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Message started by cunn1780 on 10/08/09 at 20:55:00

Title: Rat Bike?
Post by cunn1780 on 10/08/09 at 20:55:00

So I just bought my first bike ever: an '87 Savage with 19,000 miles for $1100.

My buddy who got me into riding started on a Savage as well, and just recently sold it and bought a HD sportster 883.

My bike is a beauty: edelbrock red with a lot of character. He suggested that since she's old and seen better days, and I'm a college student with neither the time nor the money to bring her back to her glory days, I keep her running and just rat her out.

Is this a disgrace to all Savage owners out there? I want to use her as my daily workhorse until I have the money to get something real nice, possibly a new S40 if all works well. Let me know your thoughts...

BTW she runs and drives ok, needs the regular maintenance and a new battery, but other than that she just has some "battle scars" and a slow oil leak coming from somewhere about halfway up the left side of the motor.

Thanks!

Title: Re: Rat Bike?
Post by cunn1780 on 10/08/09 at 20:55:43

BTW I have some pics but they are too large a file size to post I guess?

Title: Re: Rat Bike?
Post by Oldfeller on 10/08/09 at 21:09:35

Let's fix your terminology first.

You are not broke, you are the average sort of person on this list.

You plan to make your bike a "bobber" but must ride it during the transformation process.

Yeah, we know how to do this without bleeding a lot of coins.

First, do you have any tools?

(or do you have a Harbor Freight store in your town?)

=============

Pictures, posting

our bucket on this list was filled up years ago, so go somewhere free on the net to host your pics. I think photobucket sucks as they dump your stuff after xx months, I use Hunt101.com because they don't ever dump your stuff as long as it gets accessed periodically.

To post a pic take the actual web address that your site provides for the pic and post it.

Title: Re: Rat Bike?
Post by cunn1780 on 10/08/09 at 21:16:55

I like to think I have a little less than the average amount of tools... a 200 piece toolbox and some various specialty tools.

However, I know enough people here at OU that if I need something I don't have (torches, plasma cutter, almost any tool you can think of) I can acquire it.

I don't claim to be broke, just that I normally divert a large amount of my available funds to beer and pizza, and thus have to "play" on a smaller amount.

Title: Re: Rat Bike?
Post by Oldfeller on 10/08/09 at 21:20:25

You got enough tools, you got enough money. Time between beer and pizza is a variable depending on girlfriends and weather. I remember college, I do. I built an engine in my room (pissed my roommate off some, but it was my desk and the mess didn't get into his areas).

Title: Re: Rat Bike?
Post by Oldfeller on 10/08/09 at 21:24:42

First off, your mileage is high compared to the life span of your cam chain tensioner, has this ever been checked?

Title: Re: Rat Bike?
Post by cunn1780 on 10/08/09 at 21:29:34

http://[IMG]http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv223/cunn1780/Savage.jpg[/img]

Hope that worked...

I agree with you Oldfeller, but I must mention that right now another one of my priorities is my '77 TA I just sunk a few summers worth of paychecks into to get running again as well.

However, my goal in being on this website is to keep my savage as long as possible, either by becoming a rat bike or bringing her back.

I know nothing about the bike, only the year and what the odometer says. First plans were to change the oil, replace battery (have had to charge twice in two days to keep her running) replace spark plug, do some brake work, figure out where the hell my oil leak is coming from.

Any other tune ups/ checks you would recommend would be much appreciated!

Title: Re: Rat Bike?
Post by cunn1780 on 10/08/09 at 21:31:03

Title: Re: Rat Bike?
Post by Serowbot on 10/08/09 at 21:45:23

Like this... Parenthesis on ends equal [] brackets...
(img]http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv223/cunn1780/Savage.jpg[/img)
Welcome,...http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv223/cunn1780/Savage.jpg

Title: Re: Rat Bike?
Post by cunn1780 on 10/08/09 at 21:47:21

darn thats a good lookin bike...

haha jk I see now... newb mistake for sure thanks for the insight serowbot

Title: Re: Rat Bike?
Post by Oldfeller on 10/08/09 at 21:50:21

First, there isn't anything wrong with your bike that some TLC won't fix. As far as what it looks like, yours looks good as-is.

If you change it, it is because you want to.

Wal-Mart has the battery you need, take your old one out and take it with you to match. Don't worry so much about which side the tube comes out of or which side is + or - as we have found the leads can be made long enough to switch and the clear vent tube can run a "U" on top of the battery to go down the correct side. You are talking $35 to get a battery.

Or you can get a sealed BIG CRANK for $65 shipped if you want to go sealed, someone will post the current best place to get it.

