Hi Folks

I hope this is not a subject already covered.  I couldn't find anything on it.

My 03 Savage has dropped an exhaust valve seat.  The seat is very loose in the recess in the head (about 0.010 in)  The valve appears OK, only the seat is loose.  It is the left hand exhaust valve.  

The problem showed up when the bike would not start.  When I took off the head cover I found the LH exhaust valve was stuck in an open position.  When I tweaked the valve with a screwdriver, it snapped closed.  Not good, I thought, so I pulled the head and found the loose seat.

This does not appear to be a common problem on the 650 single.  It looks like I have two options:

1. replace the head
2. have an oversized seat made and installed

Can any of you Savage experts provide wisdom on this problem?

I would appreciate any advice you may have to offer.

Big John

I took your advice and went to an automotive machine shop that I have used before.  He said it can be fixed by machining a new valve seat of the correct size and pressing it into the head.  Not a big deal.  Will cost less than $100 including a valve job.