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SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> POOR MAN'S MOD /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1110505094 Message started by savagethumper on 03/10/05 at 17:38:14 |
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Title: POOR MAN'S MOD Post by savagethumper on 03/10/05 at 17:38:14 Seeing as to how I have no job, and very limited funds, I can't dump hardly any money into any bike project lately. I've really been wanting to remove the sissy bar, and saddle bag brackets, but I darn sure don't have the money to repaint the fender, and fill in the holes. Just for the hell of it, I removed the bar assembly, and realized that with a little touchup paint, and some new Drag Specialties turn signals, I could make this look fairly decent for under $25 bucks. Seeing as to how ya'll are experts in this field, please give me constructive criticism. And before anything is said, all wires and bolts clear the tire completely. I used some small bumper bolts to fill the back holes, and used the original caps for the front holes.http://predator.bikepics.com/pics/suzuki-savage-01-bikepics-311773.jpg |
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Title: Re: POOR MAN'S MOD Post by rkutzner on 03/10/05 at 17:47:01 Just make sure any wires underneath are covered with plastic wire looms or something to protect from the steady barrage of road dirt and debris. |
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Title: Re: POOR MAN'S MOD Post by sluggo on 03/10/05 at 18:05:29 sweeeeeeet. ::) i love poor man mods. on my bobber everything was second hand. fenders, seat, seat springs, dragbar. that's what i love about the savage and the people who ride them. we don't need to spend a boatload of cash to get the machine the way we want. only problem is..... once you start the mods you just find more and more to change. :o :o again great job |
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Title: Re: POOR MAN'S MOD Post by DangMan on 03/10/05 at 21:49:54 Looks verry cool ;D Nothing to put a finger on there 8) |
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Title: Re: POOR MAN'S MOD Post by Kropatchek on 03/11/05 at 04:31:34 What else can I say. Nice job. :D Greetz Kropatchek ;D |
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Title: Re: POOR MAN'S MOD Post by thehoghunter on 03/11/05 at 05:09:53 Since you removed the outside fender struts, did you add some type of inside 'fender struts'? The reason I ask is that I've heard that the fender struts help support the fender from shaking from vibrations and if riding two up. You can get some thin metal strips from your favorite local hardware store that will not interfere with the tire and mount inside the tire well to help support the fender. Not having the 'struts' may cause your paint to crack on the fender. Besides that, GREAT job. :D |
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Title: Re: POOR MAN'S MOD Post by sluggo on 03/11/05 at 06:38:55 thehoghunter wrote:
i wouldn't be that worried about it. the side rails and sissy bar were the first thing i removed. if you look at how they were attached you will see they were not "load bearing". the four bolts attaching the fender to the frame is what carries the load, if anything you lesson the load after you remove them. thats what i saw after i removed original fender. it is reinforced from the inside. just my 2 cents. |
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Title: Re: POOR MAN'S MOD Post by slavy on 03/11/05 at 06:45:13 I had one like this and never had any excessive vibration. The turn signals are very nice. Now You can sell on Ebay all the parts that You removed and even make couple of $$$. |
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Title: Re: POOR MAN'S MOD Post by gitarzan on 03/11/05 at 08:36:25 Does having the Turnsignals that far up on the fender cause an issue? Would a cage driver be able to see a right turn signal? I thought about doing that, but also decided, that since I often ride with my feet folded back on the passenger pegs, I'd kick them death. |
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Title: Re: POOR MAN'S MOD Post by sluggo on 03/11/05 at 09:43:15 gitarzan wrote:
the cage driver doesn't see you, let alone the signal. :-[ |
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Title: Re: POOR MAN'S MOD Post by savagethumper on 03/11/05 at 09:48:45 You all brought up some good points. I'm gonna go out there in a little bit and wrap the wires better to protect them from the elements. As for the load bearing/ vibration issues, the chrome brackets didn't support the weight, they added to it. That setup weighed almost 10 lbs. But, I did notice a little more vibration in the turnsignals than before, that's why I mounted them a little more forward than original. Less vibration towards the mounting point. As for the question about not seeing the turnsignals, I can't answer that yet. I stood way off from the bike and was able to clearly see them, but of course they are not as visible as the "airplane wing" originals. Oh, and I never ride 2 up. My wife don't like to ride along; she wants her own bike. I figure on giving her mine (she loves the color), and getting another Savage or S40. The only thing I regret right now is not being able to put my bags on. I could move the lights even more forward, but that would be too far, and the bags would block them anyway. I'll guess I'll just get a cheap backpack from WalMart, when I head out on longer rides. ::) Anyone interested in buying the parts? |
