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Message started by callen1950 on 11/07/06 at 12:02:52

Title: Resurrecting a Savage with Questions
Post by callen1950 on 11/07/06 at 12:02:52

Hi, everyone!

I am new to the Savage, but I rebuild hopless two-wheel cases all the time.

This Savage is a terrific bike. It'll be my first thumper.

It was given to me by a friend of a past neighbor (I have yet to buy a bike... they all find me this way!) Anyway, some PO tried to turn it into a drag bike. He'd drilled out the fins, threw away half of the electrics, all of the exhaust, the front footpegs, airbox, battery box, front fork springs and all the covers, all the chrome. He then rough fitted old 7/8 handlebars, chopped off every ounce of metal from the frame that he didn't need, etc., etc. The final touch was to spray paint it puke green over the rust. When he was done with it, he abandoned it in the mud, where it sat for a couple of years... No joke, it smelled like it has rested in a pig wallow, and this might be true because the alloy wheels were completely corroded. Never seen that, before!

I am the patron saint of lost motorcycle causes. When I saw it, it broke my heart. It had to live again.

After about 6 months of hunting, welding, stripping and restoring, it's coming back quite nicely, but there are a couple of things that I am not familiar with.

After lots of hunting, I found a decompression solenoid. I understand the principle, but I wonder if it is complete. I have the V-shaped bracket and the cable, but I cannot figure out where it should mount. There are no good photos in the Clymer book. Also, when the V-shaped bracket is off, the piston just falls out. Is this complete/correct, or am I missing a piece of the solenoid housing?

I also need some pieces, and if someone has spares or knows how to find these, I would greatly appreciate any help. I need front fork springs, and the chrome cover for the tool kit that ataches to the battery box. EBay has not been stepping up for these.

I can post pics of the work in progress, too. She's looking pretty cool. Right now, she's sporting white primer coat. I will wait 'till the spring to paint it Cobalt.

Thanks for listening!

Len[flash=200,200][/flash]

Title: Re: Resurrecting a Savage with Questions
Post by vroom1776 on 11/07/06 at 14:31:26

let's see... decomp mechanism...

left side of the bike, top front of the engine... there should be a hole going at a right angle to the long direction of the bike... If the mechanism is still there, there will be a "bolt" with a spring around it. If the mechanism is not there, the decomp lever lives in this hole, and when the decomp solenoid pulls on the cable, the cable pulls on the lever, turn the "bolt" which opens the exhaust valve. It's not really a bolt... no threads, but a little foot at the end to push on the exhaust rocker arm...

You can more or less see the mechanism in this pic:

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g152/vroom1776/INSPECTIONCOVER-1.jpg

See the spring w/ the large nut on the end... that's part of it... can't see the bracket too well, but you can see it a little better in this pic:

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g152/vroom1776/sPARKPLUGSCREWDRIVER.jpg

Title: Re: Resurrecting a Savage with Questions
Post by callen1950 on 11/07/06 at 15:39:00

Thanks very much for the info and pics. It helps alot. I can see the mechanism you are talking about.

I have another question, if you don't mind... Every schematic that I have studied (to hunt down the info you just gave me,) seems to show a different configuration of cylinder head than I have. The diagrams show what is basically a flat cylinder head with fins that finish about the same height on both sides. The chrome covers mount the same on left and right. Mine seems to be missing like half of the left cylinder head. When the chrome cover goes on, there is about a 3 inch gap leaving the spark plug and the decompression mechanism exposed. It's almost like I am missing a part of the fin area. Is this something that is not stock, like a squish head, or something?

I have taken a pic of that side of the head, but have not figured out how to post pics on this site yet...

Thanks for your assist!

Len

Title: Re: Resurrecting a Savage with Questions
Post by vroom1776 on 11/07/06 at 16:34:04

I'm having a hard time envisioning what you are typing...

if you type: [img*][\img*]

that will work to stick in a pic, BUT DON'T USE THE ASTERISKS! I stuck them in there to make sure the code shows up...

okay, then UPLOAD the pic somewhere, for example, photobucket.com

now go to the pic. right click. select properties, at the bottom of the list. copy and paste the "location" info between the [img*] business.

for example, the savage at the top of the screen gives:

http://suzukisavage.com/images/yabb_header.jpg

so, it should look like this, minus the asterisks...

