Newbie here. I received a 87 Savage hand me down from a friend. It was leaking oil all over the place and had rough start - it would start sometimes and sometimes not.

To learn a few things about motorcycles, i took on the challenge. Read through the favorite posts here. So far:

- Reinstalled a new Head Plug Cap / Seal following the guide here
- Replaced the gaskets on each side of engine
- Drained out old oil and put new oil in
- Got a new big crank battery
- Replaced air filter and installed new spark plug.
- Replaced crumbly and old hoses from the fuel tank
- Installed Yamaha petcock

Put the bike together to test to see if it would start and it is not starting.  I get the solenoid movement and click > Alternator spins(makes a continuous TIRRRRRRRRR sound) - this sound is continuous if I keep pressing the starter button and that's it. Petcock on reserve and carb pulled out.

I am going over the checklist and struggling to find what the issue is

- Battery - fresh new battery - no issues here
- Spark Plug - checked it and I see the spark when i pulled out and tested against a metal surface
- Fresh gas in tank
- Carb - I can see carb is getting the gas because when I take it out and gas comes out when i drain it. The floater at the bottom seems to be OK and functioning. I am unable to open the top at this point since screws are shut. The pumping action seems to be OK when I move it with my fingers.
- Compression - I don't have a compression tester and this one is suspicious. I tried putting my hand over the spark plug hole and starting and there is no outward pressure. When I turn the engine from the adjustment nut on the side, it blows out air after a turn.


Any suggestions? The bike needs further work (tires/breaks/springs etc.) - I am struggling to move on if I can get it start.

Thanks!

Can you confirm the engine is rotating when you push the starter? - I hear something turning. I recorded an audio clip for reference. I am switching on the starter pressing the start button. If I keep holding the start button, it keeps turning.

pre 95s have a problem with broken starter teeth - I did not check for this when I had the covers off.

Did you adjust the valves? - No

If you would post your location there may be a forum member that lives close enough to check it out with you and maybe give you some fresh ideas.

djfreex wrote on 04/24/16 at 10:04:17:

pull the starter, reach in the hole and turn the gear.  should turn one way and not the other.  it's a one way clutch.  if it turns both ways, then you got broken teeth.