SuzukiSavage.com - Print Page

SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl
General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Updates/help
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1270615431

Message started by groupus on 04/06/10 at 21:43:50

Title: Updates/help
Post by groupus on 04/06/10 at 21:43:50

So i finally got around to dumping some serious coin on the savage and now i have something to show for it.
Whitewall tires: Front Avon, rear Dunlop 150/90-15 (it is really massive!). $350 all said and done for the pair with shipping and mounting.
http://p1.bikepics.com/pics/2010%5C04%5C06%5Cbikepics-1945430-800.jpg
got them from a seller on ebay who had the front paired with a harley rear. i called and got him to make me a set (the Avon is probably the last in the continental USA).

Cone air filter. $10 cheapo from ebay. its size 60mm instead of 57mm, but fits just fine and saved me $20.
http://p1.bikepics.com/pics/2010%5C04%5C06%5Cbikepics-1945432-800.jpg

i also removed the chrome head cover - more pics will come

However, I need some help with carb tuning now: i was running it all stock but put in something like a 150 main when i put the low restriction harley pipe on. i tried tuning the adjustment screw again after putting on the cone, but it didn't seem to change it much. also, there seems to be some lag when just starting to roll on the throttle.
there is a slight exhaust leak between the header and muffler. it has always detonated on shut-down. it is backfiring a lot on deceleration now.

someone please give me some sound advice. i looked at the carb jetting guides and i think i need a 50-ish pilot and maybe some spacer mod???? i don't really want to lose my 60mpg, but it needs to run right (aka no lag and less backfire). Help!

Title: Re: Updates/help
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 04/06/10 at 22:42:49

IDK how experienced yhou are with that air mix adjustment, but, it needs to be done very slowly. I rode around w/ a small screwdriver in my pocket & played with it at stop lights till I got it like I wanted it.

Title: Re: Updates/help
Post by Tiefighterpilot on 04/06/10 at 23:26:04

the fuel/air adjustment is done via the brass screw on the carb right? on right side oh bike, toward the front?

Title: Re: Updates/help
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 04/06/10 at 23:42:45

Yea, each twist of the screw needs to be just , well, I did about 1/8th turn at a time, then drove it.

Title: Re: Updates/help
Post by Educatedredneck on 04/06/10 at 23:58:25

With that cone filter and your exhaust, you may want to go to a bigger jet from a 150 to a 152.5 if you can't get the air screw adjustment right. Check your spark plug to see if you are running lean before upping the jet thou.

Lancer, your input would be needed here my friend. :)

Very nice bike, and I like the white walls. I'm running a 150/80-15 rear myself. The bigger tire just belongs on the Savage. :) I'm not running white walls thou....

Title: Re: Updates/help
Post by jef.savage on 04/07/10 at 02:16:27

Beautiful!

Title: Re: Updates/help
Post by groupus on 04/07/10 at 06:39:10

Thanks for the compliments. the rear tire just barely clears the front of the swing arm but its almost a perfect fit.

i had adjusted the carb screw before the air filter and i could notice a difference with about 1/4 turn increments. trying that now, i can't hardly notice a difference unless it is in or out pretty far...

Top end where the main kicks in seems to be fine, im just worried about the lag when i start roll on the throttle and not burning anything up.

its it possible that i could safely run it with stock pilot and needle and the screw about 2 1/2 turns out?

Title: Re: Updates/help
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 04/07/10 at 06:43:26

i can't hardly notice a difference unless it is in or out pretty far...

If you can count the turns between where it starts to impact the way it runs as you screw in & as you screw out, then put it in the middle, maybe that would be a good spot?

Title: Re: Updates/help
Post by dasch on 04/07/10 at 06:44:47

Great! Just great. I just bought a 160/80 Bridgestone rear and 90/90 Avon front. It should look something like that, at least I hope it would.

The fender, is this a modified stock, or you made this??

Title: Re: Updates/help
Post by Amos on 04/07/10 at 15:14:35

Did you put that 150/90 on the stock narrow rim? Do you notice any difference in the way the bike handles?

What seat is that?