[img*]http://suzukisavage.com/images/yabb_header.jpg[/img*]

http://suzukisavage.com/images/yabb_header.jpg

so... we need pics!

In the pics I posted, you can see where the valve covers are supposed to be... do you have the part that the valve covers mount to, i.e. the cylinder head cover?

Title: Re: Resurrecting a Savage with Questions
Post by callen1950 on 11/07/06 at 17:07:56

Yep... it works. Here's the cylinder head. See how it seems to be cut away?

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p91/callen1950/1000539B.jpg

Here's the work in progress... It's taken down as I am workin g on it. Most everything is here now.

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p91/callen1950/100_0538.jpg

and here's the before picture.

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p91/callen1950/1036B.jpg

Thanks for the help! By the way, with your pics, I walked out and figured the decompression solenoid right out! Thanks again.

Title: Re: Resurrecting a Savage with Questions
Post by thumperclone on 11/07/06 at 18:45:20

best thread of the year!!! 8)

Title: Re: Resurrecting a Savage with Questions
Post by SAMM on 11/07/06 at 19:14:24

Alloy wheels?? Havent seen Alloy wheels on a Savage ?? Yes it was a diamond in the rough

Title: Re: Resurrecting a Savage with Questions
Post by lancer on 11/07/06 at 19:16:36

Dude, it looks like you still have some room for a few more bikes yet !! :D

By the way, someone did a fine job of cutting all of the left side head fins away. It sure does make getting to the plug a lot easier. The thought had crossed my mind about a month ago.

Title: Re: Resurrecting a Savage with Questions
Post by callen1950 on 11/08/06 at 04:49:45

As for the alloy wheels, he took out half of the spokes, and plugged the rest with JB Weld. The remaining spokes are practically rusted clear through... The rear rim is completely eaten through to the tire along the bead, but - get this - it holds air. The front one is still complete, and has a new Dunlop. Still has the mold wiskers on it.

He removed the fork springs and installed air adjustments.

Whoever did this really seemed to have some craft (like the ground down cylinder head.) But for me, I am restoring it for a street ride. Since I didn't know the bike, it's been like a puzzle, figuring out what's missing, and where pieces go.

Most of this restoration has been kinda costly. At this point, I got the bike for free, and I've put in about $800.00. I just need fork springs, and the tool kit cover for a complete bike. If someone has spares, I'd appreciate your making an offer.

I need a pole barn. ;) I own 6 bikes I've restored currently, and I've restored and sold about as many as I own. Right now, the stable has;

'78 Honda CB750
'74 Suzuki GT550 (needs engine restore. Was hot and perfect, until I blew the engine coming back from Deal's Gap last spring.)
'72 Honda CL450
'81 Kawasaki EN454
'78 Vespa Grande

I have a '68 Honda C100 Cub that is is progress.

I also have a Honda CB350, in rat shape, waiting for a restore. I think I'll sell this one when its done.

It's my hobby, and my wife looks the other way. I have been really lucky. As the word gets around that I take old bikes, people have called and asked me to take them away, or they drop them off. The only bike that I own that I bought was the Cub. Since it was the first model I ever owned, I spent the money when I found a good one.

Sorry to ramble. Thanks for the assist, everyone!

Len

Title: Re: Resurrecting a Savage with Questions
Post by DianeS. on 11/08/06 at 20:10:38

I think it's great that you are fixing up old bikes, especially that savage!!! I know bikes aren't people, but I like to think that bikes like to be ridden and used.

I know that when I bought my 2000 savage last fall, it only had 7400 kms. on it, between the four owners.
I've just about doubled that mileage, and I'm sure the bike is happy to be used, and well taken care off! ;D

Long live the savage!!!!!

Title: Re: Resurrecting a Savage with Questions
Post by callen1950 on 11/09/06 at 14:46:55

A agree, Diane. I think they like to be ridden. Aftet 20-30 years, they each gain a distinct personality. I have had chances to ride the same old model, even the same year, and they have their own sound, handling. Some have been treated well and respond well, and others have been treated badly and have lost their spirit.

I think the Savage will be happy to be alive again.