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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> newbie to the club and first overhaul and mods
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Message started by muzendoski on 10/11/06 at 05:40:46

Title: newbie to the club and first overhaul and mods
Post by muzendoski on 10/11/06 at 05:40:46

Dear all, I just bought a new LS650 (2006) and decided to try and do the maintenance myself rather than take it into the shop. I got the service manual (which just came out) and it is suprising how clear the instructions are, especially compared to the one I have for my car, which is almost incomprehensible. Let me know if you think I am headed down the road for a mechanical disaster or a meaningful maintenance experience. Any other advice would also be appreciated. Here are my current mods.

1) removed all the stickers and the cheap plastic "boulevard" stick ons. That took a lot of gasoline and careful scraping. It took me almost a month to figure out that my motorcycle was really a "Savage" and not an "S-40 Boulevard." That is really confusing.
2) installed Saddlebag supports and got some saddlebags
3) got a license plate and a parking permit for my job.
4) broke it in so it doesn't look so new
5) changed the oil but not the filter. My motorcycle store was out of the savage filters so I have to go back later or order them online.
6) tightened the two exhaust bolts (coming out of the engine) which were loose.
7) starting reading "Zen and the Art of motorcycle maintenance" for inspiration.
Yours, M U

Title: Re: newbie to the club and first overhaul and mods
Post by Savage_Rob on 10/11/06 at 06:21:11

First of all, welcome. The bike is an LS650 (the model) regardless of whether it's called as a Savage or S40 (the marketing names). I'm not sure what you meant by breaking it in so it doesn't look so new but as long as you're happy with the looks, it's all good. Personally, I'm going for low maintenance flat black and truck bed coating seems to be a great choice to achieve that (that idea thanks to Clueless). I'll be getting my exhaust ceramic coated sometime also... at least the header anyway. I always change the filter with the oil. I usually get about a half dozen at a time to make the shipping cost work out better. Try RonAyers.com if you haven't already ordered one. That's where I got my last set. They are also one of several sites with an online parts fiche catalog. Don't tighten the header bolts unless the engine is cold and don't overtighten. That aluminum is soft and could strip easily. I read Zen and the Art a long time ago and I personally get a lot more enjoyment out of Daniel Meyer's Life Is A Road (http://www.lifeisaroad.com/) series.

Title: Re: newbie to the club and first overhaul and mods
Post by gary_ona_savage on 10/11/06 at 10:46:43

Welcome,

Raised seat mod a must. Sportster seat is better. You hinder parts will thank you.

Also, carb spacer mod highly recommended.

Then there is the windshield, new muffler, carb rejet, K&N air filter, better shocks... well, the list continues to grow. Soon as I finish one addon, I find a new one I want to do.

I'm curious about the "broke in" as well. Heck, if you want a "broke in", I'll trade my "broke in" '95 for your "unbroke" '06! ;D

Gary

Title: Re: newbie to the club and first overhaul and mods
Post by thumperclone on 10/11/06 at 19:07:09

the 06 has a one piece seat ive looked hard a few times at doin the seat mod on my 06 has anyone done it??

Title: Re: newbie to the club and first overhaul and mods
Post by Savage_Rob on 10/11/06 at 20:10:51

I put the S40 gel seat on my 98 and did the standard seat mod, if that's what you mean.

Title: Re: newbie to the club and first overhaul and mods
Post by lancer on 10/11/06 at 21:15:42

Welcome aboard Newbie, you are riding the right bike and have found the right website ... good job! ;)