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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Euro to American Spec Conversion
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Message started by Christopher Scheurmier on 03/27/06 at 10:57:33

Title: Euro to American Spec Conversion
Post by Christopher Scheurmier on 03/27/06 at 10:57:33

Does anyone know what parts/pieces I would have to change out on the savage in order for it to pass american specs? It is a european savage and I want to bring it back to the states when I leave here.

Thanks in advance.
Chris

Title: Re: Euro to American Spec Conversion
Post by sluggo on 03/27/06 at 13:51:18

i believe that depends on where you want to bring it. california may be a bit more of a problem than some states due to epa regs. i tried to bring a japaneese domestic honda back from japan in the mid 70's it was a no go. wiring didn't meet spec. it's now like the arizona memorial, sitting on the bottom of pearl harbor. :-[

Title: Re: Euro to American Spec Conversion
Post by Paladin on 03/27/06 at 19:12:30

On the other hand I registered a Fiat 238 van in California in '74 or so. It was a camper conversion brought over from Germany and had German plates when I bought it. I figured at the very least I'd have to switch to sealed beam headlights, but they let everything slide. (Weird thing -- the radiator cap was in the glovebox.)

As far as I know the European emissions are same as California which exceeds the specs of the other 49 states. Lighting, mirrors, etc. vary by state and will be negligible to correct over here even if required.

Title: Re: Euro to American Spec Conversion
Post by slavy on 03/27/06 at 21:08:12

You will need a speedo in mph.

Title: Re: Euro to American Spec Conversion
Post by mpescatori on 03/28/06 at 07:45:16

The Savage was never catalyzed, not in Europe anyway, which is why Suzuki dropped it in the Old World. So buy a HD catalyzed exhaust and that should be one problem solved. ;)

Another issue is whether your State will demand 'low beam always on', that is, you twist the ignition key and the headlight goes on; this happens only on Scandinavian bikes, not in Germany, Italy, France and other civilized places ;) So just hotwire the low beam relay to the ignition module.

Speedo in mph vs. kph is like asking if the bike imported from England has been converted to left hand drive ;D you just drive - at worst, stick little slivers of colored tape at 35mph = 55km/h, 55mph = 90 km/h, and 70mph = 110km/h. I doubt you'll be riding any faster than 110km/h, and if the speed's lower than 35mph just coast along at the same speed as local traffic.

... now, about those wind-down windows... ;)

Maurizio

Title: Re: Euro to American Spec Conversion
Post by Chris Scheurmier on 03/29/06 at 09:17:55

Thanks for the replies folks. I really do not want to part with this bike when I leave germany.

Title: Re: Euro to American Spec Conversion
Post by Max_Morley on 03/29/06 at 09:35:00

In my experience the Savage does not have a catalyzed muffler on it so that should not be a problem. The speedo and lighting will be the biggest issues if at all. They should not be expensive or hard to fix. I thought the speedo was dual marked so only the odometer part would be wrong and feds don't care about that. Used to be US vehicles (cars and trucks) had to have sealed beam lights, but that has changed also. I think even the 05 models maybe 06 use a relay to turn the headlight on after the alternator has started working to save battery power for starting. The US Embassy in the country you are in should be able to give you the contact points for information about importing the bike, or search for it on the internet. Also who ever ships your household goods may have information as they would not want to get caught in the middle of importing someting illegal. When I was in what used to be West Germany in the early 70's there used to be a provision for a 1 life time expemption for 1 vehicle and I think it would apply to a motorcycle also. I was considering importing my Ford transit van but decided getting parts here later wouldn't be worth the hassle. The savage share parts world wide so that won't be an issue. Might want to find a shop manual for it or at least a wiring diagram for the lights issue. max

Title: Re: Euro to American Spec Conversion
Post by RadarORiley on 03/29/06 at 11:09:09

I have had several bikes inspected and the most they looked at them was to see if the lights came on, had tires and liability insurance. We just rode them in, they looked at them and we never got off the bikes. Maybe you just need to bring it to Texas.

Title: Re: Euro to American Spec Conversion
Post by slavy on 03/29/06 at 22:55:11

According the Az law- the head light doesn't have to be ON all the time.