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Message started by danroot on 09/17/09 at 20:38:06

Title: old bike worth upgrading?
Post by danroot on 09/17/09 at 20:38:06

ok, so i got a 1987 savage with 20-21k miles, the electrics are messed up, theres an oil leak, the speedo stopped working at 19999, aside from the supertrapp i put on its stock.

i recently picked up the mikuni 38mm carb, plus jets, new cam tensioner/chain, new air filter, and at some point i was considering doing the chain conversion.

i dont know exactly how it was taken care of before i got it, ive only put about 2000 miles on it, so i dont know how much life she has in her.

basically what im asking is if its worth the effort to perform all these upgrades on a bike this old. would it be worth my while in the long run to pike up a newer bike with less miles and a 5th gear?

Title: Re: old bike worth upgrading?
Post by boofer on 09/17/09 at 21:05:42

danroot,
You can buy an '01 or newer around here for 1800 to 2200. Mileage around 6k on up. If you want to tinker with this bike and make it your own, all the while spending a good chunk of money, go for it. If you want to just crank and go, get one road ready. BTW, someone on here said 4th gear on old ones is same or close to 5th nowadays.

I once sold a 1969 Cougar to a guy for cheaper than I had in it. 6 mos. later he told me it was the best car he ever had. I told him, "Of course it is. Everything on it is new." I spent a lot on that car and many a cold night warming my hands on a 100watt trouble light bulb trying to keep it running. Crazy? No, just love. Boofer

Title: Re: old bike worth upgrading?
Post by Charon on 09/17/09 at 21:20:07

You probably don't want to hear it, but "upgrades" from stock usually cost you money and time to install, and actually reduce the resale value of the bike. A buyer is quite likely to figure the cost to restore the machine back to stock, and reduce your asking price by that amount in his offer. Not to mention that a lot of mods will raise questions in a buyer's mind about the kind of use - or abuse - those mods might imply.

Title: Re: old bike worth upgrading?
Post by verslagen1 on 09/17/09 at 21:51:07

20k on this bike is nothin' if it was treated right.
Which means someone kept oil in it.

Only thing wrong with the '87 is the starter, don't let it kick back on shut off. leave it gear and let the clutch out as you shut it off. That extra 4th gear is only useful in town going too slow to stay in 5th.

And true, the "upgrades" you're planning won't add a nickle to the resale value. But what will they add to you? That only you can decide.

I got a 20k bike and a 40k bike. both are getting upgrades, rebuilt top ends. at least one is getting performance mods. I'm not a bobber but I will customize them. When I'm though with these bikes, they'll be worn out, I'll broadslide them up to the cliffs edge and kick them over. And go get myself another. 8-)

Title: Re: old bike worth upgrading?
Post by Duane on 09/18/09 at 06:07:41

What kind of impression did you get from your 2K ride?

Don't sweat the 5th gear, it's pointless anyways.

It sounds like you allready have a lot of the stuff you need to get working. What do the tires look like? Did you notice and oil consumption since you had it? If you think it will set you back more than $2K then look for a new one. If not I'd just get the one you have going.

Title: Re: old bike worth upgrading?
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 09/18/09 at 07:19:49

Didnt someone say the final drive on a 4 speed was actually a bit taller than the 5 speeds? Sounds reasonable, since the 4 speeds were built b4 the big "Jet it lean to get it thru inspection" mess..

Title: Re: old bike worth upgrading?
Post by Oldnewguy on 09/18/09 at 07:50:45

On my '96 at 50 mph in fourth gear I'm at 3300 rpm and in 5th gear 3600. Not a biggie!

Title: Re: old bike worth upgrading?
Post by rigidchop on 09/18/09 at 09:03:44

31263726263462560 wrote:

On my '96 at 50 mph in fourth gear I'm at 3300 rpm and in 5th gear 3600. Not a biggie!

i hope you have those numbers reversed :o

Title: Re: old bike worth upgrading?
Post by rigidchop on 09/18/09 at 09:07:17

back to the question at hand, its only worth it if you don't plan on selling it. you will rarely, if ever, get your money back.

Title: Re: old bike worth upgrading?
Post by Oldnewguy on 09/18/09 at 14:26:32

Yep, I did! Old and senile, but still have a leg up!

Title: Re: old bike worth upgrading?
Post by Demin on 09/19/09 at 11:41:54

I got $3,000.00 out of a modified '87
http://p1.bikepics.com/pics/2008/05/23/bikepics-1298492-800.jpg

Title: Re: old bike worth upgrading?
Post by BurnPgh on 09/20/09 at 00:02:01

I think thats Demins way to vote "keep it" .

Title: Re: old bike worth upgrading?
Post by Demin on 09/20/09 at 06:24:57

What can I say.I love my Savage(s).You can never have too many.
;D :-/ 8-)
I rode it for a season,and still made some money from it.
I put it on Craigslist,just for sh*ts,and giggles,and within 2 hours I had a girl from 2 hours away want it.

Title: Re: old bike worth upgrading?
Post by Stimpy on 09/20/09 at 12:53:55

22k miles and is 22 y/o is not bad at all,
these bikes are well built and build out of
really good materials, therefore they renew
favorably and all parts are widely available.
Recheck all electrical and look for and treat
rusted areas. Also it seems that old savages
w/4th gear only are actually faster, I can still
not comprehend why on earth would they
change the gearing ratios for the worse.

...any picks of the bike?

Title: Re: old bike worth upgrading?
Post by danroot on 09/20/09 at 20:46:56

thanks for all the input guys, this is a pic of my bike from last year, theres a few thousand miles of grime on it now, as well as a supertrapp.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a173/twocoloreyes/bike/DSCN1611.jpg

Title: Re: old bike worth upgrading?
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 09/21/09 at 03:10:07

1E3924203D344D0 wrote: