OK. Here goes.

I have purchased a 1998 LS650 that according to the owner had been stored for the winter season and now does not start - he has recently purchased a larger bike and does not want to repair the savage.

I had already been perusing this forum and began troubleshooting my motorcycle. Here is what I had done so far:

>replaced the petcock with a raptor petcock
>drained old gas and filled with fresh
>replaced the battery with one recommended on this site
>replaced the sparkplug with a champion plug

This is all fine and dandy.. but it still wasn't starting.

I believe that due to the failed stock vacuum petcock the engine is flooded, but while trying to start with starting fluid (this worked to get the engine going for 10-30sec, then it would cut out) the engine backfired and ignited starting fluid at the air-intake.

NOW, my air intake assembly is melted. there is possible wiring harness damage, and I'm not sure how much more money I should throw at my old thumper.

She has 18,000 miles and for the most part was in good condition.

I had thought about getting one that is road ready before I am in too deep with this one.

I am excited to work on it, but as is the bike is getting to be a big project.

Any advice would be awesome.

Thanks

OH! I forgot. When checking all the lights post-fire they seem to work, and the neutral indicator lights up, BUT, I can't get the bike to roll freely even when it says its in "neutral" . . .

lol

Thanks, I'll have to give that a try... it didn't do it at all until after the air cleaner burned up, not sure what that had to do with it, aside from rolling it during the emergency lol

A trick I learned which may free your clutch plates is to pull the clutch lever in and hold it all the way in with velcro or what have you and leave it that way over night or longer if possible.  By removing the pressure the plates may separate.  If they do not free up you should go into the case to work on freeing them.  If they are stuck, the bike will start in neutral but when you put it in gear the bike will lurch forward.  Not good for the trans.  I learned this lesson the hard way on one of my Triumphs.

OK, thank you.

When I replace the air-cleaner housing, what should I be aware of with the vent tube from the crank-case?

if I put on some other air-intake/filter without replacing the housing, what can be done with the crank case vent tube?

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I had already been perusing this forum and began troubleshooting my motorcycle. Here is what I had done so far:

>replaced the petcock with a raptor petcock
>drained old gas and filled with fresh
>replaced the battery with one recommended on this site
>replaced the sparkplug with a champion plug

This is all fine and dandy.. but it still wasn't starting.

I believe that due to the failed stock vacuum petcock the engine is flooded, but while trying to start with starting fluid (this worked to get the engine going for 10-30sec, then it would cut out) the engine backfired and ignited starting fluid at the air-intake.

NOW, my air intake assembly is melted. there is possible wiring harness damage, and I'm not sure how much more money I should throw at my old thumper.

I am sure that the carb needs cleaned.

The wiring harness definitely has some melting, but all of electrics still operate as far as I can tell...

Without much experience, could I replace the stock air-box?

Could I replace the wiring harness myself? (Probably just takes time right?)

If you bike won't roll freely when in neutral.....the clutch is not the problem.  When in neutral the only thing that turns when the bike is moved is the rear wheel, pulley and belts, and transmission output shaft.  If the bike was in storage for a long time....the rear brake drum may have gotten rusty and is dragging on the brake shoes.

Does the bike shift between gears when you move the shift lever?  Does the neutral light ever turn off when you are moving the gear lever?  (Your burned wiring harness may have cooked the wires and provided a ground for the neutral indicator light....which would make the light stay on continuously).

where are you located? there may be someone on this forum that is close to you that could help take a look.

also, pictures sometimes help. yours, maybe not as much since you are questioning tranny stuff, but melted airbox and electricals could help us see the extent of the damage.