Posted by Andrew on November 23, 2002 at 01:22:40:
In Reply to: Won't start posted by Shawn on November 22, 2002 at 23:23:59:
Hi Shawn,
You say the engine won't kick over. What does that mean? Does it mean the electric starter won't turn the engine, or that the engine turns over but just will not start?
If the engine is turning over and just refuses to start, then fuel starvation is a possibility. The petcock (I prefer to call it the fuel tap) has a diaphram which only allows fuel to flow when the engine is turning over. The prime position bypasses this and allows fuel to flow with the engine off. As you ran the bike out of fuel before shipping, the fuel tap will have to be turned to the prime position to refill the carburetor.
I have push-started my Savage once with no trouble. Select third gear. Pull in the clutch. Push the bike until you're running. Let the clutch out slowly. The engine should now turn over. If the rear wheel locks, try a higher gear.
If the engine won't turn over, then you should be checking out the electrics for a connection that nay have broken during shipping. There are quite a few things to check - the kill switch is the favourite. There is a cut out switch on the side stand. Try removing the battery and clean the connections with abrasive paper. Also the connections on the wires that are attached to the battery. The battery connections may be OK for the low current for the lights, but not for the high current for starting.
These tips should get you going. If not, post a followup with what you tried and what happened.
Happy Savage riding.