Hello everyone! I picked up a project 97 a few days ago and am looking forward to getting it back on the road. This isn't my first bike, currently have two others in the stable, and have worked on bikes a little bit. When I got it the bike would not run unless I put my hand over the tail pipe and choked it out. Then it would just sputter and die. So, I gave it a good carb cleaning and it would finally start but idle very erratically before finally skyrocking in rpms. After watching a few videos I found out that the vacuum line with the metal wrapping on it wasn't hooked up. This made the rpms stay down but still all over the place. There is another smaller vacuum line coming off the carb but I can't figure out where it hooks to. Just as an experiment I plugged it with a screw and the rpms evened out some more. However, it's still up and down and there is a lag between twisting the throttle and engine response. Then after it warms up and I press the the choke in it just dies. Also, someone has put a straight pipe on it and I doubt they did any jetting. The straight pipe is going to go but could it make it run this poorly? Am I missing something with the vacuum lines? Any help would be appreciated!  

Also, after reading the top 4 things post I went ahead and ordered the raptor petcock. It may or may not be contributing to the problem but vacuum lines are annoying so I say let's just get it out of the way.

Get yourself a dyna muffler. Better than stock, better sound and not stupid loud and no drastic jetting issues that come with a straight pipe. There is a link in the tech section.

Go here, down to the Exhaust section
http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1181745927

If you have the CA. model.  that line comes from the bottom of the gas tank (and there's an internal line) it sends fuel vapor from the top of the tank down to a canister mounted on the muffler bracket under the front of the swingarm, from there it should run back up to the small fitting in the rear of the carb body . You should buy a Clymer book as all this is clearly shown.

Where are you located? do you have the emission canister on the bike or not ? NEED more Info!
 On the right side of the carb are there two brass nipples to accept hoses ? or only one close to the carb inlet to the head?
 No matter which model you have, (CA or 49 state)  the second one mentioned,  ALWAYS   has to be plugged when using the Raptor petcock .

I've got it running a little better now. The Rpms are steady and it does decent for a few minutes before stalling out. Gas is pouring out of the carb. So, I guess it's time to pull it and clean it again.

Thanks for the advice. I.cleaned it again to no.change. So, I believe you are correct. I'll check both of those next. I also have the raptor petcock installed. Kw .

Adjusted the float and no more gas pouring out of the carb. Going to give the batter a good charge tonight and try again tommorow! Thanks guys!

I plugged both per your advice earlier today . Thanks, batman.