verslagen1 wrote on 05/12/24 at 22:04:32:gmc wrote on 05/12/24 at 21:32:44:1996 Savage. 21200 miles give or take a few 100. I just took the carb off and cleaned it after letting it sit too long due to having to leave suddenly and getting back a month later. After the carb cleaning, it worked fine for over 60 miles.
Have looked at the cam chain tensioner? Not saying that's your problem now, just beware.
Quote:Maybe i pinched a wire or something and it finally worked through the insulation and is shorting to the frame. I'll take the seat off tomorrow and poke around. Thanks for helping me think it out.
1st thing I'd look at is around the decomp/starter controller (black box on top of carb) neutral wire runs up past there (blue wire) and there'll be a hot wire running to the d/s controller. 1 thing that happens often is the wires between the airbox and bat box wander over to the belt guard and get chewed up.
Quote:And backfiring? Yes - stock carb, so it should, right? Actually afterfire if I'm being accurate. All. The. Time. Well, all the time after I get off the throttle, anyway. I'm thinking of just getting a better carb instead of doing the carb mods. Not sure what carb that would be, though. I'd also like to get something besides the stock muffler, but it's in good shape, so not sure I can justify replacing it for now.
Yes you're correct afterfire. No, it shouldn't happen all the time. Look for header/muffler air leaks. You should be able to chop the throttle, shift, and shut off with no more than a mouse fart on shut down only. Do you know what your jet numbers are?
---------------
Regarding the chain tensioner, I actually have a new one that's been modified for length that I bought of eBay - the guy did a very nice job. I also have a new cam chain and the gaskets I'll need when I get around to that job. Currently, I hear no cam chain noise, so hopefully I can kick that can down the road a bit and concentrate on this current problem.
As for your suggestions about the d/s controller and the neutral wire, I think that's a great place to start. I did hear some weird noise once in a while from the belt but thought it was my imagination. I'll definitely start there when I get a chance to look at this, hopefully on Sunday.
Regarding the backfire/afterfire thing, the bike ran great up until the problem that started this thread, and I don't really mind so much the noise, so I'll also concentrate on the current problem and leave carb issues for later.
One thing I do have to do is get a lift. These old knees and back can no longer deal with working so close to the ground.