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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Finally Stopped Reading And Opened My Wallet
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Message started by Bear_Rider on 04/19/08 at 10:25:13

Title: Finally Stopped Reading And Opened My Wallet
Post by Bear_Rider on 04/19/08 at 10:25:13

Yesterday, I opened my wallet, shooed away the moths, and bought a 2001 Savage with 3700 miles. I then proceeded to ride it about forty miles home, through twenty to thirty mph gusts, culminating with about a quarter-mile of poor gravel road.

The bike tracked through the winds like it was on rails, and handled the gravel with aplomb. The only problem that I had was that the windshield had been set up for a shorter person, and the helmet buffeting was awful. I repositioned the windshield last night, and it appears to have solved the problem.

This is my first thumper, and it's going to take some getting used to. It feels a lot like a bike running on pavement with extremely aggressive knobby tires, and was a little distracting at first. I was concerned about the transition from my little TW200, but the Savage is not so savage. Someone on this forum described the power perfectly -- "user friendly".

The bike appears to be in showroom condition, and requires only a belt adjustement (it's at the limit for slack), some ergonomic adjustments to suit me, and an oil change before I could be off to anywhere.

There is one minor problem. I am the third owner. Somewhere in the mix, the key for the fork lock and helmet lock(?) has been lost. How would I get a new one made? I've already looked for some sort of number, but haven't found it.

Title: Re: Finally Stopped Reading And Opened My Wallet
Post by verslagen1 on 04/19/08 at 11:18:05

If you have an original key, there's a number on it.
A letter for the keyway and numbers for the cut. It's also on the ig. switch. Any locksmith should be able to cut a key for you.

This key should also work the helmet lock and tool box.

Everyone's lost a tool box or helmet lock so it may be a different key. See the tech sect for tool box rekeying. There are several different keyways used. If it's a different one than your ig, post it and see if someone will trade with you. I think I have a spare C keyway.

Title: Re: Finally Stopped Reading And Opened My Wallet
Post by Bear_Rider on 04/19/08 at 11:29:05

I just stepped out to the bike and looked again. My ignition key DOES fit the helmet lock. I must have been sleepier than I realised when I checked last night. However, the fork lock takes a much narrower key, and doesn't appear to have any numbers on it.

I'll call the dealership and feel them out, just for grins. I also know a good locksmith whom I'll visit the next time that I get to town. However, the fork lock is pretty low priority on the scale of woes.

Title: Re: Finally Stopped Reading And Opened My Wallet
Post by verslagen1 on 04/19/08 at 11:34:21

Now's a good time to check all the bolts and nuts for tightness.

Find out which ones are missing and replace.

Title: Re: Finally Stopped Reading And Opened My Wallet
Post by Bear_Rider on 04/19/08 at 12:06:11

Not to mention a routine oil and filter change, just as a precaution.

I talked to the dealership. According to them, I'd have to order an entire new lock and key for $32. From looking at the bike, I'd probably also have to completly remove the front forks in order to install it. I think that if it comes to that, I'll spend the $30 on a good rotor lock or other security device.

Title: Re: Finally Stopped Reading And Opened My Wallet
Post by JakeB on 04/19/08 at 16:41:21

694E4A597479424F4E592B0 wrote:

Mine also didn't come with the fork lock, I bought one somewhere online (bikebandit, ron ayers, or crotchrocket.com) it was cheaper than at the dealer. They are easy to replace, you just pull the little rotating cover off and drill out the tumbler.

However, I found that I don't use it often enough to have replaced it, and a rotor lock is more secure, although if someone wants your bike bad enough all it takes is two guys and they could lift it into the back of a pickup. :'(

Title: Re: Finally Stopped Reading And Opened My Wallet
Post by Mr 650 on 04/19/08 at 17:03:36

I have an '01 too, never got the fork lock.
I talked to my locksmith and he said they are weak, a joke.
I still don't have one.

Title: Re: Finally Stopped Reading And Opened My Wallet
Post by Bear_Rider on 04/19/08 at 18:14:56

Thanks guys. I don't think that the fork lock is worth worrying about. Thinking about the bike as a whole, I realise that two or three strong guys with a pickup truck could make that 350 pound bike disappear in a heartbeat, no matter what parts of it that were immobilized. It would irritate me no end, but it wouldn't break me.

Another minor question. I see on the current specs that there is a four way emergency flasher. Can I assume that became standard after 2001 and stop scratching my head?

Title: Re: Finally Stopped Reading And Opened My Wallet
Post by Reelthing on 04/19/08 at 19:13:24

yes - it was later - not on '02 either - might have started with the S40's

Title: Re: Finally Stopped Reading And Opened My Wallet
Post by Educatedredneck on 04/19/08 at 21:59:17

Bit of advise - make sure your insurance will compensate you for what you paid for the bike - or what the current value is (right now) that way if those three unfriendly gentleman show up and scoop up your bike, you can get your money back and buy a new one. Thats what I set up with my insurance - cost me a little, but now that I have a bike, I'm not waiting another 22 years to get another!!!!! ;)

Don't bother with the fork lock - you can break it by grabbing the handlebars and jerking real hard - a disk lock with a motion alarm is a better bet.

Title: Re: Finally Stopped Reading And Opened My Wallet
Post by PerrydaSavage on 04/20/08 at 02:12:43

Congrats on the Savage Bear_Rider! 8-) BTW, the Insurance Industry rates the LS650 as one the Bikes least likely to be stolen! :) I wouldn't worry too much about a missing key for the fork lock!
Ride Safe and Enjoy!