Dynobob wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:02:


Interesting.  I've got one person saying the white spacer could be the problem, one person saying exhaust leaks, and another person saying add the K&N air filter and leave everything else the way I have it.

Talk about confused...  ???

Yet again, in reading in "another forum", I see where rejetting is recommended on the Savage with no white spacer mod whatsoever.

I just know I'm missing something here, I just can't put my finger on what it is.

bentwheel wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:02:


Oh I know.  Frustration is exactly what it is, and not at anybody here by any means!  I just know that I'm within "shooting distance" here and just can't get the last bit of it figured out.

Let me run this by you...

I just went outside to the garage and fired the bike up.  Let it warm up for several minutes and put it through some paces revving the engine up and down.  On decel when I'm approaching the idle range, I'm getting a bit of pop and a wisp of black smoke when its almost all the way down to idle.  The black smoke then disappears.

Right now, I'm 1 1/2 turns out on my pilot.  Any leaner and she backfires and shoots a little fire, any richer doesn't really seem to do anything other than I figure I'm sooting my plug up.

Would that indicate to you that I need to add more back to the spacer?  (Bearing in mind that I am at 1/2 spacer thickness now).  

I'm committed to taking this one step at a time, and I think there is something in the idle circuit that is still not quite right.  

Guys, bear with me here.  I know I'm rehashing the same thing over and over, but I'm just trying to get this thing down perfect (or as close as I can).

Thanks for your help in advance!

Thanks guy!  What you said makes sense now that I see it written out that way.  Guess the K&N will be next on the agenda, because I'm really not in the mood to tear the carb apart again to swap jets.

I use the K&N stuff.  I have K&N filters in both cages and the bike and the same detergent and oil are used for any of 'em.  You can Google air filter oil and get a number of hits on various brands and merchants.  Most should be fine in a K&N, since it's metal and cotton.  I'd be a little more cautious on foam filters and use only the recommended oils, as incorrect oils might dissolve the foam.

babbalou wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:02:



You might want to stay away from beehives too!

Heat can crystallize honey too.  If that happens, it won't be very sticky anymore.

Your blueing pipe would suggest a lean condition.  Your flat spot at about 1/4 throttle would suggest the same.
With the pilot adj screw being stuck at 1 1/4 turns out you cannot richen the mix as it is, so you might go to the next larger size pilot and remove some more of the washers to get the needle to at least the 1/2 white spacer position ... if not more.  
You have the SE2 muffler, which is a very high flow muffler and thus requires plenty of fuel to mix with all of that air.  I think you should also consider going to a 155 main jet.
Do the changes one at a time and note how the bike is running and what the plug looks like.  If you start getting BLACK SMOKE and/or the engine seems to be bogging down then you are getting too rich ... otherwise ... let 'er have the fuel until then.  When you hit the place where it starts smoking/bogging, stop and back up one size.  That will be your best jet size or needle setting.

Brief update. Now at 155 main/ 1/2 spacer distance, and the bike seems to run a lot smoother at 1/4 throttle on up. No detectable difference on the top end, but a friend was following me and said no smoke. At least I'm not too rich yet. No clue on the mileage, but thx for all the help so far.