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Message started by sstankus on 07/05/06 at 11:41:21

Title: Riding on the highways
Post by sstankus on 07/05/06 at 11:41:21

Howdy everyone! I bought my Savage about 1 month ago and really love it. I've read others bashing it, but have found nothing to complain about yet.

Anyway, on to my question...and I hope I'm in the right place. I'd like to lower the rpm's of the bike when I ride on the highway and was thinking about changing the rear pulley. Does anyone have any other suggestions or has anyone done this? It doesn't seem hard, but finding the pulley is a challenge.

Thanks and ride safe,

Scott

Title: Re: Riding on the highways
Post by Al_ironman on 07/05/06 at 12:00:41

I suppose it can be done. It seems like sometime back I heard of someone changing (for whatever reason) the belt to a chain.
I don't think(in my own opinion) that you will see much of a significant change though. Why do you think the bike is turning too many RPMS? Do you think it's the bike or do you think it's just something that needs to be done?
lots of folks have ridden Savages for quiet long distances with just the stock belt and gearing. Mine, I never used to think was overly revved.
Is your bike a newer one or does it have the old 4 speed transmission?

Title: Re: Riding on the highways
Post by Reelthing on 07/05/06 at 12:02:50

Welcome, you shouldn't see much savage bashing around here except for a couple of sour grapes.

your right it's easy to pull the pulleys but hard to find anything any different - there are some chain drive conversions but no here has posted they have done it so far as I remember.

Might as well just open up the breathing, tune the carb, and let her spin.

Title: Re: Riding on the highways
Post by thumperclone on 07/05/06 at 12:44:50

just turned 4k on my s40..been on the I state 75 mph posted, and hgwy 65 mph posted ,some spurts up to 85
never felt bike was over reving..tho did notice some oil consumption after the 85 mph spurts.. if you do happen to fine different pullys and belt and the clearance is there ,front pully is the one to start at..1 tooth front = 3 tooth rear.. saw a post for a taller tire here somewhere
there are clearance issues going that route also..
good luck!! :)

Title: Re: Riding on the highways
Post by bentwheel on 07/05/06 at 19:16:07

sstankus wrote:

. I'd like to lower the rpm's of the bike when I ride on the highway and was thinking about changing the rear pulley.

I wouldn't worry too much about that. The Savage is what it is. Let it rev, you won't hurt it. I have a 20 year old four gear and usually I cruise slowly with it, but today I was in a mood, and was at full throttle more than not this afternoon. Today I let out the shaft. (That's a golf term, but I use that expression when I am riding the nuts out of Black Betty.) I was mostly on major freeways and the Savage didn't skip a beat. Not even when I ran over a rusty muffler exhaust pipe combo at 140 kph (85mph) on the Lodge (A Freeway in Detroit). BTW I went by Tiger Stadium to say my goodbyes, but that's another story.
So sstankus, don't be afraid to let out the shaft.

Title: Re: Riding on the highways
Post by sluggo on 07/05/06 at 19:54:28

bentwheel wrote:

So sstankus, don't be afraid to let out the shaft.

i did that once, was wearing a rain coat at the time.
:o

Title: Re: Riding on the highways
Post by thumperclone on 07/06/06 at 07:23:25

sluggo wrote:

i did that once, was wearing a rain coat at the time.
:o

:oSO thats what you do behind the dumpster!!! ;D

Title: Re: Riding on the highways
Post by sluggo on 07/06/06 at 11:10:55

thumperclone wrote:

:oSO thats what you do behind the dumpster!!! ;D

amoung other things.

Title: Re: Riding on the highways
Post by sstankus on 07/06/06 at 17:19:47

Thanks everyone. Glad to finally be back in the club after being off a bike for 20 years. Nothing's wrong with the bike. In fact, I got a steal! an 01 with...get this...410 miles. Followed the break-in recommendations. I commute 26 or so miles each way to work and thought the change might help with fuel economy and by keeping the revs down, lengthen the life of the bike. (She'll be my son's in about 5 years.)

Title: Re: Riding on the highways
Post by loopedguru on 07/06/06 at 19:49:33

I've been on every freeway here except the lodge. Rusty muffler...Nice!! I've got to ride by the old staduim soon myself.

bentwheel wrote:

Title: Re: Riding on the highways
Post by WD on 07/06/06 at 22:38:27

I've had my '98 to 100+ mph many times. She'll hold up fine. Starts a slight headshaking at 80ish, settles down by 85 indicated. And keeps pulling strong.

Th Savage/S40 is a tough little scoot. I've run mine completely out of oil (once, at a rally, in MS, in July), refilled it, and it's still putting along.

Good luck finding non-stock spec pulleys. I've looked high and low, can't find them. Somewhere in Pokey's future is a chain drive conversion... I THINK you use EN500 sprockets or KZ400/440 sprockets.
-WD

Title: Re: Riding on the highways
Post by Trippah on 07/07/06 at 18:43:13

Can't get enough of those oil baths? I would suggest avoiding the chain gang.The savage does legal speeds, if you really want more- I'd search for a larger bike. SStankus, I just returned to riding after a 30 year break, it really makes the commute much more fun. Enjoy yourself. Actually, I was looking at the Bonnie but the chain drive put me off. They offer a belt conversion for the Bonie America, but that bike doesn't do it for me.