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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Where to start ...
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Message started by Pswartz on 04/22/19 at 14:55:47

Title: Where to start ...
Post by Pswartz on 04/22/19 at 14:55:47

Hi All,
Background... over the winter I bought a nice 2004 Savage!! Excited to get it on the road, but it does have a few little issues that I hope this community can help me out with.
First off, it is a 2004 w/5500 miles. One of the previous owners apparently has tried to fix the backfire issues because the brass cover on the idle adjustment is already pulled out.
The bike will not stay running unless the choke is more than 1/2 out, even after running for a bit to get warm.
And it backfires a bunch.

I'm not sure where I should start...
Do I get a carb kit and get things back to original?
Do I pull the carb apart and maybe buy an ultrasonic cleaner and give it a good bath?
Suggestions/comments/ideas?

Other than the choke and backfire issues and some new tires, it (and me) is ready to hit the road! :-)

Thanks for your help!
Patrick

Title: Re: Where to start ...
Post by verslagen1 on 04/22/19 at 15:06:39

I would clean the carb and adjust it per the tech section instructions.
check for exhaust leaks, when it backfires will give a clue as to what is wrong.

Is it all stock? changes in the muffler or intake filters will cause problems... some worst than others.

Title: Re: Where to start ...
Post by Pswartz on 04/22/19 at 16:00:42

I believe it is all stock, don't see any changes in the muffler. Still need to take a closer look at the intake filters and check for exhaust leaks.

Title: Re: Where to start ...
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 04/22/19 at 17:19:41

Carefully snug the exhaust flange bolts.
Much easier to snug them occasionally than fix one.
Look in the muffler and see if he drilled it.
Unless it's whisper quiet.
Dirt accumulates around the spark plug.
Don't pull it unless you have blown the crap out.
Don't idle on the sidestand.
The cam doesn't lube right.
If it's idling low, not cool.
And yeah, clean up the carburetor.
The bolts are J.I.S., not Phillips.
A #2 Phillips with a second on the bench grinder so it seats into the X will work.
Replacing the bowl bolts with SS Allen head screws is the usual approach.

Title: Re: Where to start ...
Post by Pswartz on 04/22/19 at 17:30:02

6B747275686F5E6E5E66747833010 wrote:

Don't idle on the sidestand.
The cam doesn't lube right.

Oh, wow! Good to know. I wasn't aware of that, is there an aftermarket center stand for the Savage? or should I look into getting a jack/bike stand?

Title: Re: Where to start ...
Post by norm92de on 04/22/19 at 19:40:55

If only Suzuki had put a centre stand on it. Oh well. :'(

Title: Re: Where to start ...
Post by Dave on 04/23/19 at 03:42:43

If it has sat for any length of time, the fuel has likely gone bad and plugged up the pilot jet. The hole in the jet is smaller than a pin....it takes very little crud to block the flow.

Clean the carb.....in most cases you won't need any new parts - just clean the existing parts.

Title: Re: Where to start ...
Post by ohiomoto on 04/23/19 at 06:16:25

Since you believe the PO may have worked on it, I would make sure the carb is clean, has the stock jetting and that the idle is properly set. It's should be around 1100 rpm if I recall. A lot of people want these things to sound like half a Harley and set the idle way too low. Once you have a stock setup, you can properly tune the bike for what it needs.