Hello!  Thought I'd introduce myself.  Last night my gf and I stole bought an 86 Savage for dirt cheap.  Doesn't start (weak battery), previous owner says it just cut out on him while riding down the highway, he got it towed home, and hasn't touched it since.  He was so mechanically DISinclined, he needed my help to remove his license plate!!!  So I'm thinking it's something simple - fuse, bad connection, something like that.  I'm not asking for diagnosis help at this time - we just got it home last night and I haven't even tried to find the trouble yet.  That's my plan for tonight!

I personally ride an 81 Honda CB750 Custom these days, but I've always liked the Savage.  At 6'0" I'm a bit tall for one myself, but at 5'1" my gf fits on one great, and if I get it working, it's something she can ride after completing her MSF course in a little over a week.  How's that for timing?

Looking forward to tapping into the wealth of Savage wisdom undoubtedly stored in the forum archives.  Don't worry, I'll use the search first.

I know you said you weren't looking for a diagnosis, but check the cam chain tensioner. How many miles on it buy the way?

Yes pop the clutch cover off and take a look.  At 32k lets hope it's been once before.

Any strange sounds while cranking it?

http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1192027390

http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1191167029

You might hear a sound like a chain being drug across the aluminum covers on the right side.  Or if you started it, you might hear a tap, tap, tap... also on the right side right above the oil filter.

Being that it's a used bike, I'd take off the clutch cover and check the innards just to be save.  the links above will show you how and why.