get some bigger jets and see if that helps.

I also have the clip at the leanest position, so I am going to move that down a bit.

Right on about something don't seem right here

drums1 wrote on 10/10/10 at 09:18:42:

The other player is the air filter..yours is a K&N cone. At top speed into the wind, perhaps a little less air is getting thru..which should lead to too rich -  the opposite of what you suspect..too lean with a wide open throttle.