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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Question about the 650 Suzuki Savage
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Message started by Blake on 12/26/07 at 15:59:56

Title: Question about the 650 Suzuki Savage
Post by Blake on 12/26/07 at 15:59:56

I was wondering if anybody could tell me how I can get access to the battery so I can check it out?

Title: Re: Question about the 650 Suzuki Savage
Post by rigidchop on 12/26/07 at 16:50:47

first get your key, insert it into the tool box cover on the right side of the bike, turn. lift cover, behind cover there are three phillips head screws two at the bottom and one on the top, remove them, now the cover for the battery should come off.

Title: Re: Question about the 650 Suzuki Savage
Post by Paladin. on 12/26/07 at 16:55:09

Before playing with the battery you should undo the negative terminal, assessable on the left side of the bike thru a cutout in the left side chrome cover. Then you don't have to worry about bright sparks if you ground out the right (positively hot) side.

Title: Re: Question about the 650 Suzuki Savage
Post by Savage_Greg on 12/27/07 at 07:46:31

Very simply stated, "Get a manual!"

Title: Re: Question about the 650 Suzuki Savage
Post by T Mack 1 on 12/27/07 at 08:22:40

The "owers Manual" has instructiuons.

If you don't have the owners manual, the dealer should be able to order one, or buy one of the two currently on Ebay, Or.....

see the 2002 maunal Kropatchek graciously gave a link to. (thanks by the way)

http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?board=tech;action=display;num=1138554254

Title: Re: Question about the 650 Suzuki Savage
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 12/27/07 at 08:22:45

I really think that getting a manual is crucial. IF someone is uncomfortable with the idea of walking off into such a task as laying hands & eyes on the battery without help, they certainly need a manual. ALWAYS disconnect the negative terminal first. Avoid allowing the positive terminal to create any sparks by shorting to ground thru tools. The gasses from the battery are very explosive. Don't ask me how I know..

Once you get started doing the maintenace, & unless you are just steeenkeeng rich, I see no other way to keep the Savage, you will get over being worried about it. It getes easier & easier to go deeper & deeper into the maintenance. REad what's on the forum, work done by inexperienced people, serious maintenance!

Not that there is so much work that needs done, but the dealerships cost a lot per hour & the bike is only worth so much. In a few years, paying someone to do all the maintenance & you will have more in costs than it's even worth.

Have FUN learning your way around the bike. Help is available here. Tools cost a lot less than paying mechanics & it's fun to ride your bike, knowing it runs because YOU keep it running.

Title: Re: Question about the 650 Suzuki Savage
Post by Dave48 on 12/27/07 at 08:54:37

Just as likely that "IF someone is uncomfortable with the idea of walking off into such a task as laying hands & eyes on the battery without help," then "a manual." will simply be a waste of money! While I would find an owners' guide quite useful, 95% of a full manual would cover work that it is simply beyond me.
I can build pedallers from any number of small and even theoretically non-matching bits, but add in fuel and electricity and stuff like timing (which I don't pretend to understand) and I am lost.
We are not all practically minded/skilled, never mind engineers!

Title: Re: Question about the 650 Suzuki Savage
Post by Savage_Greg on 12/27/07 at 14:44:50

Or look at it this way, if doing their own work (with manual instruction) is beyond their ability then likely they lack most basic mechanical concepts anyway. If they want to learn the concepts and have a manual, they at least have enough information to get started and stay out of trouble along the way.

It's a matter of attitude. If someone really wants to work on a bike, get a manual. That costs $20. If not, take it to a dealer. That costs $65/hr.

Title: Re: Question about the 650 Suzuki Savage
Post by thumperclone on 12/27/07 at 16:07:30

477265675F363530000 wrote:

i remember when shop rates were $65 hr...75 now

Title: Re: Question about the 650 Suzuki Savage
Post by SteveRocket1 on 12/27/07 at 17:45:16

$80 an Hour at the Triumph dealer
It pays to do some stuff yourself . Like Greg said get a manual. It will help with simple things like an oil change or cleaning the spark plug.
Otherwise you'll pay a couple of hundred bucks for it to be done
Steve

Title: Re: Question about the 650 Suzuki Savage
Post by Savage_Greg on 12/28/07 at 06:52:20

1334253625122F232B2534400 wrote:

Yeah, I was being conservative...some parts of the country may have lower rates. Either way, some shops charge you just to "look" at the bike, but that labor rate is what you pay for "plug & play" mechanics. They don't fix things, they just replace them.

Some modern day bikers, are relative newbies. A lot of them are Boomers with incomes higher than I've ever had. If they break down on the side of the road, they call for a tow. For myself, I feel better owning and reading a manual because when out on some remote 2 lane twistie, I at least know which cable is positive or negative.

