i was going 75mph on I-95 in south of Florida, suddenly the engine stopped like when you r out of gas, but more noise. i pulled cluch & brake then pulled over the side of hiway. i check to see what s happened... maybe the starter jammed ? i disconnected positive cable from the starter then tryed to push start, but no sounds... there was lot of smoke came out from air box ( i nolonger use it caz i have corn mesh air filter, however, air box is still there & connected to breading housess) smoke was not black & no electric burn smell. my guss is that piston & head burned. i must conffes, a few months ago i made big stupid mistake when i was chainging oil that is i forgot put oil then ride bike for 2 miles without oil that could caused this problem ? since that my mistake i ride about 5,000miles. i just got towed my savage to home but i haven't got into yet. i dont know where to start. would anybody please give some suggestion & help. i apliciate your time. my savage is 2002, about 25,000miles. stage III. the shop is too expensive for me. i hate see my bike go into junk. sorry for my english is not good.

25,000 miles... oh I hate to read that.  I wish you had checked in here a few thousand miles ago.  Please let us know the outcome.  

(And your English is fine.  Where are you originally from?  I assume you are non-American in Florida?)

verslagen1 wrote on 03/17/11 at 13:15:27:

thank you for your rich infomation. i'm kind of discouraged by the task before me. at the same time i need to save money as much i can, i'm donating japan disaster relief through red cross & global giving. i hear they are not getting much of donation that compare to haiti & katorina.

650LOVER wrote on 03/18/11 at 14:04:19:

I'm sure we all feel deep sympathy for our brothers across the sea.

Once you get that cover off, you'll most likely find the culprit.

Then we can assist you further.

verslagen1 wrote on 03/18/11 at 14:16:21:

yes, im going in 2 c what s in there. i'll report my finding later. until then thank you so much. most likely i need few days

verslagen1 wrote on 03/18/11 at 14:16:21:

i openned the case. these are my finding;
1) plunger is out from housing about 20mm or 1.5"
2) many metal pieces, like some shaved off aluminum that the size of 1/4" piece which is the largest, several smaller pieces & some like grain of sand.
i'll try send photos.

that gasket alone cost that much $22 + shipping @bikebandit.

650LOVER wrote on 03/18/11 at 18:25:40:

Next step take the head cover off.
http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?board=tech;action=display;num=1099227295

I think you dropped a valve.

How to post pics

You need to upload your pic's to someplace like bikepics, then link them here.

If it's a dropped valve, new piston, you need to bore the cylinder, have the head reworked, at least one valve.

Easier to get a used engine and swap it out...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/89-SUZUKI-LS650-SAVAGE-engine-_W0QQcmdZViewIte...

Or use the parts to rebuild yours.

If it were me, I'd take the engine out of the frame and take it indoors.
Lay down several layers of cardboard and plastic underneath.