Mine is apart in the middle of my living room in preparation for a new fender and seat. I have been considering the 150/90 tire but thought I would have to find a 3.5" rim to lace on there to make it work.

Title: Re: Updates/help
Post by groupus on 04/07/10 at 19:55:00

lets see... fender is made from a trailer fender, hence "trailer trash" name, seat is stock savage seat, rear rim is stock too. most of my bobber build is documented here: http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1248802832/0

i think it handles well with the new tires, but that could just be that they have some actual tread now. one unintentional consequence of the bigger tire is that the rear sits much higher. i am more leaned forward, the seat is height is higher, and the change in the angle pretty much negated raising front of the seat which makes it a little uncomfortable :-/.

dasch, I don't know what a 160 would do, but that would be massive. i already had to adjust the rear axle back pretty far to clear the front of the swingarm. however, your profile is 80% of the 160mm width (128mm) instead of 90% of 150mm (135mm), so that'll probably be fine. of course you'll need to do something to fit that fat boy under a stock fender.

anyway, about the carb - is adjusted 2 1/2 turns out and seems to be ok, although popping a lot more than i like.

Title: Re: Updates/help
Post by cursal on 04/09/10 at 08:07:19

Nice looking ride! Cool mods as well 8-)

Title: Re: Updates/help
Post by kk lewi on 04/09/10 at 19:00:09

did you do the muffler black yourself? I've tried several times high heat (VHT Flame proof Header 1300-2000°F paint) with and without zinc chromate first and it has always chipped away at the header/muffler connection.

What did you use?

Title: Re: Updates/help
Post by groupus on 04/11/10 at 15:48:25

KK, The muffler is painted with that same VHT paint. i bought the muffler black already but had to redo it after it got scratched. It does chip easily, but are you curing it right?

more updates: took the bike out on rt 30 and noticed that its was wheezing at high speeds. picked up a 153.8 main jet (wtf size is that??) and now it takes off like a shot in the high end ;D.
Also, the fender bolts were rubbing the tire when i would hit bumps and doing terrible things to my new tread :'(
http://p1.bikepics.com/pics/2010%5C04%5C11%5Cbikepics-1949232-800.jpg

so i switched back to the stock fender, sans siderails. i like the look and its a little more versitile
http://p1.bikepics.com/pics/2010%5C04%5C11%5Cbikepics-1949234-800.jpg
http://p1.bikepics.com/pics/2010%5C04%5C11%5Cbikepics-1949233-800.jpg

Title: Re: Updates/help
Post by JohnBoy on 04/11/10 at 20:12:40

Great looking ride!
So...which state is missing a zero mile marker? :)

Title: Re: Updates/help
Post by RTC on 04/11/10 at 20:39:14

ahh so that's why you offered me a rear fender ;D
i have a stock tire and don't plan on going that big so it should be fine for me ...right?

Title: Re: Updates/help
Post by groupus on 04/12/10 at 21:14:57

picked up the mile zero sticker at the end of rt 1 in key west. a great trip even though i was not on the bike, but i wished i had it there...

so i'm selling my bobber fender to RTC, but i'm considering making more using that as a template. is there anyone else who might want one?

Title: Re: Updates/help
Post by Scott_H on 04/13/10 at 07:32:36

475045504D5752220 wrote:

As you already know, I'd like one. ;)

Title: Re: Updates/help
Post by Duane on 04/14/10 at 16:29:10

you going to put the back pegs back on now?

Title: Re: Updates/help
Post by groupus on 04/17/10 at 12:57:38

i wasn't going to put the back pegs on because i had no intention of taking on riders again, but it seems that once the seat was on, i had no shortage of potential passengers. I took my friend for a ride thursday and she had to put her legs up on top of mine - not a particularly comfortable situation for either of us. I'll probably put them on soon enough, although getting the bolts on will be a pain. maybe i'll black them out to be less noticeable...

Title: Re: Updates/help
Post by kk lewi on 04/17/10 at 16:49:31

554257425F4540300 wrote:

KK, The muffler is painted with that same VHT paint. i bought the muffler black already but had to redo it after it got scratched. It does chip easily, but are you curing it right?

