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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Back on the road.
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Message started by KwakNut on 06/21/08 at 05:41:02

Title: Back on the road.
Post by KwakNut on 06/21/08 at 05:41:02

After 5 months of tinkering at the weekends, my little '96 Savage is up and running. I'm still tweaking the carb to get her perfect, as the motor is modified, but she'd running pretty well.
It's raining over here so no full shots of the bike yet, but here are the forward controls - I used Ed L's but modified them a little.

The result feels great to ride and looks okay I think:

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e367/5000SE/Fwdcontrolprepmontage.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e367/5000SE/Fwdcontrolsfittedmontage.jpg

Title: Re: Back on the road.
Post by KwakNut on 06/22/08 at 12:44:26

Here she is, in all her glory restored from a rusty unloved basket case to a shiny little lady. With a few mods thrown in too.

It's taken a lot of hours, and probably more in parts than I could get back if I resold her, but I'm happy.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e367/5000SE/LSfinishedfrontright2.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e367/5000SE/LSfinishedlowrearleft.jpg

Title: Re: Back on the road.
Post by KwakNut on 06/22/08 at 12:47:59

I can't think of anything that didn't need work or replacement - here are a few before and after shots:

This gives an idea of condition.
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e367/5000SE/Enginebeforeafter.jpg

Every alloy surface was oxidised.
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e367/5000SE/Masterrescomparison.jpg

Paintwork was awful - brush painted Hammerite when I got her.
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e367/5000SE/Paintcomparison.jpg

Title: Re: Back on the road.
Post by demin on 06/22/08 at 12:53:01

Looks good,nice work. [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

Title: Re: Back on the road.
Post by gj859 on 06/22/08 at 12:54:17

I don't do good work KwakNut, but I know it when I see it. This is good work.

Title: Re: Back on the road.
Post by Mr. Hyde on 06/22/08 at 12:58:28

Kwaknut - You've done an absolutely fabulous job on your Savage. Your side cases are chromed right? Too shiny to be polished. The exhaust sysytem is first class. How does the sound compare with a Harley with aftermarket mufflers (not straight pipes)? How do the mirrors work for you?

Title: Re: Back on the road.
Post by oksavage on 06/22/08 at 13:13:29

great work, what all did you chrome? and what lights are those, very nice and super clean. congrats

Title: Re: Back on the road.
Post by Sandy Koocanusa on 06/22/08 at 13:15:58

That is a truly beautiful piece of work. I'd love to know how you shined up the lower end and all the other pot metal pieces.

Title: Re: Back on the road.
Post by Fat Bastard on 06/22/08 at 13:38:53

That is som nice work you have done there.

It looks really well.

Title: Re: Back on the road.
Post by KwakNut on 06/22/08 at 15:02:33

A few people have asked about the side cases.
They're not chromed, just polished, but done to a high standard using different grades of polish to give the right finish.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e367/5000SE/DSC00919.jpg

Title: Re: Back on the road.
Post by KwakNut on 06/22/08 at 15:08:48

3531293B2C3B3D3F5A0 wrote:

great work, what all did you chrome? and what lights are those, very nice and super clean. congrats

The indicators are 'eagle eyes'.

I've seen them, or something similar, in a few catalogues.

You can get them on eBay http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Eagle-Eye-Indicators-Chrome-Black_W0QQitemZ170231635842QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item170231635842&_trkparms=72%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C65%3A12&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14
though I got mine through a friend's bike shop.

I think they make the bike look sleeker.

Title: Re: Back on the road.
Post by KwakNut on 06/22/08 at 15:11:42

714E12744558593C0 wrote:

The Raask pipe sounds great - a nice 'thump' from each stroke. It's a lot louder than standard, but not enough to annoy the neighbours.

The mirors look good and give me a superb view of my elbows, but not much else unless I raise my arm or turn my head!

Title: Re: Back on the road.
Post by T Mack 1 on 06/22/08 at 18:18:32

I see your helper's reflection in the side cover ;D

I guess I should bring my bike over the pond for you to polish. It would be a good excuse to visit the home of some of my ancestors.

I'm pretty much a std Yank, a mutt... ;D there is some Irish, Welsh and English in there...

EDIT: I like the idea of moving the heat shield up ... good job.

Title: Re: Back on the road.
Post by Educatedredneck on 06/22/08 at 20:35:24

Wow - Very Nice - I bet she ride great too!! :)

Title: Re: Back on the road.
Post by KwakNut on 06/23/08 at 03:43:26

1B62022E2C247E4F0 wrote:

I see your helper's reflection in the side cover ;D
I guess I should bring my bike over the pond for you to polish. It would be a good excuse to visit the home of some of my ancestors.
I'm pretty much a std Yank, a mutt... ;D there is some Irish, Welsh and English in there...
EDIT: I like the idea of moving the heat shield up ... good job.

The mutt's like a shadow. I have a German Shepherd - the one in the reflection is actually the wife's dog, 160lb of Bullmastiff, but he follows me everywhere. He'd be useful in the garage if only he had opposing thumbs so he could pass tools.

I thought about leaving the heat shild in the standard position because it's neater, but I often ride in shorts and I've learned many a lesson about hot exhausts and skin, so practicality required that little mod. Simple too - you just need about 9 inches of 3/4x1/4 bar, 1/8 thick would do the job. (I used 20mmx5mm stainless), drill 4 holes, lick of paint and bolt it on.

Title: Re: Back on the road.
Post by Brad_THMP3R on 07/05/08 at 06:39:35

beautiful forward controls! You and Ed L. should definitely join forces. l am new to machining, what tool(s) did you use to cut the control plates like that? They look like something you would get from j&p cycles! Good job ;)

Title: Re: Back on the road.
Post by Cipolino on 03/13/09 at 10:51:04

wow! it is a really clean bike .... congratulations!!
a question .... can u make me a set of forward controls, about 5"? please!!!! :D

Title: Re: Back on the road.
Post by doc5446 on 03/13/09 at 20:04:40

Congrats, your bike looks immaculate! It's nice when all the hard work pays off.

Title: Re: Back on the road.
Post by KarelVdB on 04/13/17 at 01:31:42

How did you clean/paint the engine? Got is loose from the bike? What kind of paint did you use?

Title: Re: Back on the road.
Post by IslandRoad on 04/13/17 at 03:00:03

Inspirational stuff!

Title: Re: Back on the road.
Post by batman on 04/13/17 at 06:01:47

Super clean! very nice job!

Title: Re: Back on the road.
Post by Gary_in_NJ on 04/13/17 at 06:30:25

7F55465158625076340 wrote:
How did you clean/paint the engine? Got is loose from the bike? What kind of paint did you use?

Don't sit around waiting for an answer, the OP hasn't posted in the forum since May 2009 and hasn't even visited since April 2012.