Posted by rayray on November 28, 2000 at 04:43:46:
In Reply to: serious problem posted by Brian on November 28, 2000 at 02:22:49:
Okay, start with the basics. The official capacity for oil in the Savage is 1.9 quarts (US)- without changing the oil filter. If you change the oil filter you should barely squeeze 2½ quarts of oil (US) into the case. The bike has to be straight up (not on the kick stand) when checking the oil. The oil should be "F" mark in the window.
Motorcycle engines are much less forgiving than larger automobile engines to overfilling. Putting too much oil in a four stroke engine can damage it in a hurry - especially so in a smaller engine like a 650cc. Too much oil and the oil will start foaming. One oil foams, it doesn't lubricate - then it's like running an engine with little or no oil. Bad, bad, bad.
In any event, it shouldn't have started shaking right after you started the bike... unless there was WAY too much oil.
Also, motorcycle engines aren't exactly like car engines. STP and other enhancers should NOT be used. Use a good quality oil according to specs:
10W-40 is preferred, but you can use 10W-30; 10W-50; 15W-40; 15W-50 or 20W-50. Forget the single weights.
Have you ever seen how an engine behaves with too much oil in it? It behaves a lot like your description. Car engines are a bit more tolerant because there's more places for the oil to disperse. Not so in a relatively smaller engine. The extra oil has got to go somewhere and it's going to find its way out at a higher pressure too.
With any luck, the engine is still useable, if you didn't blow the gasket or anything. Drain all the oil back out. Make sure the bike is straight up and down. Carefully add about 1½ quarts of oil (stay slightly below the "F" mark in the window. Start the engine - if you can. And let it idle with an occassional rev (not too hight). Try to burn all the excess oil out from where it shouldn't be. There's a good chance you fouled the spark plug and may have to clean or replace it to get the bike started. If you get it started and are successful in burning the excess oil, then clean the outside of the engine and see if there are any leaks - especially the head gasket.
Let all of us know what happens. Good Luck