Posted by Andrew on February 20, 2003 at 21:02:59:
In Reply to: new buddy posted by dave cutter on February 20, 2003 at 09:24:26:
Hi Dave,
You bike is badly set up. You might have to return it to the shop to have it set up properly.
The choke is pulled fully out to start the bike. Once started, the chock knob is set the the half way position. As soon as possible (after a mile or so) the choke knob should be pushed fully in. The bike should never be run with the choke knob half way out once the engine is warm, regardless of the weather. Perhaps this is why your plug is black.
The mixtiue screw should not be turned out really far, as you say. It should be turned out about one and a half to two turns only. As the mixture screw is unscrewed from the fully in position, the engine revs will rise and the engine will run smoother. At about one and a half to two turns out, the revs will no longer increase, and this is the position for the mixture screw.
You say the bike won't run at higher revs with the choke fully in. Well it should. If it still won't run at higher revs with the mixture screw set, return the bike to the dealer. It's done 900 miles. Perhaps the previous owner has experimented with different needle settings or jets in the carb. Perhaps the previous owner has tried to remove the white spacer and not put the bits back properly. Who knows. This may be the cause of the crappy running at higher rpm.
Good luck sorting the problem.
When the Savage is running properly, it's smooth and sweet and a pleasure to ride.
900 miles is a very low milage, but it may be worth checking the air filter is clean and there are no obstructions to the air intakes under the seat (well, they are under the seat on my 1993 Savage).
Happy Savage riding.