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SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Checking out a Savage. /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1248900335 Message started by Seymorerage on 07/29/09 at 13:45:35 |
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Title: Checking out a Savage. Post by Seymorerage on 07/29/09 at 13:45:35 I have the itch again so in my research a Suzuki Savage looks like a great bike for me. I might go look at a older Savage tomorrow. 1988. From the ad and Emails it looks fine but you never know. Is there anything I should be looking for? Any Cronic problems to look for that I could use in negotiating a better price. Thanks Everyone. |
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Title: Re: Checking out a Savage. Post by bill67 on 07/29/09 at 13:47:55 On that old of a bike the wiring and everything else is pretty old.And could cause problems.All the rubber things. |
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Title: Re: Checking out a Savage. Post by jabman on 07/29/09 at 13:50:45 thats as old as i am. just give it a good look over tyres, suspension, drive belt, fork seals etc |
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Title: Re: Checking out a Savage. Post by Stimpy on 07/29/09 at 13:59:28 - yup, electrical system in good shape before all, no rust, cuts & electrical tape everywhere (must remove seat) - new battery = $50 - general rust (look at nuts, bolts and joints) - crashed? (lift and spin front wheel and look at rear shocks & levers for damage) - rusty gas tank (inside) means carb problems (take good flashlight w/you) - Switchgears, pedals & levers Inspect for damage and check controls. - tires (new set about $300) - quality of exhaust smoke (too black/gray? , place hand in exhaust it should not wet stain and should not suck back, only blow - oil leaks? outside of head full of oil? - millage? the lower the better, ask about clutch rebuilt & timing chain - transmission band should not look/feel "dry and cracked" - front shocks should not leak or be too soft, they must be hard to push good luck, post pictures for us to see |
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Title: Re: Checking out a Savage. Post by prechermike on 07/29/09 at 14:13:18 2A21222D212E400 wrote:
I bought something for my 87 some time ago and the bike was older than the girl working the counter. She seemed to know her stuff, though. |
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Title: Re: Checking out a Savage. Post by Demin on 07/29/09 at 18:46:01 Miles-CAMCHAIN TENSIONER |
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Title: Re: Checking out a Savage. Post by photojoe on 07/29/09 at 18:58:00 I feel like I lucked out when I bought my '87. Was away from riding for around 15 years and just wanted a cruiser with ballz. never thought I would be riding a Japanese bike, but after looking at how high the prices were since I'd been away, I decided to leave the HD thing behind. Had no idea what a Savage was but after taking a test ride, I knew right away that this would be the one. PO was asking $1300 for it, but took my offer of $1050. Came with with custom paint, SuperTrapp, mirrors, new cables, brakes, Guardian cover, new tires, an extra front rim and new helmet thrown in. Oil leak was also included. Bike was on Craigslist for weeks with really bad pictures that didn't do it justice. To be honest, I have no idea what's been done inside of the bike, but I can see black sealant in the middle of the cylinder and gray on top, so the PO did work on something in there. Bought it in March 2008 with 12XXX miles and as of today, I'm up to 20,200 miles. It's been running so well that outside of oil changes, battery and a new air filter, I've not had to perform any serious mechanical work on it yet. She runs like a dream. It's one of the best motor vehicle purchases I've ever made. Bought front brake pads which I'll be installing soon. Inside of tank is rusty and bit of paint lift by the gas filler neck, but I'm leaving it alone for now. But yes, shine a flashlight in all of the nooks and crannies, up around the header and top of the cylinder, and, also in the gas tank. The rust will be staring you in the face if it's there. If you can get the owner to allow you to take the seats off, you'll be able to see most of the wiring. Listen for that Cam Chain noise also. Depending on the seller, who can be honest or not, oil leaks can be pretty easy to hide. They could simply clean the oil off and it will not show itself until after being ridden for a while. Well, depending on the severity of the leak of course. I would just ask them about the well documented Savage plug cap leak, or any other oil leaks. What really led me to the decision to buy mine, outside of the price, was the test ride. The low end torque blew me away. |
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Title: Re: Checking out a Savage. Post by justin_o_guy2 on 07/29/09 at 19:26:01 Id come back with the mileage & price & see what the consensus is. The cam chain becomes questionable around 15,000 miles. Some need replaced there, some last a lot longer. Just have to pop the clutch cover & see where the tensioner is. No one seems to really know why. The cost of that maintenance isnt too bad, if you do the work. Its easy enough. Valves need adjusted, too. Its a couple hours if you are slow & anal about everything you touch the first couple of times. It gets a lot quicker after a few times. |
