hey guys... so I've already found some good advice looking through the forum... but gotta get to work. wanted to give my specific details and see if anyone had further advice...

I had problems starting yesterday (50 degrees or so) but she finally turned over. This morning (mid-40s), no luck, and I tried so long the battery doesn't have enough juice anymore. I learned very quickly that trying to push start a very cold bike, in 45 degree weather, on a flat road is not only nearly impossible, but heart-attack inducing.


info worth noting: 2000 savage L650. I've had an engine problem that's gotten worse and worse over the past month (as it's gotten colder and wetter outside). Riding in reserve was helping, but now that's not even working too well. Constantly cuts out at red lights, and often as soon as I pull in clutch and downshift when slowing. Choke doesn't seem to be much help - need to roll throttle while clutch is pulled or cuts off -  and if I start it normal then pull the choke, she cuts off right away.

From what I found on here, I need to adjust the idle - and really what I should do is switch to the raptor petcock, I just work nonstop and haven't had time so I've been dealing with the crappy ride by throttling hard at red lights.

I know it could be battery, but my savage is my daily ride, and only 8 hours went by since I got off her last night to when I tried this morning.

I tried in first, neutral, choke in, choke out. (though, from what I read I see i should only do it in neutral in cold due to oil viscosity). Normally, if I hold down starter and give it some gas she'll start up after 5 or 6 clicks.... no go this morning.

any advice?

(sorry such a huge post, but won't have time to check till later today and want to give as much details as possible. Thanks ahead of time, you guys are awesome!!!)

Cold plastic = stiff plastic, petcock may not deliver well,, BUT, it otta start on whats in the bowl.

What are ya doin with the choke?
Get that batter well charged..
& yes, I set my idle higher at startup, I turn it down as the engine warms up. I do that even in summer.

I know one thing, mine always starts faster and better when it has the little cheap HF maintainer charger hooked to it. That tells me my battery is not the best of shape anymore after near 5 yrs old,.......which I knew that when I bought it 2.5 yrs ago.
And in cold weather especially, the Savage needs a good battery to start correctly.
Also, don't read this forum too faithfully,......or you too will get brainwashed into believeing that a manual petcock will fix everything !
Just remember that if "prime" don't fix it, a manual petcock won't fix it.

Two years ago my savage was my only way to work, even in the snow. My stock battery did fine in warmer weather, but below 40, it would turn over forever but never start despite reading a good voltage.

I switched to the Big Crank and the bike has been so much better starting up.

A manual petcock isn't a bad idea generally on these bikes, but right now I'd be suspect of the battery, especially if it is a bit older.

Want to cover all your bases? a $20 petcock and $80 battery gets that out of the way.

Another thought: what kind of oil do you run? switching to a lighter weight might help out a bit, but i'm not positive.

Carb ever been apart?? Sticky slide maybe?? Vacuum lines ever been checked or replaced?? How bout the spark plug??

The idle speed adjust screw is on the left side of the carb. The big fat shiny one.

Definately sounds like a charge, if not new, battery is in order. You'd be amazed the difference it makes.

Good luck, keep us updated.

It's worth the cash to go for the sealed glass mat type...
Big Crank on the internet... or Batteries Plus if you have them where you are...
Batteries Plus will cost you a little more. but you have local warranty, and get it right away...

Don't do an Ebay cheapie,... I got screwed last year with one,... it had soldered on tin lugs that broke right off...

IU wouldnt go piddling with anything till I was dead sure its not the battery. That would just introduce more potential reasons its not starting. Even with a messy carb, it otta coff & sputter. It went from running to not starting, doesnt sound like a carb to me. Carb may not be perfect, but it was running..


& if the plug got nasty while you cranked the gas & had it on choke, you may be smart to slap a fresh on in, like someone said Up There.

drums1 wrote on 10/22/11 at 14:35:56:

Its probably an AGM, (absorbed glass matt) not a gel. I'm not sure they make a gel type MC battery, but if so, it would not be a good choice, because most have special charge and discharge specifications,.....if I remember correctly.