Title: Re: Question about the 650 Suzuki Savage
Post by demin on 12/28/07 at 07:06:33

When I was running a bike shop in Ohio,I had a guy call me,his '05 Road king wouldn't start.I told him to pull the plugs,and see what they looked like.He told me he didn't have a clue what sparkplugs were.He had it towed to the shop approx.15 miles on a flatbed $150.00,one hour of shop rate $45.00(then)2 spark plugs $7.00.He flooded the bike.It was fuel injected. :-X

Title: Re: Question about the 650 Suzuki Savage
Post by bill67 on 12/28/07 at 08:01:54

Do you really think anyone believes that.

Title: Re: Question about the 650 Suzuki Savage
Post by Savage_Greg on 12/28/07 at 08:04:02

I turned my sister and BIL on to the "sport" of riding about 5 years ago. Both total newbies, they initially bought a Savage and Kaw 500, respectively. Within a year they became influenced by some of their HD friends and "traded up" to the "Orange & Black" side...

Since then, they have actually "traded up" again to even "bigger and better" HOGS. All 3 sets of their bikes were paid in cash. They now belong to HOG groups, wear all the HOG gear, go on all HOG rides, and think like HOGS, yet if they need an oil change and they call the shop for a home pick-up...

...they don't need no stinkin' manual :P

Title: Re: Question about the 650 Suzuki Savage
Post by Savage_Greg on 12/28/07 at 08:05:13

272C29297372450 wrote:

Do you really think anyone believes that.

You forgot to use the correct punctuation mark.

Title: Re: Question about the 650 Suzuki Savage
Post by demin on 12/28/07 at 08:07:50

bill67 I don't really give a f*ck if you believe it or not.
WHAT ARE YOU ON THIS SITE FOR JUST TO BE A D1CKHEAD?

Title: Re: Question about the 650 Suzuki Savage
Post by Savage_Greg on 12/28/07 at 08:12:50

5D5C545057390 wrote:

bill67 I don't really give a f*ck if you believe it or not.
WHAT ARE YOU ON THIS SITE FOR JUST TO BE A D1CKHEAD?

Good point.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b277/gmdinusa/action-smiley-070.gif

Title: Re: Question about the 650 Suzuki Savage
Post by demin on 12/28/07 at 08:15:58

Guess he has to think about that one. :P

Title: Re: Question about the 650 Suzuki Savage
Post by Savage_Greg on 12/28/07 at 08:19:05

4140484C4B250 wrote:

Guess he has to think about that one. :P

If that's the case, we'll never know. http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b277/gmdinusa/hyper.gif

Title: Re: Question about the 650 Suzuki Savage
Post by demin on 12/28/07 at 09:19:14

:-/still thinkin'? :-/

Title: Re: Question about the 650 Suzuki Savage
Post by bill67 on 12/28/07 at 09:47:10

I'm thinking now :o

Title: Re: Question about the 650 Suzuki Savage
Post by rigidchop on 12/28/07 at 16:05:27

obviously some of us are more mechanically inclined then others, that being said, if you know how to maintain a battery, you should know where to find it. all motorcycles are basically the same, when it comes to battery placement (in a box of some sort, behind the engine)

my 2 cents

Title: Re: Question about the 650 Suzuki Savage
Post by feelinjunky on 12/28/07 at 17:30:41

You seriously have to be retarded if you lack the mechanical knowledge of unscrewing a few screws.

4A515F515C5B505748380 wrote:

if you know how to maintain a battery, you should know where to find it.

Exactly, in more laymen terms, if you know what a battery LOOKS LIKE, you should easily find it.

Title: Re: Question about the 650 Suzuki Savage
Post by Savage_Greg on 12/29/07 at 06:02:46

393A3A333631352A3134265F0 wrote:

Exactly, in more laymen terms, if you know what a battery LOOKS LIKE, you should easily find it.

"Should" is the operative word. Just hang around here a little longer :P

I simply suggest getting a manual because though this site is a great source of info, it sometimes can be a source of confusion (with conflicting opinions). Everyone that wants to do their own bike repairs has to start somewhere in the learning process. It's better to have a manual for all the nomenclature and specs and just rely on this site for support, guidance and "Tips and Tricks"...

Besides, just knowing what a battery "looks like" does little for you if you don't know what electrons "act like"...

Though obvious to some, the next question will be (and has been), "Where are the fuses?" 8-)

Title: Re: Question about the 650 Suzuki Savage
Post by Paladin. on 12/29/07 at 06:42:10

Those of us who grew up wrenching cars and bikes, back when such was normal, have a firm understanding of the basics. Those who have never worked on mechanical things before do not have the basic knowledge.

The books *assume* you know the basics and skip many vital steps that you and I do without thinking.

