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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> I'm thinking about buying an '86 Savage
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Message started by mollydog on 05/16/08 at 07:23:11

Title: I'm thinking about buying an '86 Savage
Post by mollydog on 05/16/08 at 07:23:11

Has 7,400 miles on it. Price: $700, contingent upon a mechanic inspection. From photos doesn't look to have been dropped. Paint and rubber look good. I think for $700 it might be a good deal. Price is due to owner saying bike is running "rough." Likely just needs a tune-up, but could be something more pricey.

Any suggestions on what I should have the mechanic check for? I'm thinking the obvious (brakes, clutch, controls) and some other stuff, primarily due to a dry climate + 22 years of bike life (wiring, fork seals primarily).

Should I have the cam chain checked?

Anything else?

Thanks.

Hope to be riding by Memorial Day.

M-dog.

Title: Re: I'm thinking about buying an '86 Savage
Post by saratovich on 05/16/08 at 08:21:20

$700 - 22 year old bike . . .

Personally I'd do minimal to get it running, lube and tighten all the bolts to spec, lube and adjust control cables, change the fluids and filters and drive it till it drops.

If reliability is a concern, think about:

1) Carb rebuild - cleaning and replace the old o-rings and seals. While it's apart fix the needle shim, pilot screw and rejet if changing the exhaust.

2) Replace all the seals in the top end . . . definately attend to the cam chain and adjuster.

3) Get a spare drive belt.

4) Brakes (both of them)

5) Electrical contacts check them, clean them the age of the wiring may be problematic.

I just bought a 2003 with 1900 miles on it . . . I had to do #1 and #2.

Good luck and welcome to the board. There is a treasure trove of empircal data and observations on this board . . . from REAL Savage riders!

Title: Re: I'm thinking about buying an '86 Savage
Post by mollydog on 05/16/08 at 08:33:13

Gracias.

Title: Re: I'm thinking about buying an '86 Savage
Post by T Mack 1 on 05/16/08 at 10:40:51

With only 7400 miles, most of your problems would be due to lack of use.

Some hoses would need replacing, the fuel shutoff (vacuum operated petcock) may need replacing,

As for the cam chian, have the mechanic pop the side cover (clutch side) and check it. Some people have had issues at the 7K miles range. My '01 at 10.4K miles, the chain was still good and the plastic guildes were real nice too.

Note: depending on how friendly the seller is, they may make you pay for the oil and a new side cover seal.......

Title: Re: I'm thinking about buying an '86 Savage
Post by verslagen1 on 05/16/08 at 11:51:10

an '86 for $700 is about right, running rought or not.
Old tires?
Old battery?
those are easy to get a little extra off.
do the cam chain inspection
and you might want to look at the starter gears (sorry other side). the early years bikes have trouble with these. make sure all the teeth are good.