lol thanks Todd, these guys are awesome, i was having a panic attack before i posted on here, I'm going to order the raptor tomorrow, wish me luck.

hey guys ran the petcock test, when i unplugged the vac line there wasnt any fuel coming out and couldnt really detect any moisture, but the prime and cap test worked, by bike felt really smooth in prime and stalled in the on position. i just order the raptor. i did notice that there is some oil and/or gas ( some sorta dark fluid) coming out of the breather hose( i think its called the breather hose, its the fat hose coming out the top of the engine) is this related to the petcock issue?

so im looking good right now? also should i put some sea foam in the gas and oil after i switch the petcock and change the oil? thanks again for all the tips!

That fat breather hose had better still be attached to your airbox, if not, the top end of the engine will suck in a LOT of airborne grit. If your bike has a cone filter and no airbox, go to the nearest auto parts store and buy a little cone filter that fits the breather hose. The airbox has a drain line that empties between the engine and the rear tire, check it. If your crankcase filled up with fuel, you have a highly volatile bomb waiting to go off under your behind. I leave the drain line open on mine, have seen airbox fires on other models, it is not pretty, and you cannot put it out.

You might consider putting your location where most of us list it, somebody may be close enough to give you hands on tutorials. The Savage is a decent little bike, but it has a lot of quirks. All easily remedied, pretty much all written up in the tech section.

Throw your Clymer's manual away, buy some real tools and some reading glasses. There are forum members who have been riding and wrenching since the 1950s, some forum members have had our bikes longer than we care to admit (means we are getting older)...

Welcome aboard, pull up a chair.

Big breather hose just flapping... if you are in the USA, swing by Pep Boys or O'Reilly Auto Parts. Look in the "performance" section for a miniature K&N style filter. Trim the breather hose back to a length that pleases YOUR eye, and install the small filter. Your bike will thank you.

Seriously, what is your location? I've had lots of people by the house over the years, working on bikes ranging from 1915-2012 model years. I've been, to quote my wife, "destroying perfectly good motorcycles" for 26 years...  

I despise stock motorcycles, unless they are factory rigid framed or plunger framed, with a springer or girder front end of some sort.

Exposed rear shocks and a hydraulic front end? I'm making it into something interesting.

I think I started "messing up" the Savage when it was two months or so old, paint was already fading, so, why not...

WD, I just toss barbs & jerk chains,, looked like an easy, cheap shot, so I ran with it, man!