SuzukiSavage.com - Loss of power- what's happening?!?!

NCSUindy09

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Loss of power- what's happening?!?!
12/02/13 at 07:43:17

So my bikes not running well. It's really hard to start and does not idle smoothly. Replaced spark plug last night and it ran well for a little while. I also installed my raptor petcock. At any rpm it misses and I lose power. After it's done I get a huge backfire and get my power back. It happens so frequently I'm worried about getting home safely. I've been running fuel injector cleaner through the last 3 or 4 tanks. I'm not sure what to check next. Any suggestions?

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1986 Savage, 18k Miles. Cone air filter, drilled & wrapped exhaust. Stock carb and jets. Daily commute bike.

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wambr Serious Thumper Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 610 Russia, Samara Gender:	Re: Loss of power- what's happening?!?! Reply #1 - 12/02/13 at 07:51:01 well, you can start with the simplest: the state of the air filter and the possible leakage of air into the rubber boot and the exhaust pipe. but in General you can see the color of the isolator spark plugs-he can clarify.
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Serowbot YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline OK.... so what's the speed of dark? Posts: 28635 Tucson Az Gender:	Re: Loss of power- what's happening?!?! Reply #2 - 12/02/13 at 08:06:09 How many miles?... what mods, other than a Raptor?... First glance,.. sounds like your slide is sticking...
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NCSUindy09 Junior Member Offline Rollin' Posts: 64	Re: Loss of power- what's happening?!?! Reply #3 - 12/02/13 at 08:07:21 14300 miles. No other mods.
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verslagen1

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Re: Loss of power- what's happening?!?!
Reply #4 - 12/02/13 at 08:08:41

you're only using an ounce or 2 of that stuff per tankful right?

did you cap the vac port?

dump the gas and get a fresh tankful, known good gas.

check your wiring, especially by the bat box and belt.
check your ground too.

Quote:

First glance,.. sounds like your slide is sticking...

disagree, sticky slide would be just sluggish or lagging throttle.

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NCSUindy09 Junior Member Offline Rollin' Posts: 64	Re: Loss of power- what's happening?!?! Reply #5 - 12/02/13 at 08:11:27 Yep 2oz per tank. Capped the vac port. This is a fresh tank of gas. Got it last night. I'm at school so I have no tools at all. I hope I don't get stranded here.
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old_rider

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Re: Loss of power- what's happening?!?!
Reply #6 - 12/02/13 at 08:24:34

How long ago did you cap the carb vacuum port? and was it with a rubber cap? (sometimes the rubber deteriorates or is loose enough to suck air). Have you ever removed the carb? Check the clamps on both end of the carb are tight and the rubber is seated.

Also check for loose exhaust nuts at head of pipe.(is it popping a lot?)

Do the lights dim or flicker when you loose power?

Does it only happen at speed? or can you reproduce the problem while sitting still in neutral?

That's four different area's that I think could cause your problem.
Hopefully we can get some good trouble shooters to chime in.

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NCSUindy09

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Re: Loss of power- what's happening?!?!
Reply #7 - 12/02/13 at 08:44:20

The cap is brand new. Put it on last night. I have removed and cleaned the carb but it worked well after that. The neutral light dims whenever it starts idling rough. Now it's not starting. When I press the start button it clicks fast and my battery terminal is really hot. I think it's my worst fear- an electrical issue.

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1986 Savage, 18k Miles. Cone air filter, drilled & wrapped exhaust. Stock carb and jets. Daily commute bike.

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wambr Serious Thumper Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 610 Russia, Samara Gender:	Re: Loss of power- what's happening?!?! Reply #8 - 12/02/13 at 08:52:29 terminals of the battery securely mounted? and Yes, even inspect the condition of the ground on the engine crankcase. all other electrical appliances running properly?
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verslagen1

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Re: Loss of power- what's happening?!?!
Reply #9 - 12/02/13 at 08:59:16

yes, I think you have a short somewhere or a bad connection.
good news it's intermittent, bad news it's intermittent Grin

as I said, check your wiring. it's about the only way you'll find it because it's intermittent.

check your ground, right rear engine case by the oil fill window.

remove and reconnect the connectors for the handle bar controls.

Oh, and those darned safeties, clutch and kickstand, they can be bypassed with a paperclip. green connector under seat, connectors on clutch switch.

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justin_o_guy2 Serious Thumper Offline What happened? Posts: 55279 East Texas, 1/2 dallas/la.	Re: Loss of power- what's happening?!?! Reply #10 - 12/02/13 at 09:04:55 Have ya done th cam chain? At that mileage, its time, Got any "new noises"?
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NCSUindy09 Junior Member Offline Rollin' Posts: 64	Re: Loss of power- what's happening?!?! Reply #11 - 12/02/13 at 09:08:10 I have not. It clicks a little bit.
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old_rider

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Re: Loss of power- what's happening?!?!
Reply #12 - 12/02/13 at 09:19:28

Ok battery experts, can just a bad celled battery cause all these issues?

Low power

Spark intermitant (missing while driving) (one fire on shut down after build-up of fuel)

Dimming on start

No starter turn over

Or is it the charging system not putting enough of a charge that causes the batter to cause the above issues.

Trying to help and not hinder.... so let me know if i'm hindering....

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verslagen1

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Re: Loss of power- what's happening?!?!
Reply #13 - 12/02/13 at 09:34:17

Yes OR, you're correct. but since it was starting previously multiple times, I think we can rule out charging/bat issues. Current starting issues maybe dead bat.

Quote:

When I press the start button it clicks fast and my battery terminal is really hot.

clicking fast indicates weak bat. It may push start though.
There's a how-to in the tech section.

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