Yeah, you can't drop in the last ] symbol or it all disappears as the list reads it for what it really is, HTML coding.

Title: Re: Rat Bike?
Post by Educatedredneck on 10/08/09 at 22:20:37

Sears has a Di Hard AGM Battery that will fit, if you would rather have sealed battery and do not want to mess with adding the acid pack.

Oil Leak - Either the head bolt plug - easy fix or could be the cylinder head gasket - a little harder. Since you have a decent set of tools, and access to the bigger stuff, a walk in the park. Get the Savage CD and a Clymer's manual - PM me with your address, and I'll send you a copy on CD of the manual. The Savage CD you can buy off this site.

Check your cam chain tensioner - if out of spec, fairly easy fix, not sure how much a new cam chain is, and you might as well change the head gasket at the same time, due to the age of your bike.

Due to the age of your bike, I would replace the clutch cover gasket when you do replace the cam chain.

Do you have to do this stuff now, other than the battery, no, however be mindful that due to the mileage of your bike, others have experienced cam tensioner failure or it was at the limit of usefullness, due to the stretch of the cam chain. Just be aware.

With a little TLC, you should get an easy 20,000 more miles out of her.

Welcome aboard, and have fun. And nice color on the bike.

Title: Re: Rat Bike?
Post by Rocco on 10/08/09 at 23:17:35

welcome 2 the site! u will find everything u want and some things u don't lol

as for the rat bike question...i took a mint '95 and tore it to pieces....it is almost 100% visually different then when i got her and i love her alot more because of it. and i did it all in my backyard with spray paint, a hammer, drill and a grinder. she's your bike, no one else can make u happy about it!

and if u like the way she looks then leave her be, if u want a statement then make one. is it a disgrace to the savage to make her look tough....NO! i've laid her down, and trust me she's plenty tough!

below is kinda a before and after process lol

http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs117.snc1/5173_1015057956595_1829467793_33037_3881265_n.jpg

that was her new except for the aftermarket turn signals in the back and bar bag

http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs238.snc1/8524_1048419350609_1829467793_104380_685925_n.jpg

the only thing i've done since the above pic is remove the chrome rails on the back, move rear turn signals and mount my ammo box check it out below

http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs218.snc1/8524_1058043151198_1829467793_122415_4909739_n.jpg

Title: Re: Rat Bike?
Post by babyhog on 10/09/09 at 05:43:25

10333B393A33333A2D5F0 wrote:

Nobody mentioned the vent tube when I was looking for a battery! I found one at AutoZone that was the same size, CCA, terminals were on the correct sides, but the vent tube was on the other side (left instead of right) Mine leaked out the vent tube, I assumed because the bike leans to the left when on kickstand. ??
Anyway, Big Crank batteries have a decent reputation here, so I ordered one. Used their website http://www.bigcrank.com/category/suzuki-l650-savage-all-battery.html but it got shipped from somewhere else. Quick too. So overall, I'm happy with it, although I would have been just as happy if I had found one locally, without having to wait (just 3 days) for it!

I love the Red of your bike, but as Rocco said, its yours and up to you. Enjoy however YOU like!

Oh, one other tidbit on posting pics.... if you click the "Preview" button while you are composing your post, it will show you what it is going to look like, so if something isn't right, you will know before you actually post.

Welcome!

Title: Re: Rat Bike?
Post by Demin on 10/09/09 at 05:52:50

This one is a work in progress.Started out as a mint bike,but a little ice,and a lane divider changed that!So it's slowly goin' bobber.I can set you up with some parts if you want to go bobber.It's all bolt on.
http://p1.bikepics.com/pics/2009/08/08/bikepics-1749163-800.jpg

Title: Re: Rat Bike?
Post by Charon on 10/09/09 at 06:31:15

When I see a "rat bike" I do not see it as a fashion statement or a work of art, but as a machine whose owner cannot be bothered with such things as maintenance and upkeep. In short, a junker.

Title: Re: Rat Bike?
Post by bill67 on 10/09/09 at 07:14:18

The s40 is a nice looking bike theres a lot of people here mess them up I think.

Title: Re: Rat Bike?
Post by sakara on 10/09/09 at 09:03:55

That lookss great for an 87!

**in response to the rat bike knocks**

My rats have performed and ran great, internally quite tight and smooth, it's just the exterior that's beat.
It's a statement to those that prefer to judge a book by it's cover.