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Title: Re: POOR MAN'S MOD Post by Greg_650 on 03/11/05 at 10:05:34 gitarzan wrote:
Kinda crotch rocket style on a cruiser, eh? |
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Title: Re: POOR MAN'S MOD Post by Greg_650 on 03/11/05 at 10:09:16 savagethumper wrote:
The only thing I see is Gitarzan's question about the visibility of the turn signals. Aside from that, it looks pretty good and clean. And since the fender is double steel it should still be supported well enough. |
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Title: Re: POOR MAN'S MOD Post by woodworker on 03/11/05 at 10:34:03 [quote author=thehoghunter link=board=RubberSideDown;num=1110505094;start=0#5 date=03/11/05 at 05:09:53]Since you removed the outside fender struts, did you add some type of inside 'fender struts'? The reason I ask is that I've heard that the fender struts help support the fender from shaking from vibrations and if riding two up. You can get some thin metal strips from your favorite local hardware store that will not interfere with the tire and mount inside the tire well to help support the fender. Not having the 'struts' may cause your paint to crack on the fender. I agree with the Hoghunter! You will have to design some sort of support for the fender. The only place it is attached to the frame is at the front end. If you notice, the original fender struts have two bolts in a diagonal position at the forward end on each side where the fender connects to the frame. This allows the fender struts to act as cantilevers and stiffeners, which in turn, support a certain amount of vertical load. I.m afraid that if you carry any size of passenger(be he or she a child or adult) the fender will probably bend at the point where it is attached to the frame. You will also more than likely get excessive vibration at the backend of the fender when riding solo. "Innovation is the mother of invention" |
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Title: Re: POOR MAN'S MOD Post by sluggo on 03/11/05 at 12:16:53 woodworker wrote:
as we sometimes can disagree on things. i have made that mod. and have not experieced the effect you speak of. with the rear wheel off the machine, look at how fender is constructed and attached. that will answer the question. others with rails removed????? |
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Title: Re: POOR MAN'S MOD Post by Greg_650 on 03/11/05 at 12:26:13 Not to be disagreeable...but I must agree with Sluggo. The stock fender is "double walled" and very rigid. I think the fender rails are just there to support the back rest, and since no part of the rails are physically attached to the frame, there is still the possibility of the "bend point" as mentioned where the fender mounts to the frame....yet, in all these years of meeting people that have removed the fender rails, no one has ever mentioned a problem with the strength of the fender. Just my guess, since I still have the rails intalled :) |
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Title: Re: POOR MAN'S MOD Post by woodworker on 03/11/05 at 12:33:11 sluggo wrote:
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Title: Re: POOR MAN'S MOD Post by RaG on 03/11/05 at 12:45:13 This is my first posting on this forum. I'm over on the other Savage forum quite a bit (as RG). I have also removed my fender struts and sissy bar and have not had any adverse effects. I've carried quite a few passengers with no bending, cracking of paint, etc. The four large bolts and the strength of the fender itself are its support. -RaG |
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Title: Re: POOR MAN'S MOD Post by gitarzan on 03/11/05 at 12:51:27 sluggo wrote:
But they can HEAR me. HA Ha Ha HA. |
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Title: Re: POOR MAN'S MOD Post by gitarzan on 03/11/05 at 12:52:31 Greg_650 wrote:
Picked it up riding my old RD350. |
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Title: Re: POOR MAN'S MOD Post by thehoghunter on 03/11/05 at 15:39:46 It's your ride. I have put internal struts on mine because of articles I have read. If you are only riding one up, then you shouldn't have a problem as your weight isn't on the rear fender. If you are using a shorter fender, then you won't see the same condition. And if the fender struts are only there for the sissy bar, why are they on the S40 (that does not come with a sissy bar)? This article http://www.motorcycleshowcase.com/bmsdon28.htm was what made me go with internal support - even mine is't as strong as it use to be but I didn't want my paint cracking but still wanted the same look as your bike. Quote:
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Title: Re: POOR MAN'S MOD Post by rebslb13 on 03/11/05 at 16:52:24 I wondered about this issue when mounting my hard bags. After removing the side bars it appeared to me that the fender is pretty strong with the internal bracing there is. The article cited is for Harleys, don't know how they build their fenders. They generate a lot more vibration I think. RaG - I liked your comment about carrying passengers since removing the side bars. |
