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Message started by PTRider on 03/25/09 at 22:57:09

Title: New Savage Owner
Post by PTRider on 03/25/09 at 22:57:09

I just bought a very decent 2001 Savage. I have a couple of questions and will likely have more as time goes on.

--I'm 6' tall, size 13 shoes, and I'm melting the heel on my right shoe on the curved spot on the exhaust pipe between the heat shields. Any suggestions on the best thing for me to do to get my heel away from the hot pipe? Relocate the pegs? (That would be comfortable as well.) Any other suggestions?

--What are the favored tire pressures for a 200# rider? 29/33 psi or something different?

--The 8 year old IRC tires still look very good, but...but will they grip? No cracking visible, and the bike looks like it was always garaged (no UV damage to rubber or paint), so the tires look like they're OK, or are they?

--Another Savage rider is getting me a 150 main jet for better around-town response. Good idea? I don't want to do a lot of mods. Ending the backfiring would be OK, as well, and I know that's a problem on modern carburetted engines.

--Any suggestions for finding the rear shock setting I'll like best for my 200#? #3? The suspension feels harsh right now, but I haven't yet checked the rear setting and the fork oil is cold in this weather, and I haven't yet started experimenting with the settings.

--The tool kit cover was missing. I understand that those covers were not one of Suzuki's better ideas...is eBay the best place to look for one?

--Is raising the front of the seat still a recommended mod, or have problems developed with that?

Thanks,
Ken

Title: Re: New Savage Owner
Post by verslagen1 on 03/25/09 at 23:49:21

Them's big feet, try the market place for Ed L's forward controls. Other wise an extra heat shield would be the way to go. But don't know of any that will clamp on, you'll have to be creative. Or use header wrap in the area. It will cause blueing. I betcha a aluminum plate and a couple of hose clamps solve the issue untill you can find what you want.
I use half way between the solo and 2 up tire pressures.
I used #4 before I got progressives. I'm 6' 240. Adjust it till you don't bottom out on hard bumps.
Keep a close eye on those tires and would keep the speed down.
New rider? If I were you and the tires were an unknown, I'd replace them. Better to have some experience before you have to handle a tire problem.
Ah, tool cover, fleabay is your best bet, but sometimes they come available here.
Yeah raise the seat, also see sportster seat mod in the tech section.

BTW, welcome.

Title: Re: New Savage Owner
Post by Wolf on 03/26/09 at 03:26:05

Just because the bike is only 8 years old, your tires could be older. The tire code will let you know when they were built. Also, any tire needs exercise (flex) otherwise they will harden over time. I used to sell tires commercially. I recommend you invest in new tires, your safety first.

Wolf

Title: Re: New Savage Owner
Post by prechermike on 03/26/09 at 03:29:15

Hey PTrider

Welcome to our world. I agree with what Verslagen said, mostly. I found a tool box cover on this sight, ebay had a couple but they ended up being more than a new one. It is ht ekind of thing you need to watch. Ronayers or bike bandit are good places to go for parts and price ideas. Check and post in the marketplace you are looking for the cover, someone might have one.

I raised the front of my seat about an inch or so and HATED it. Let's just say some parts hurt that I really didn't like hurting, so I went back to the stock setup. You just need to try and see what fits for you. I am a big boy as well.

Post whatever questions and someone will answer.

Mike

Title: Re: New Savage Owner
Post by bill67 on 03/26/09 at 06:33:12

New Perlli 66 route tires are real good tires,Raising the front of the seat with put you in one spot you can't move around that bad.

Title: Re: New Savage Owner
Post by Mortation on 03/26/09 at 07:03:36

Well I am not that big and I still have those problems ;) I can't seem to get any responses from "Ed L" in his forward control post so I am not sure if his forward controls are still available.

In the mean time I am going to try these pegs:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300271078371&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&viewitem=

Another member has a similar pair mounted and all that needed to be done was drill the hole out a little bigger.

I am hoping the thinner diameter will help with the shifting and the longer peg will keep my feet away from the exhaust. My feet are already on the end of the regular pegs :(

Title: Re: New Savage Owner
Post by PTRider on 03/26/09 at 07:27:20

744C4F45230 wrote:

The tires were made in the 50th week of 2000, so they are eight year old. (The DOT code impressed into the sidewall of the tire has the week and year of manufacture...look at the last four digits. In this case those digits are 5000. Pre-2000 tires had one digit for the year.) I understand about the need for the tire to flex to bring the preservative chemicals to the surface. While these don't seem to have sun damage, there is more to tire life and reliability than just that.

The Pirelli MT 66 Route tires seem to be a good choice. My needs are in this order wet traction, cold traction, and stability. I don't need a long-life tire as much as I need grip and stability. Is there a better tire choice for my needs?