Title: Re: Rat Bike?
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 10/09/09 at 12:19:38

I started off babying mine. My wife finally pointed out I was rubbing more than riding. I didnt need to be told twice. Ive started enjoying it, for what it is. Its no longer a showroom clean machine. Little dings here & there, paint rubbed thru where Ive strapped things on, grimy gym bag & a bungee for securing it when its full for a freight hauler, my nappy green pressurized spray bottle to cool me off when its hot, spokes that arent shiny, just no longer "Fresh Looking", but it goes where I want, when I want & thats why I got it. Ill try to keep it from getting junky looking, but Ill keep it on the street for as little $$$ as I can. If that means it aint so pretty, I dont care. It is mine. It doesnt own me or dictate to me how it MUST be taken care of. I keep good oil in it, a clean air filter in it & ride the snot out of it. YEEE HAAA!

Title: Re: Rat Bike?
Post by srinath on 10/09/09 at 13:03:42

Rocco 0 your before and after are mixed up, the before should be the after ... yea you can fix it any time. Yea ...

Cunn1780 I'll give my left arm for that look, easy.
I will leave it as is. And honestly, I did this to one bike but I will leave yours be.
http://picasaweb.google.com/srinath.the.man/SavageChopperBuild#

Ratting out is not a wilful act. Ratting out happens by itself due to negligence, carelessness etc, yours or other peoples.

If it were to get messed up, and you dont fix it cos its working fine, yes that is fine, spending money, effort and time to rat it is counter productive.

Mine came to me with a broken/bent fork a bent wheel, a bent handlebar and a smashed tank and no carb. Sakara's carb went on it, a raked out FE was made and fitted and drag bars and whatever.
I have a good clean dark green rear fender, but nothing else matched and I only got 1 side cover. I hacked it up and did a silver powdercoat on it and fitted silver parts all around on it. Mine was ratted by someone else and I got it for 150 bucks.

Your $1100 beauty will be worth 1100 as is next year, and almost at any point in its life, it will be worth 1000 if its maintained well. AKA, oil, gas, spark plugs, tires, valve adjustments etc. Rat it and the more you rat, the less its worth. Spend 200 on paint, and do flat black, yes, its now worth 700. Spend 300 and paint the motor flat black, its worth 500. So on and so on ...
I'd really ride and maintain and let it be.
Cool.
Srinath.

Title: Re: Rat Bike?
Post by srinath on 10/09/09 at 13:09:10

Like this Idiot -
http://charlotte.craigslist.org/mcy/1386975785.html

He thinks its worth 5G ... problem is, he may have spent 5G on it, and unfortunately he's the only one who htinks its worth 5G, its been on CL all summer.

Here is his brother.

http://charlotte.craigslist.org/mcy/1383100535.html

Yes right 3G for a bike with no seat and goosenecked ??? WTF, that bike is stock @ the neck, maybe he got a goose, cut its neck off and strung it up like a coon tail.

Ratting happens, you dont pay to rat it, in fact you have to be making $ when you're ratting it, cos you're gonna be losing it when you sell it.
Cool.
Srinath.

Title: Re: Rat Bike?
Post by Rocco on 10/09/09 at 13:13:09

if u are like me, and hate when people rub things with diapers instead of ride or drive them, then flat black it and don't worry about it. i don't plan on ever selling my beast so resale is no matter. the sparkly black and blue and purple stock paint wasn't me, so i changed it!

Title: Re: Rat Bike?
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 10/09/09 at 13:29:54

Ratting out is not a wilful act. Ratting out happens by itself due to negligence, carelessness etc, yours or other peoples.

I typed All That above & here THIS guy comes along & sums it right up...
I AM slowly ratting mine out. Not because I want the Rat look, but because I can afford the time or $$$ to keep it pristine. I can have a freight hauling gym bag or drop $$$ on saddle bags..I saved the $$$.
I can spend my time rubbing or riding. Ill ride. I would never just start taking things off & beating the crap out of them to "create" the rat look, just not my bag, thanks.

Now, for folks who just dont DIG New & shiny,, KNock Yo Seffff OUT,, Its yours, make it yours..
YOU own it, It is a reflection of your tastes, your personality. Let it shine , let it shine, let it shine..
Or flat black that Mutha! It IS yours, after all.

Title: Re: Rat Bike?
Post by srinath on 10/09/09 at 13:58:59

Sorry JOG ... but yea I agree. One of the virago Idiots dented his tank to make the side cheeks concave ... I mean I have heard of liposuction for fat lady's asses, but I doubt they suck so much to make their asses concave ... anyway, so he's put in a ton of effort to get a 2.8 gal tank to a 1.5 gal on a bike that barely makes 30 mpg. Bright Idea dumbass. Then of course he did a bunch of other crap and is asking serious $, good luck there cos stock virago's going for 1500-2K in solid shape.