Title: Re: Question about the 650 Suzuki Savage
Post by bill67 on 12/29/07 at 06:50:17

I agree with that some people here do a lot of things without thinking. ;D

Title: Re: Question about the 650 Suzuki Savage
Post by Gort on 12/29/07 at 08:24:50

I strongly suggest you don't waste your money on the expensive Official Suzuki shop manual. The cheaper Clymer one is more descriptive and practical for most people.

Title: Re: Question about the 650 Suzuki Savage
Post by feelinjunky on 12/29/07 at 08:46:11

Considering that the question to this thread was (thoroughly) answered in posts 2 and 3, it's quite ironic that we're talking about manuals when the matter has been resolved.

Title: Re: Question about the 650 Suzuki Savage
Post by Savage_Greg on 12/29/07 at 08:49:39

7F4E434E4B46412F0 wrote:

Of course, especially in this age, where vehicles are so regulated and unfriendly for the owner to work on...

However, just like the guy with the smoking "box" in the other topic, people should get a manual if they intend to work on a bike. After all, the previous owner of his bike didn't seem to have one either, and did some electrical work anyway. Now he's got to fix it.

It should be noted, however rudimentary, that the Clymer manual does have some basic information on tools, conversions, and materials in the front section. If people are serious, some of that basic information is available to read...but people tend to be lazy in that regard, anyway.

Title: Re: Question about the 650 Suzuki Savage
Post by Savage_Greg on 12/29/07 at 08:52:10

282326267C7D4A0 wrote:

I agree with that some people here do a lot of things without thinking. ;D

Gee Bill, "with that" what are you thinking?

Title: Re: Question about the 650 Suzuki Savage
Post by demin on 12/29/07 at 08:53:20

Since we are on getting manuals.I go to school for aviation,and learned that is illegal when working on aircraft,to not have a manual open to what you are working on. :o

Title: Re: Question about the 650 Suzuki Savage
Post by Savage_Greg on 12/29/07 at 08:56:56

383B3B323730342B3035275E0 wrote:

Considering that the question to this thread was (thoroughly) answered in posts 2 and 3, it's quite ironic that we're talking about manuals when the matter has been resolved.

Whether it's ironic or simply redundant, you might as well get used to it. In this forum there are no time or post limits.

It is never over until it is over...and over...and over... ::)

Title: Re: Question about the 650 Suzuki Savage
Post by bill67 on 12/29/07 at 08:58:36

Oh, I was just thinking about you again

Title: Re: Question about the 650 Suzuki Savage
Post by demin on 12/29/07 at 09:00:29

Not to mention hijacking the thread just to mess with people that have no good input on the topics.

Title: Re: Question about the 650 Suzuki Savage
Post by Savage_Greg on 12/29/07 at 09:01:08

4A4B4347402E0 wrote:

Since we are on getting manuals.I go to school for aviation,and learned that is illegal when working on aircraft,to not have a manual open to what you are working on. :o

I think it should be...much too important. If you have the book you have no excuse.

That's how a lot of us old guys learned mechanics...for me, it was the Navy working on aircraft too...and as you can guess, we had manuals, manuals, and more manuals...

Title: Re: Question about the 650 Suzuki Savage
Post by Savage_Greg on 12/29/07 at 09:02:07

010A0F0F5554630 wrote:

Oh, I was just thinking about you again

Clearly, I would much rather that you thought about women.

Title: Re: Question about the 650 Suzuki Savage
Post by bill67 on 12/29/07 at 09:05:02

What are you

Title: Re: Question about the 650 Suzuki Savage
Post by Savage_Greg on 12/29/07 at 09:06:13

66676F6B6C020 wrote:

Not to mention hijacking the thread just to mess with people that have no good input on the topics.

You really shouldn't let Bill get to you. Can't you tell by his poor use of grammar that he is challenged? He's just hanging around here until some government program becomes available.

Title: Re: Question about the 650 Suzuki Savage
Post by demin on 12/29/07 at 09:07:40

But it's so much fun.(DD)

Title: Re: Question about the 650 Suzuki Savage
Post by Savage_Greg on 12/29/07 at 09:08:05

42494C4C1617200 wrote:

What are you

Still not far, far away, yet?

Title: Re: Question about the 650 Suzuki Savage
Post by demin on 12/29/07 at 09:09:28

He probably tried working on the craft that's going to take him.

Title: Re: Question about the 650 Suzuki Savage
Post by Savage_Greg on 12/29/07 at 09:10:10

5150585C5B350 wrote:

But it's so much fun.(DD)

Isn't DD, an advanced stage of ADD?

Title: Re: Question about the 650 Suzuki Savage
Post by demin on 12/29/07 at 09:11:37

I'm :'(I'm laughing so hard.