I'll experiment with the seat angle. Mort, pls let us know if the pegs make a difference. Thanks for all the good ideas, and keep them coming.

Title: Re: New Savage Owner
Post by seviersavage on 03/26/09 at 17:56:28

I'm 6' 240 also, you need a set of ED L's forward controls. They made a worl of difference for me. Also I'll say the main jet will help but the pilot also needs an upgrade. Either the white spacer or just a step up will stop the backfiring and surging at half throttle.
Welcome and be careful.
Seviersavage

Title: Re: New Savage Owner
Post by Digger on 03/26/09 at 21:13:17

FWIW...I've also got an '01 (see signature) with the original tires.

The tires still perform fine on mine but the rear is worn out and will be replaced soon.

My Savage is my daily rider, but my trips are short (strictly running local errands).

Title: Re: New Savage Owner
Post by T Mack 1 on 03/27/09 at 07:01:59

Welcome from one '01 rider to another.... ;D

The 150 main is a good idea but that won't help the backfire.

Motorcycle carbs have three fuel circuits. Low speed, mid range and high . They are controlled by the pilot (low speed jet) & mixture screw, the Needle (white spacer moves that), and the main jet respectively. Affected throttle ranges, Zero to 1/4 turn for the pilot jet/screw, 1/8 to 3/4 for the Needle (white spacer) and aprox 2/3 to Full wide open throttle (WOT) for the main jet.

To fix the backfire you need to adjust the low speed circuit. That is done by adjusting the mixture screw. The screw on a "Stock" '01 is under a brass plug on the right side of the card.

You may want to adjust the white spacer a tiny bit to give you a slightly more power in mid range for those "Oh S$%T" moments.

Title: Re: New Savage Owner
Post by PTRider on 03/27/09 at 07:40:47

I'm beginning to understand the functions of the different parts of the carburetor. I'll soon remove the brass cap and begin adjusting the mixture screw an eighth turn at a time and experimenting with different spacer thicknesses...one change at a time... ;).

Does anyone know if Ed L. is still making the forward control extenders? Or, are plans around?

Title: Re: New Savage Owner
Post by AngloSaxon on 03/27/09 at 09:03:20

Welcome to the crew. I've just bought two new tire for my bike. They're Dunlop 404's. Good tire, good price. $206.00 for the pair, mounted and balanced.

Title: Re: New Savage Owner
Post by Jay on 03/27/09 at 23:16:04

Welcome! You're going to enjoy that little engine that can!
You do want new tires, as the commercial says, "because so much is riding on your tires".
EdL's forward controls are great. I'm just under 6ft, got the 3inch, wish I'd gotten the 4inch. Big difference in comfort though.
Seat angle really is an individual thing. I did the seat mod, and I liked it. That said, I'm still not through. The seat continues, for me, to be a work in progress; but the joy is oft in the journey, not in the destination.
Happiness to you in your journey, and ride safe.

Title: Re: New Savage Owner
Post by texsam on 04/22/09 at 15:45:14

i have quick wuestion i am a ne savage owner myself, love the bike it can really do well on city streets and highway at modest speeds 65 mph or so my question is today i did an oil change and there was no gasket for the bolt (it was over torqued by prev owner) i orgered new drain bolt new gasket from stealership sent me gasket to small so i got a hi temp o-ring temporarly so i went throough a series of orings to find the perfect one that doesn't seep oil one of those times i couldn't get bolt on fast enough so i got my spare oil 1 1/2 quart synth 15w 50 and the rest was 20w 50 will that mix in right and be ok????

Title: Re: New Savage Owner
Post by PTRider on 04/22/09 at 15:56:43

That oil mix should be no problem.

An auto parts store should have a selection of drain plug gaskets with one that is probably a good fit. You can use aluminum, fiber, or plastic. I don't like a copper gasket copper for an aluminum sump...the copper is too hard to deform & seal when the aluminum threads are safely tightened. (By the way, to anneal (soften) a used copper gasket, heat it red hot then dunk it in water--just the opposite of annealing steel.) A rubber-like o-ring is soft and may squeeze out of position.

Title: Re: New Savage Owner
Post by texsam on 04/22/09 at 16:22:36

yeah thats kinda whats happenin even with the best one, i'll check 2marrow i gotta go to work in like 9hours on my bike ;D but i took it for a 10 mile cruise with oring and it seems to do ok not great there is a lil seepage but not enough to worry about work is a 60 mile roung trip :(

Title: Re: New Savage Owner
Post by texsam on 04/22/09 at 18:12:35

does any one know what the specs are for the oil drain plug is m1.5? or how many millimeters is it at the thread mines an 06 i don't know if they have changed i'm gonna find a gasket for the oil drain plug