SuzukiSavage.com - Print Page

SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl
General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> "projecting" a savage bobber / racer - need advice
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1310654629

Message started by Willbury on 07/14/11 at 07:43:49

Title: "projecting" a savage bobber / racer - need advice
Post by Willbury on 07/14/11 at 07:43:49

Ok all the die hard suzuki owners,..... I just learned of the suzuki savage about a week ago. I've owned two scooters; a kaw vulcan, and now I am on a HD softail (chopped) - I miss my Kaw. My wife now wants a ride, she has leaned towards the old skool honda cb's but I am reluctant because I feel that we are going to have another engine project on our hands, just as with the HD. During a stop on last sunday's ride a friend mentioned the savage, he said it was a single cyl air cooled, good frame to make a little cafe racer of sorts as my plans.

I've checked out the scoot online and I like it. Reminds me alot of my old kaw. What I need help on is ensuring that I dont get stuck with something other than what I admire from what I've seen. My first question is; do all savages / ls650's / s40's come on the same frame and has it always been the same type frame? I've admired the short swing arm mount (just below the seat) and the flat back bone of the savage - all good for a racer build. I need to know if in any particular year or model did they use a different frame prototype?

I also need help on learning about the quirks of these scoots once you start taking stuff off - electronically. Has anyone ran into crazy stuff when you start riping things out? If one were to scrap it all and leave with kill switch, starter wire, coil, and head light (like you can with an old HD) does this lead to any beat your head against the wall issues?

Thanks folks - looking forward to hearing back from you guys. I am really looking forward to using some metric wrenches. My standards area worn out from old leaky HD. Ive got a good feeling that once we get this build going for my wife, I will have scratched the HD MOCO itch for good and never go back.

Title: Re: "projecting" a savage bobber / racer
Post by CalisOsin on 07/14/11 at 08:01:37

First of all, welcome!

If you look around on here I'm sure you'll get plenty of ideas(if you're looking for a cafe racer search "Ryca" for TONS of info)

There are also wiring diagrams for guys that have stripped out all the non-essentials. (I think you can search "bobber wiring diagram")

Someone more knowledgeable than I will come along, but I think every year has the same frame. At some point (pre-90's) they went from 4 speed to 5, but the rest of the changes were cosmetic.

Good luck, have fun, and post pictures when you get started!

Title: Re: "projecting" a savage bobber / racer - need ad
Post by verslagen1 on 07/14/11 at 08:31:26

you need to keep the cdi for sure.

search bobber wiring
also in the link below, look thru the buying guide
since you're a wrench, don't be a fraid of oil leaks, most are an easy fix.
Most important issue with all years is the cam chain. interference engine... kerpow... need I say more?
Next with pre 90 bikes is the starter, see buying guide.

Title: Re: "projecting" a savage bobber / racer - need ad
Post by spacepirates on 07/14/11 at 09:52:34

The frame *has* changed, albeit very little.

Another member here, BurnPGH, noticed that his savage and my '02 savages' frame differ a little under the tank. His has an asymmetrical joint where the neck splits in two, mine is symmetrical. Doesn't change how anything mounts or works.

Other than that, the bike has remained largely the same since it was born in '86. Older savages are a 4-speed, electronics/controls have changed a bit through the years, the S40 added different turn signals and handlebars...

can't think of any bad electrical quirks. I've had a moisture induced short which killed my turn signals (but nothing else) after the bike sat in a downpour. I also know you can switch to a mini battery (and tuck it neatly under the swingarm if that is your thing). People have also removed the electronic decomp solenoid in favor of a manual method.

Title: Re: "projecting" a savage bobber / racer
Post by BurnPgh on 07/14/11 at 14:54:33

yup...asymmetrical. Im afraid mine might be the only one. I feel like it was a factory f-up not intended. Assuming that...yea...the frames are all the same, every body peice from one year will fit any other year to the best of my knowledge. Same with all top end bits if i recall correctly. As far as getting rid of stuff....get rid of as much as you can. In stock form, to do just about anything, you have to remove/move/do/undo 3 other things first just to get to whatever.

Quirks - http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1099227295 Head plug leak
- http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1267299409 Jetting. Stock setup is usually lean unless you live in way up in the hills.
- http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1180206459/0 Cam chain tensioner issue. If you have over 10k mi I'd saying checking it is a must. Verslagen modifies the tensioners with great results.
- http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1268804471
http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1113631600
http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1251932429 Petcock issues. You can also replace it with a yamaha raptor 660 petcock. Direct bolt on. works great.
- http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1119775997 Clymer's manual errors
- http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1268452150 Results of low oil pressure
- http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1288911670 Starter gear issue with pre-90's
- http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1297125918 Just to make life a little easier.