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Title: Re: Checking out a Savage. Post by dinsdale on 07/30/09 at 08:26:26 Hi there guys, I was just about to post the same exact question so I will do an Intro and jump on board. After almost a 20 year motorcycle lull, my GF is buying me a bike for my 40th birthday. I have been looking at used Savages, Late 80's and Early 90's models and have been reading pretty much every thread in the forum for the last several weeks(Up to page 95 in this Section and read most of the Tech Section). I had a CB550 in High school and a Norton 850 Commando in College 20 years ago so I am no stranger to home maintenance and repair. One of the bikes that is tempting me is an '89, the owner claims the bike is solid and in good shape and runs reliably. I am asking for service records, mileage, whether it is currently on the road. Any other questions I should ask before going to see it? I have a picture and it looks to have an oil leak. If compression is good, does that look like the Savage "Plug/Cap" Leak? Asking is $2000 which seems a little high without the leak and I am thinking that if compression is good, maybe CDN$1500 - CDN$1600 is more reasonable assuming the rest is in good shape. i.e. Can pass a safety check. Price tend to be higher up here in Canada so keep that in mind. A new S40 is CDN$6600 up here! What do you guys think? I'll post a pic in a sec, won't let me on 1st post. Edited to add CDN for funds |
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Title: Re: Checking out a Savage. Post by dinsdale on 07/30/09 at 08:26:50 Here is a pic of the bike. http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a388/dsouter/OrangeSavage.jpg |
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Title: Re: Checking out a Savage. Post by EJID on 07/30/09 at 08:35:37 3B36312C3B3E333A5F0 wrote:
A 20 year old bike for $2,000? That sounds really high to me, but not sure what the market for bikes is like in Canada. I just picked up a 2005 for $2,100 in ID, but It needed lots of cosmetic issues but mechanically it appears to be very sound with only 5k on the odometer. Here's a pic of what mine looked like when I brought it home 4 weeks ago: http://p1.bikepics.com/pics/2009/07/13/bikepics-1725193-800.jpg And what it looks like now: http://p1.bikepics.com/pics/2009/07/27/bikepics-1737656-full.jpg I think your $1500-1600 is a much more reasonable range seeing that you can see the paint peeling around the filler neck and aftermarket paint/mirrors I would venture to say it may have been laid down and fixed/repainted... :-? |
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Title: Re: Checking out a Savage. Post by verslagen1 on 07/30/09 at 09:23:47 Dinny Missing tool box cover and tool kit, a number of bolts, corrosion on rear brake hub, looks like the muff and heat shield are scraped. Tank is not dented but paint looks like might be pealing around gas cap. Definite oil leak, could be head plug and oil leak on clutch cover somewhere. Due to corrosion on hub, inspect closely elsewhere. How much do you want to refinish? The head plug leak is expensive to do in a shop. Get an estimate in a shop for a tune up that includes retorquing the head. These are good talking points to reducing the cost. Also mileage, anywhere near 20k could need a timing chain. Not a major issue, but must be taken care of. |
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Title: Re: Checking out a Savage. Post by dinsdale on 07/30/09 at 10:02:04 Thanks guys. EJID: A dealer wants CDN$2900 + taxes (13%) for a 1997 with 40,000 kms on it. I am comfortable with a bike as a project as I can't afford much more than CDN$2000 but want to avoid a complete rebuild as I don't have the shop, time or $$$ for that and want to ride it as well. The Oil Plug fix and Tensioner mods are within my capabilities. I will definitely use them as bargaining points if I take the plunge. Well, my GF will.I tend to be impulsive and emotions driven when buying vehicles. I let my GF do the bargaining and she is a pro at it. She talked a guy down from DN$2800 to CDN$1200 for my 1964 Grew that I fiddle with as well. http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a388/dsouter/Boat/GrewStarboardQuarteronTrailersmall.jpg Here are a couple more pics of the bike from other angles. http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a388/dsouter/OrangeSavage4.jpg http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a388/dsouter/OrangeSavage3.jpg |
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Title: Re: Checking out a Savage. Post by serenity3743 on 07/30/09 at 11:14:44 465542435C5157555E01300 wrote:
With the oil showing up on both sides below the head, I think you will need to install a new head gasket. Still not a huge deal, some dollars, time, and hassle. |
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Title: Re: Checking out a Savage. Post by dinsdale on 07/30/09 at 11:25:06 Here is a reply to an email request for more details. Quote:
Do you have to pull the engine to pull the head for a head gasket? |