Rocco: That blue is exactly what mine is or was, but the body work has been pulled and saved up, and I ahve slapped the coffee color stuff on it. I love that blue BTW and plan to put it on my long term bike not fritter it away and sell it off. I love your ammo box, and with that on the bike would have looked weird in anythign but black. However I'd ahve swapped the body with someone rather than paint it.

Sportbikes have the "I crashed and forgot to fix it" look that people refer to as "street fightered". I guess "rat" is the cruiser equivalent.

Cool.
Srinath.

Title: Re: Rat Bike?
Post by tcreeley on 10/09/09 at 15:44:55

I like these rat bikes I've seen on this site. I figured a rat bike was a no fix bike that ran well. Directional screw falls out, a little electric tape. Directional lens cracked- some glue and tape, dent in tank -decal maybe. wax-or an oily rag maybe sometime, but mechanically good, though some friends of mine figure that anything more than nothing is too much!
But I'm really enjoying these rat bike.

Title: Re: Rat Bike?
Post by Demin on 10/09/09 at 15:58:51

Most people are uneducated about rats.They ARE maintained.People put the money into high performance/running and don't worry what it looks like.Look at all the gassers from the sixties.MOST not nice to look at,but fast as hell!

Title: Re: Rat Bike?
Post by Yonuh Adisi on 10/09/09 at 16:05:25

5442595906000F07370 wrote:

BTW I have some pics but they are too large a file size to post I guess?

This is how you post pics on this site.
http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1240899665

Since everyone is posting pics of their bikes, let me post a before and present pic of mine.

Before:
http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/7/l_75b5160079f0a3f4421bb1ad9aa13974.jpg

Present:
http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/79/l_d81140c5ad3a46e2a2e7a66f8920647d.jpg

I still ain't done with it obviously. At the moment it looks like a rat/chopper, but once I get the finances straightened out again, it will look much better.

Title: Re: Rat Bike?
Post by Oldfeller on 10/10/09 at 04:06:59

You got modders and you got leave it alone folks. I've been both, so I can sympathize either way.

Key thing is to fix what is wrong with your bike -- and right now that is a battery.

Yes, with an acid type battery you have to have the clear plastic tube connected to dump your excess gas and bubbles of acid down to the pavement in a safe fashion. This is not an issue even with a "backwards" battery as the tube they give you is more than long enough to loop over the top of the battery and then go down the correct side.

Whoever posted that acid would leak from the battery because the bike leans on the side stand was in error. Each cell tilts separately and the liquid level does tilt inside the cell, but the centrally located overflow vent to each cell does not see any fluid that is tall enough to exit the individual baffle area that is on top of each cell.

Heck, if "battery leaking out" was true whenever you laid your bike down temporarily on its side you'd have a heck of a mess. The baffling in the top of the battery prevents this from happening too.

Still, if you have a vented liquid acid battery please do hook up the clear vent tube and route it over the top of the battery into the pathway that is built into the battery box.

Title: Re: Rat Bike?
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 10/10/09 at 09:36:45

Are the fumes from a battery corrosive? Or is it just hydrogen?

Title: Re: Rat Bike?
Post by Oldfeller on 10/10/09 at 09:49:26

The base gas is hydrogen, but it bubbles up from a bath of sulfuric/nitric acid and is birthing off of copper and lead plates that have been turned into other nasty corrosive types of metal sulfides by the battery action.

If a human fart is "just gas" but stinks horribly, just think of what a battery fart could do as far as being corrosive.

Plus, they are sorta "juicy" farts to boot, with little bubbles of liquid acid intermixed with the gas as it runs down the clear tube to blatt out on to the pavement.

That's why the clear tube is cut a little long, to dangle below the undercarriage of the bike. You don't want any splash from the tip of the drip tube to get on your bike. Rubber (as in tires) is pretty much immune to acid, but the steel in your spokes and rims are not immune.

Title: Re: Rat Bike?
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 10/10/09 at 15:14:03

f a human fart is "just gas" but stinks horribly, just think of what a battery fart could do as far as being corrosive.

Plus, they are sorta "juicy" farts to boot, with little bubbles of liquid acid intermixed with the gas as it runs down the clear tube to blatt out on to the pavement.

AWW Hayull! Best laff Ive had in a few days, Great Answer, thanks..

Okay, theres WHY you gotta have that vent tube. Dont want the farts collecting up around the cables & other parts.
Acidic Farts wreck parts,,
Be Careful.

Title: Re: Rat Bike?
Post by Rocco on 10/11/09 at 06:18:03

u don't want juicy farts on your rubber!! got it!! LOL!!!!

man, life gets easier by the day ;D