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Title: Re: POOR MAN'S MOD Post by gitarzan on 03/11/05 at 18:56:04 I'd think the idea of internal braces isn't a bad idea, but still think the loss of the side chrome would have minimal effect on the fender. It's a pretty solid chunk of steel and if there were no riders, I'd suspect you'd never see a difference. I'd think the sturdiness of the side chrome was to brace the pillion handle firmly. I also think that if the bike was designed today, the fender would be plastic. (Check out a Volusia). Also the rider sits pretty much forward on the fender, and it would take a real fatty or a heckuva pothole to bend it. If I wanted to haul riders around, I sure wouldn't have gotten a Savage, anyway. It's more of a "personal" bike to me. My wife indicated that under NO circumstances would she ever ride (unless I got a sidecar) so I went for the smaller, compact Savage. Not that I wanted a smaller compact bike, but I wanted a street thumper, and my choices pretty much were the Savage, an old Yamaha or a Royal Enfield. |
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Title: Re: POOR MAN'S MOD Post by Greg_650 on 03/12/05 at 07:20:56 savagethumper wrote:
It seems that I'm looking at the same kind of mod. Hmmmm. |
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Title: Re: POOR MAN'S MOD Post by Greg_650 on 03/12/05 at 07:26:29 thehoghunter wrote:
But what applies to a Harley may noy apply to a Savage. He is also talking about moving weight further back on the fender, and it seems that he should also be wondering about the effect of taking weight off of the front wheel. |
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Title: Re: POOR MAN'S MOD Post by WD on 03/16/05 at 22:35:19 I made that same modificatoin in July or August of 99. No problems to date. But, I mounted the turn signals in the rearmost holes, covered the others with skull license plate bolts. No paint issues, no vibration problems. You can pull the struts, hardtail the bike, and still have no problems (mine was that way a couple times I raced it). -WD |
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Title: Re: POOR MAN'S MOD Post by savagethumper on 03/17/05 at 20:33:20 How did you make it a hardtail? Did you put a solid bar where the shocks go? I wouldn't figure the acceleration of the Savage was strong enough to need a stiffer suspension. Hell, it takes an act of God to get the front wheel up. I haven't even done that, just heard fairy tales about it. |
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Title: Re: POOR MAN'S MOD Post by WD on 03/17/05 at 23:14:44 The shocks are heavy, the struts aren't. I blew out my fork seals pulling out of the dealership lot 5 minutes after signing the papers. Whacked the throttle, dumped the clutch, and with the belt set too tight, up came the front wheel. Found out after the front end came down that the front brake was bad...and I still haven't fixed it! Blown out fork seals, non-functional front brake, works fine. -WD |
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Title: Re: POOR MAN'S MOD Post by gitarzan on 03/18/05 at 09:21:32 Quote:
Until the day you really need it! ------------ Speaking of Hardtails, I'd like to see Hardtail Hal check back in. He was harassed off of Heise by some idiot. He came over here but drifted off shortly. |
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Title: Re: POOR MAN'S MOD Post by Greg_650 on 03/26/05 at 08:23:14 This topic gave me the urge to get off my butt and do something....here is my placement of new turn signals... I wanted rectangular to match the taillight, tag and reflector. Somewhere along the way, I'll change the front ones http://home.comcast.net/~gmdinusa/RearSignals03web.jpg |
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Title: Re: POOR MAN'S MOD Post by sluggo on 03/26/05 at 09:44:54 set aside the fact that i hate signals, those are sweet. that should be the stock configuration. but alas it would never happen unless they went with square on a better selling machine. |
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Title: Re: POOR MAN'S MOD Post by PerrydaSavage on 03/26/05 at 12:14:31 Greg ... I'm liking that "Greg" decal in the Savage-style ... would love a couple that say "650" that look similar (nowhere on my '03 does it say 650 ... just LS Suzuki on the side covers) ... where'd you get that decal done? BTW, those rectangular rear directionals are cool ... the stock big 'ol round ones kinda suck ... have always thought that small ovals or rectangular directional that have shorter stalks would suit the Savage better ... |
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Title: Re: POOR MAN'S MOD Post by klx650sm2002 on 03/27/05 at 01:20:42 I got a pair of indicators like those, but with dark tinted lenses, for KLX. I've changed my mind now and am going to stick with the rubber mounted ones so the rectangular ones are surplus to requirements. Clive W :D |
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Title: Re: POOR MAN'S MOD Post by Greg_650 on 03/27/05 at 05:46:02 PerrydaSavage wrote:
That isn't a decal. That was hand painted at a bike rally. The guy tried his best to copy the Savage "font" and color (considering that it's chrome color on mine). I posted a pic of the signals in another topic. I ordered them through a "stealer" for $30 US. |
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Title: Re: POOR MAN'S MOD Post by Greg_650 on 03/27/05 at 05:52:20 klx650sm2002 wrote:
I'm thinking that I'll at least put a rubber bushing under the signal stalks. In fact, after removing my fender and finding rust, I may put some kind of bushing where the fender mounts to the frame....of course, I have to remember to ground it somewhere too. |
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Title: Re: POOR MAN'S MOD Post by PRH111 on 03/27/05 at 09:32:18 PerrydaSavage wrote:
I'll get a picture of my small oval rear turn signals sometime over the next few days if you want to compare it to the look of the rectangular ones he has. |
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Title: Re: POOR MAN'S MOD Post by savagethumper on 03/27/05 at 09:54:20 The Drag Specialties lights I have, are mounted on a thick rubber washer/ bushing. Not like the 2 inch stock lights, but enough to soak up some vibration. I like the fact that the lights are actually metal chrome, instead of plastic. |
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Title: Re: POOR MAN'S MOD Post by savagethumper on 03/27/05 at 10:01:09 ... Quote:
My bike had an LS650 label on the side panels. I pulled them off because they weren't clearcoated over. I wish I could remove the tank label without repainting the entire tank. I don't like names and labels all over the bike. I even used electrical tape to cover up the non important information stickers on the frame. I can always pull it off if I need to see it. I'd imagine that you could order the LS650 sticker from the stealership for a few bucks. |
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Title: Re: POOR MAN'S MOD Post by Greg_650 on 03/27/05 at 11:36:35 savagethumper wrote:
I'm not sure that I understand why many people dislike the Savage and LS650 decals on the bike. They simply state what the bike is. Removal just makes the bike generic. Other bikes have decals, too....but that's what people like to do, so it's none of my business. As for the safety stickers that you are hidding with electrical tape...go to the Technical Corner for the article on how to remove those with a hair dryer and WD40. |
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Title: Re: POOR MAN'S MOD Post by sluggo on 03/27/05 at 11:43:58 after i removed all the safety stickers i placed them inside the tool kit cover so i could still reference the information. i removed my graphics to make it a cleaner look, and to confuse the issue for others trying to identify it. ;D |
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Title: Re: POOR MAN'S MOD Post by Greg_650 on 03/27/05 at 11:45:37 sluggo wrote:
I find that even when people see the decal, they are still confused. |
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Title: Re: POOR MAN'S MOD Post by gitarzan on 03/27/05 at 17:43:59 If I had just about any modern cruiser, I'd want to take the stickers/logo off. |
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Title: Re: POOR MAN'S MOD Post by Paladin on 03/27/05 at 19:01:00 I like the idea someone posted about Mazda emblems. |
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Title: Re: POOR MAN'S MOD Post by savagethumper on 03/27/05 at 20:12:43 you could stick some Volvo S40 emblems on it. Their a neat little chrome emblem. |
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Title: Re: POOR MAN'S MOD Post by Greg_650 on 03/28/05 at 05:25:31 I'll just be the odd-ball then. I'll keep my tank the way it is |
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Title: Re: POOR MAN'S MOD Post by Frost on 03/28/05 at 23:38:06 Being cheap, i did almost the exact same mod. ;D I put the turn signals in the last set of holes though. Also, instead of buying the signals, i got a set of old harley signals from my friend. I took the dual element out of the stock signal and used epoxy to fasten it in the metal housing. Also changed the risers, handlebars and added the "engine guard" this winter... Here is a before http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v647/craigslist781/webpic.gif and after http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v647/craigslist781/P3280006B.jpg sorry for the messy basement ::) |
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Title: Re: POOR MAN'S MOD Post by sluggo on 03/28/05 at 23:50:55 around my place that's called user friendly :o |
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Title: Re: POOR MAN'S MOD Post by Red_Wine on 03/29/05 at 11:25:31 Hi Frost, those turn signals are identical to the ones I had on my previous Yamaha XS 250 cruiser!!! ;D That machines was great, 130 k/hr with a 2-cylinder 250cc engine on a freeway WOW, it was a loud RRRRAAAARRR I sold it to get my Savage, I don't miss the Yamaha, but I know it's still riding around town... Take care, RW |
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Title: Re: POOR MAN'S MOD Post by Frost on 03/29/05 at 14:23:31 RW, when are we going to see a picture of your bike? ;) you must have some pictures of it. |
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