I recently installed: a new cam chain tensioner, clutch plates, and new pushrod, oil filter, spark plug, cleaned the air filter and carburetor AND finally started and rode my bike after almost 2 years.

Shifting out of neutral into first gear it is making a strange sound-like a car trying to start but not catching. I thought perhaps it wasn't getting enough oil bc I thought I heard a knocking sound. I asked my coworker to ride it also so he could confirm and I could record. He kept asking if I'd removed the left gearbox bc he was hearing the sound there. I did not. There was no reason to.
I'm going to add some videos but I couldn't quite capture the screeching sound that I heard on shifting.
He confirmed that he heard it upon starting ie shifting into first from neutral.
Any ideas??
Thanks

Oh, yeah- I changed the oil twice yesterday bc I heard knocking on the initial ride and noticed it still had water(looked like mud) and put fresh oil in before taking it out again and making some clutch, throttle, and carb adjustments. It was heated sufficiently to backfire on the way back in. We prob rode it less than 2mi combined just doing loops in the lot.

Anyway, all help appreciated.

Couldn't get the other videos to upload but hopefully this helps


https://youtu.be/J8OoLDLEdi8


This is with the choke pulled out. It dies when puahed in. Made some adjustments to the idle and throttle but this is where I am currently.

Meaning- pull the engine?

I know it may seem as if I know what im doing but a lot of this is confidence inspired by Justinoguy and this forum.

I went from "how do I clean a carb" to "ok, maybe, I can rebuild this clutch" over the course of the 2-3yrs I've been posting. That said, I'm good with my hands but dont have a wide breadth of mechanical knowledge. I do, however, have access to a pretty full garage and some Harley techs.

I also have a clymers manual but I honestly don't know where to start. Any help is welcomed.

Thanks

I pulled the clutch cover off a yr or so ago and didn't realize that it wasn't properly sealed when putting it back on. It sat outside-partially covered and got rained on. So, when I went in to pull the old clutch, the bottom of the case had some oily sludge and about half of my oil can was full of water.
When I say looked like mud, think of a cup of coffee with a couple of hits of creamer-no foam. I drained it and added new oil. I expected some moisture.

Update: my battery completely died on me so I will be switching that out. Also, I didn't notice the knocking when I gpt it started a few wks ago and blow a hole in the oil cover  but didnt really have the bike on long...

Solutions?
Suggestions?
I will take a stethoscope and check out the engine tmrw. Will prob also do a valve check.

I'm waiting on a stethoscope. I had two diff mechanics give me very differing opinions on where the sound is originating from. Both are sure it is coming from the motor and not the clutch cover ie tensioner but one is telling me rod knock and the other is saying top left end, valves.

I've read up on valve adjustments and watched several videos listening to all of the different "oh no" sounds the Savage makes and the knocking that I'm hearing doesn't sound as tinny as the sound coming from the valve videos I've seen. The posts I've found here in the forum in relation to rod knocking have also varied in opinion with most agreeing that the issue is a very rare occurrence and usually something more common like  a loose flywheel nut. Now, I'm thinking that maybe due to circumstance-my bike may be that rare example of a for lack of better term dry-rotted engine with a rod knock. How do I go about fixing this issue? Will it be cheaper/easier for me to buy an engine? Could I buy the replacement parts and attempt the rebuild myself? Would you guys part out the bike and buy another?
This is my only means of transportation. I've been sharing a car for the last 6 months. And I have put a lot of time and energy into reviving my baby. I need help guys.

I was advised to replace the bearings and then have the crank machined and cleaned up. I don't know any machinists off the top of my head and it seems like a pretty insurmountable task. (I've accomplished the impossible with this bike 3x already though.) Anyone know anyone with a parts bike? or parts? equipment?
Also, generally speaking, if there is an issue with my bearings-there may be other issues, no?

Side note: When I replaced the spark plug, I didn't clean it or prepare it in anyway before installation. Could that be contributing to the issues I'm having and do I need a new spark plug?

jjthejetplane wrote on 10/23/18 at 06:46:29:


These "mechanics" obviously have never been inside a Savage, and have no idea what is going on inside this engine.  The Savage has roller and ball bearings and there is no machining to "clean up" the bearing surfaces.  (Except for the issue with the water in your crankcase which may have damaged the crank or bearings......the crankshafts in this bike last forever and other things go bad long before the crankshaft fails).  However - having an engine with water and rust in the crankcase could have ruined the crank and bearings - but there is nothing to machine....you just find a good used one and replace the bad one and use new ball and roller bearings on both ends of the crank.

I really have no idea how to help you out of this issue - there just doesn't seem to be anybody in your area that knows enough about your bike to be reliably helpful and make a believable diagnosis.

You could pull the side covers off and inspect everything you can get to there. Recheck any work you have already done. I'm still concerned that the engine sat with water in it.

If you do open it up post pictures. Maybe someone will spot something.