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Title: Re: Checking out a Savage. Post by verslagen1 on 07/30/09 at 11:37:34 Yes you have to pull the engine to remove the head, but I bet it's just the head plug. Most of the oil is above the cylinder. When the leak really gets going it leaks when running so both sides get hit. not just the low side. If you pull the head, replace the head gasket. 33000kms = 20000miles do the cam chain for another 20k of no maitenance ridin' |
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Title: Re: Checking out a Savage. Post by PTRider on 07/30/09 at 12:56:43 It is more clear if our friends north of the border write their currency as C$ or CAN$ or CDN$ and write our currency as US$. Presently one Canadian dollar = ninety-two U.S. cents. C$2000 is high, but all markets are local. Shop around many dealers, http://ottawa.en.craigslist.ca/mcy/, and local classified ads and see what else is available for C$2k.. You can check the age of the tires by looking at the DOT markings on the sidewalls. The last four digits are the week and year of manufacture. If they're more than maybe five years old they may be deteriorated and due for replacement even if they still have decent tread. New tires are over US$200. |
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Title: Re: Checking out a Savage. Post by dinsdale on 07/30/09 at 17:13:42 Thanks a lot guys. Will go see it next week some time. I think I can make an informed decision now. Cheers! |
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Title: Re: Checking out a Savage. Post by Tonydtiger1971 on 07/30/09 at 20:57:16 Wow I got a really great deal on an 03 Savage then, 1700 miles on the bike and I got it for $1800. The down side is it was stored outside so some of the bolts have surface rust. It runs like a top though. |
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Title: Re: Checking out a Savage. Post by odvelasc on 07/30/09 at 21:09:23 767B7C6176737E77120 wrote:
too much money. No more than 1200$ for that bike. Mine sells for about that price and it is a 2002 Yikes. That bike looks like its from gatineau lol. |
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Title: Re: Checking out a Savage. Post by dinsdale on 07/31/09 at 12:00:15 LOL! It is in Gatineau and if it comes home with me, a lot will change! Missed out on a 1994 last week for $1200. Sold in a couple hours of listing. |
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Title: Re: Checking out a Savage. Post by whistler2000 on 07/31/09 at 13:38:54 Yeah, too much at $2k. I got a '87 'bout 2months ago for $850 and that was at a bike shop! |
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Title: Re: Checking out a Savage. Post by Seymorerage on 07/31/09 at 19:09:30 The one I was going to look at sold. That is okay there looks like alot better deals out there. As for Craigslist here in Canada Kijiji is alot bigger. Thanks for all the tips some of them are things I wouldn't thought of. |
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Title: Re: Checking out a Savage. Post by dinsdale on 08/01/09 at 18:07:01 Well, I didn't end up going to see that '89. odvelasc and I worked out a deal and I am the proud new owner of his old 2002! It went a lot faster than I had planned but I am ecstatic and very impressed with my new bike! Thanks for all the advice and extra thanks to odvelasc for all the help and the fantastic bike!!!!! |
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Title: Re: Checking out a Savage. Post by Tonydtiger1971 on 08/01/09 at 19:45:04 Congratulations Dinsdale. |
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Title: Re: Checking out a Savage. Post by ralfyguy on 08/02/09 at 07:45:37 706671666D6A777A30343730030 wrote:
With the oil showing up on both sides below the head, I think you will need to install a new head gasket. Still not a huge deal, some dollars, time, and hassle.[/quote] There's a possibility that it is just the nut on the front of the cylinder under the header clamp. This nut is in the middle, so if it leaks there it can spread to both sides. The bike looks like it's been ridden in salt water, with all the corrosion on the aluminum pieces. |
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Title: Re: Checking out a Savage. Post by justin_o_guy2 on 08/02/09 at 08:30:34 Odvelasc has sure spent some time on that thing. I hate to see him give up on it. I think youll have it going well & being dependable in no time. |
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Title: Re: Checking out a Savage. Post by ghstrdr110 on 08/02/09 at 09:38:46 Bought my 96 for 1200 last August. Great shape(other than the airbrushed Tweety bird on the tank) 5127 miles, new bat., new helmet. |
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Title: Re: Checking out a Savage. Post by dinsdale on 08/02/09 at 11:55:41 Some pics odvelasc sent me of my new bike . I'll have to take new ones soon but the weather is foul here. I am very happy with it. http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a388/dsouter/Savage/SavageFront.jpg http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a388/dsouter/Savage/SavageLeft.jpg http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a388/dsouter/Savage/SavageRight.jpg |
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