Cured it but apparently I am doing something wrong. Yours looks fantastic!

Title: Re: Updates/help
Post by groupus on 04/18/10 at 17:13:18

i have repainted the muffler probably 3 times because it got scratched or rubbed by pavement or saddle bags (or my dumba$$ friend grinding his boots on it >:( ). The last time i think i took it down to bare metal. sanding is key to any painting operation to give it a rough surface to stick to. The VHT company also recommends using their high temp primer - might be worth a shot.

Title: Re: Updates/help
Post by groupus on 04/26/10 at 20:57:03

so i finally got around to fiddling with the carb again... it now has 52.5 pilot, 1/2 spacer, 153.8 main, screw 2.75 turns out. the problem is it still acts like it wants to stall out when i go to take off.

bigger pilot i guess?

the other variable to consider is that the larger rear tire has changed the "gearing", but i wouldn't think it would make that big of a difference.

any suggestions, i miss my torque.

Title: Re: Updates/help
Post by RTC on 04/26/10 at 21:24:39

mine is pretty weak in the 0-1/8 throttle range. i know i need to rejet becasue of my high altitude and my dyna muffler but havent got around to it yet. mine doesnt really try and stall it just doesnt do much. the way i cure this is i let the clutch out slowly until i get to 1/8 so i end up picking up speed pretty quick. i know tis is not the right answer but i enjoy it and it works :D

Title: Re: Updates/help
Post by verslagen1 on 04/26/10 at 22:19:31

I got a 16" wheel and just about the biggest tire the swingarm will allow... I haven't got any issue with stalling out.

Is it only the low end or pretty weak through out?

Title: Re: Updates/help
Post by groupus on 04/27/10 at 18:37:28

took it out for a test drive tonight: it still has a little bit of a weak spot right when i go to take off, but its not unreasonable. the mid-range is real happy sounding now, so that white spacer trick was a good idea. However, the higher throttle range doesn't sound that great. power seems to be consistent, but somewhere over maybe 3/4 throttle its not so smooth. the best way to describe it is it goes from "purring" to "banging" - though not actually banging, that would be bad. clumsy sounding? i need better adjectives... :-/

no i dea what the top speed is either because i must have pulled the speedo cable out when playing with the carb ($h!t) >:(

Title: Re: Updates/help
Post by verslagen1 on 04/27/10 at 18:45:30

I'd concider the next higher main, maybe even a 160 and put back the white spacer to stock. might fix the high and the low at the same time.

Title: Re: Updates/help
Post by groupus on 04/28/10 at 18:20:44

higher main is a must, but 160 :o?! i was just gonna get a 155 and a 52.5 with bleed holes...

also, why put the spacer back to stock when going 1/2 spacer improved midrange? just curious to the reasoning.

ps. i've been trying to keep track of these changes, so i'll post my own tuning guide soon. just have to fix the speedo so i can keep track of mpg and top speed.

Title: Re: Updates/help
Post by verslagen1 on 04/28/10 at 18:36:20

3D2A3F2A372D28580 wrote:

also, why put the spacer back to stock when going 1/2 spacer improved midrange? just curious to the reasoning.

I think you got the mid-range right, but if you add to the main you add to everything.

Title: Re: Updates/help
Post by groupus on 05/03/10 at 19:39:56

right, ok. so i went on a long ride this weekend from Lancaster to Pittsburg, PA, and all i have to say is... WTF!?! >:(

consistently 35 mpg; 75 mph max - thats only about 65 miles per tank. not good on a 400+ mile trip. i went up to a 157.5 main to go with the 1/2 spacer and cone filter before leaving. i also changed the jets around a couple of times when i stopped between 150, 153.8, and 157.5 (i can do it real fast now), but nothing made any definitive or noticeable difference. I'm seriously considering going back to the stock air filter OR plugging up the cone a bit. performance was fine before, i need the mpg more. used to get 60 mpg; 90 mph max.

i like the look sans airbox but this is ridiculous. any ideas?