I have a  96 Savage in good condition. Nothing is wrong with the battery. Cranks, but won't start. I tried that additive they recommend to put in the fuel to clean the carbs and nothing. Won't turn over with the choke in or out. I've heard taking the hose of of the carburetor and spraying some starter fluid in it and putting the hose back will get it started. Any truth to that?  Was sitting all winter with low fuel.

Eegore is correct, the battery must be fully charged for the CDI/igniter to provide enough spark.

Starting fluid is usually sprayed into the intake of the carb to facilitate starting. If the carb jets are clogged, the bike will start until it consumes the starting fluid and then stop running. This is a good diagnostic tool to determine if you have a fuel or ignition problem.

Once you’ve charged the battery and have confirmed that the spark plug has a nice blue spark, if the bike still doesn’t start then the problem is likely a gummed up carb. That will require removal, disassembly and cleaning/adjustment.

Bikes usually don't "clog" up over a winter unless your winters last 18 months or more.  Charge the battery, hit it with a spritz or starting fluid if you feel the need.  Once it fires go ride it for 30 minutes.  

I never "winterize" ANYTHING that will sit for 4-5 months during our Ohio winters.  No additives, no cleaners or any of that TOTAL BULL nuts.  I have a lithium battery, I leave it in the bike and I don't put a charger on it.  My bikes always fire up within a few kicks, I mean clicks of the starter motor (went back to my MX days there), and my 30 year old commercial mower starts within a few pulls of the cord after I spritz it with starting fluid. (First pull the rest of the season, no spritz needed.  Last spark plug change...about 20 years ago.  lol)

I do like to change the oil after winter just incase any condensation has built up, but honestly, it's probably so minimal it really doesn't matter.  

Now I'm sure one of our forum experts will point out that I'm doing this all wrong, but it's worked for me since I was a kid.  So take their BS with a grain of salt!  

EDIT:  I will say that I do ride my bike a lot during the summer and fairly late into the season.  "Winterizing" might make sense for those who ride less and their bike sits longer.  Really it's whatever works for you. I'm just telling you what works for me.

compression, is the third part of the part of getting the bike to run fuel and spark the other two. oil tends to drain off the cylinder walls and piston rings when the bike has been sitting. Remove the sparkplug and add a small amount of oil to the cylinder that should lube the walls preventing damage and help seal the rings to raise compression, you'll be able to use less either(starter fluid) and have a better chance the bike will fire up.  

Now that I have had more time to think about it, I'm pretty sure your motor is blown.  Yep, that's it.  To be sure, you should probably spend about $100-$200 on maintenance and then see if it runs. If it doesn't, it's blown.  Good luck.

Oh, and what oil did you put in it?  And you surly need to rejet it too.  Where do you live, what's your elevation?  Do you have a Raptor petcock (legit? most of the time) and have you checked your tension yet (also legit but not related to this thread.)

Over and out.

dangerous ! he's already tried to start the bike , if there was oil on the cylinder walls it's likely gone now , if he doesn't add oil to it or use spray fogging oil he could damage the cylinder walls with further cranking. use of starter fluid would make this even worse. Ask Lancer about having to rebuild his top end one spring.

batman wrote on 04/25/20 at 09:54:30:



Ya know,, Im gonna agree.. Well done explanation

Dave,, you mite wanna walk over and ask if she's done with it .. and just run it dry for her.