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Message started by SpottedOwlStew on 07/17/07 at 22:32:47

Title: New Owners Of Older Bikes
Post by SpottedOwlStew on 07/17/07 at 22:32:47

Being a new owner of a "pre-owned" bike
presents a pretty big learning curve.
My new toy is missing the chrome side battery covers and finding replacements seems to be quite a task.
Got it for an excellent price, so a couple parts to
hunt down will not be too darn painful.
Just starting to enjoy riding again after 12 years
away from it. 40 minute commute up Mt Rainier.
This is one guy that is fully awake on arrival.
I think the deer wait until you are coming.

Title: Re: New Owners Of Older Bikes
Post by verslagen1 on 07/17/07 at 23:43:07

Howdy and welcome.

It's called a chrome tool box cover.

They're available here and there (oem parts stores)

also you can find them on fleabay from time to time at a reasonable price.

Check the marketplace several bikes being parted out.

Title: Re: New Owners Of Older Bikes
Post by Max_Morley on 07/18/07 at 09:42:11

Welcome to this Savage board from Moses Lake. Hope you enjoy your Savage as much as I do. Max

Title: Re: New Owners Of Older Bikes
Post by Savage_Greg on 07/18/07 at 13:04:23

Howdy, from owless Washougal.

Title: Re: New Owners Of Older Bikes
Post by SpottedOwlStew on 07/18/07 at 17:14:39

Thanks to those extending a welcome.
my "real" helmet and saddle bags are on
their way second day air...
Tomorrow after work I get to ride over 50
without the wind tunnel effect.
How do these people ride all of the time
with a skull cap helmet? (I have a loaner)
First you go temporarily deaf,
Then you get to peel what's left of the bugs
off of your face for awhile.
Then if it's raining... (like here today)
I am just not tough enough I guess.
A face shield is all that is between now,
and really enjoying riding again.
Hope those bags fit.
I'll let you know.

Title: Re: New Owners Of Older Bikes
Post by Savage_Rob on 07/19/07 at 10:34:49

Welcome!

Title: Re: New Owners And The Zoom
Post by SpottedOwlStew on 07/19/07 at 22:45:44

Holy you know what!
A short ride to try out my new helmet.

That feels way too good.

I can actually hear what the motor is doing.
Up way too late, but the saddle bags are
just about a perfect fit. Just a...WOW.
Decided that dog chain, properly placed,
will tie them suckers down and keep the
right one off of the wheel. Sweet.

First commute to work with a "helmet".
Each to his own. I prefer to hear the world.
Please don't judge me by my personal site,
Time has been at a premium for quite awhile.

Link to image of my morning run to work...

http://www.spottedowlstew.com/images/commute.jpg

Title: Re: New Owners Of Older Bikes
Post by Savage_Rob on 07/20/07 at 05:34:22

For new replacements, try places like CrotchRocket.com (http://www.crotchrocket.com) and RonAyers.com (http://www.ronayers.com) and reference the parts fiche. Otherwise eBay is a great resource as well as the Marketplace forum on this site.

Title: Re: New Owners Of Older Bikes
Post by Valleycat on 07/20/07 at 09:40:06

Savage_Greg wrote:

Howdy, from owless Washougal.

Holy crap! I've been reading this board for well over a year and never really felt the need to register until now. I'm from Washougal but live in Phoenix now. Sorry to hijack the thread but my jaw hit the keyboard when I saw the name of my hometown.

And... there are owls in Washougal. One almost hit my windshield while I was in high school driving home one night.

Title: Re: New Owners Of Older Bikes
Post by BigWes on 07/22/07 at 19:46:50

lol, hey fellow new be, when i bought my 95 savage it was missing the same part, however the person i bought it from had a replacement. So i know they are available, but he tride to glue a locking mechicnisim on and did it backwards, cost me a good 45 min to scrub, clean, refit, and instal. But now she's pretty again

Title: Re: New Owners Of Older Bikes
Post by SpottedOwlStew on 07/25/07 at 08:02:10

Well, that completed my first week of
riding to work. Other than dodging a few
deer, it has been fantastic.
I had no idea that getting a new front tire
was going to be an ordeal too.

Options:

Drop it off, half a day?

Do it myself?
(I really want the front balanced, so no...)

****
I called Northwest Harley here.
They are close to my Daughters place.
Yep, they have the tire.
But sorry, the mechanics will not work
on non-Harley. Prejudice everywhere.
I've been told that if I did Metzner in the
back, it should be on the front too.
Something about matching tread patterns?
Any feedback appreciated.
The front on now is probably the original,
a little dry rot, tiny fractures in the sidewalls,
probably not urgent, but needs to be replaced.
You would think for a "top of the line" $150
tire, it wouldn't need to be balanced.
No luck on the left side cover or toolbox cover yet.
Is $4 the standard price for little cosmetic plastics?
Seems to be. They all have cost that much anyway.
(Handlebar adjust plugs, one end cap...)
Have to get it cleaned up. People are saying:
why don't you wash that thing?
Like, I don't have the time until today. Maybe...

Title: Re: New Owners Of Older Bikes
Post by justin_o_guy on 07/26/07 at 20:41:04

Easy to balance the wheel. Set one end of the axle on a table & gently spin the wheel. When it stops, if it doesnt back up, its most likely pretty close. Whatever it does, mark the top, or bottom, doesnt matter which. Spin again. See where it stops. If it stops in the same place, that side is heavy, go to the other side & add a little weight. If you drill out a barrel weight like is used for trot line fishing so it will fit aropund a spoke & hack it up with a hacksaw,( dont be breathing the fumes) Then take a section of it & slot that so it will go around a spoke, crimp it enough to make it not slide & spin the wheel, oughta be able to save about 30 bucks that way. YTou can also get adhesive backed 1/4 oz weights. I did before I thought of the fishing weight thing.

Congrats on the bike. Stay awake on those deer filled roads.

Title: Re: New Owners Of Older Bikes
Post by verslagen1 on 07/26/07 at 21:16:06

The front wheel can be done in the forks. Just take it out, flip it around so the disk is on the other side, leave the spacers out and it spins fairly easily.

Title: Re: New Owners Of Older Bikes
Post by justin_o_guy on 07/26/07 at 22:30:55

The way I suggested doent require an installation & removal & holding the axle is no sweat with one end on a bench. Or, haul it off & pay. thers 3 ways to pick from, I say as long as you dodge the deer, the rest doesnt matter much.

Title: Re: New Owners Of Older Bikes
Post by verslagen1 on 07/26/07 at 22:44:33

Then I guess you mean that you place the end of the forks on a table to lift the wheel off the ground? And you're hoping that the brakes don't rub at all?

That didn't occur to me, as it's normally explained to remove the wheel and rest it on something, 2 chairs or such.

Title: Re: New Owners Of Older Bikes
Post by justin_o_guy on 07/27/07 at 02:33:54

I havent gone to read my oroginal post again, but I am pretty sure I included setting one end of the axle on a bench. Thats how I did it. Its really easy. I would never try it on the bike, since it would mean doing it as you say, inverting the wheel, reinstall, remove, & install, & I have to mess with a bike thats wobbling since its off the ground. Naah, Hold one end of the axle in one hand, Very easy. I promise. Brakes would surely be a hassle, unless maybe I drove the piston back & got good clearance, that might work! I didnt thini about putting the wheel on the bike to balance it, since I had it out. I just thought it would be easy enough to hold it & spin it, & it was, so I doidnt look further for an answer.