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SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl General Category >> The Cafe >> New Rider Questions /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1337484318 Message started by Kyle on 05/19/12 at 20:25:18 |
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Title: New Rider Questions Post by Kyle on 05/19/12 at 20:25:18 I'm a beginning rider and just brought home a 2001 Savage with 11,000 miles that was a friend of my cousins who had the bike as a starter bike. It had been sitting for about a year so the first thing I did was have the oil, filter, spark plug, and front brake pads replaced. Before that I hadn't ridden the bike much. Now that I actually own it and am licensed to ride I'm concerned about a few things. My biggest concern is the backfiring. It's bad, at least I think so. From what I read here before buying the 'Zuk I knew it would backfire but I had no idea it would be on every stop and almost every shift. Is this constant backfiring normal? Should I be concerned? Other than that the bike seems to run great, idle is awesome, bike warms up quickly without much choke, no lurching. I've read about the spring mod, idle screw adjusting, Dynojet kit and an all around re-jet, and how they might help. Is it worth any of these mods or others? I basically have no mechanical skills, so if any mods are needed how easily can they be done by someone with no knowledge of how a carburetor works? |
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Title: Re: New Rider Questions Post by justin_o_guy2 on 05/19/12 at 21:34:57 I basically have no mechanical skills, so if any mods are needed how easily can they be done by someone with no knowledge of how a carburetor works? Everyone needs to know how stuff works & how to fix things & in order to do that, ya Gotta get some tools. You now own a rolling laboratory, one in which you will conduct mechanical experiments under the guidance of others who have been there & can guide you.. You Will survive & your bike will get better & better, Yea,, you can do this,, & you wont be paying some guy $65.00 an hour, YOu can buy a bunch of tools for that kinda $$$,, Enough to keep it outta the shop for a while,, |
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Title: Re: New Rider Questions Post by Serowbot on 05/19/12 at 22:11:56 With no mechanical skills... there is a decision to be made here... Do you want to get some?... This requires buying some basic tools, getting greasy, sweating, and some serious cussing... ...if that sounds fun... you're halfway home... If it don't,... Concentrate on riding skills... You say the bike is performing and running pretty well... You can, with experience, and some analytical thought, learn to reduce and control much of the pops and backfires by learning to work the throttle and clutch... Ride a while, and play around with these, and you may get a feeling for it... Don't chop the throttle off,... use more front brake to slow, with less downshift...etc... ...and,.. first mechanical tip... check the two bolts that attach the exhaust pipe to the head... they tend to loosen, and if they allow air to leak... backfires will abound... Don't be a brute, and strip them (using a ratchet,...they should take a little more than just finger strength to tighten... wrist, but no elbow).... but, make sure they are tight... Welcome to Savage world... ;)... |
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Title: Re: New Rider Questions Post by justin_o_guy2 on 05/20/12 at 02:51:39 ..and,.. first mechanical tip... check the two bolts that attach the exhaust pipe to the head... they tend to loosen, and if they allow air to leak... backfires will abound... Don't be a brute, and strip them (using a ratchet,...they should take a little more than just finger strength to tighten... wrist, but no elbow).... but, make sure they are tight... & only do that when its cold, I never wanted to mess with one that was hot, but this isnt for safety or comfort, its to keep from tightening a hot ( longer) bolt that will shrink & pull threads when it cools, |
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Title: Re: New Rider Questions Post by EJID on 05/20/12 at 12:17:26 Take any mods to the carb slow and methodical...don't want to move anything too far and make things worse by missing that SWEET SPOT ;D And update your profile to include your location, just might have another member nearby that would be willing to lend a hand 8-) |
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Title: Re: New Rider Questions Post by Kyle on 05/20/12 at 14:24:22 Thanks for the advice and words of encouragement! I checked the exhaust flange bolts to the engine and found one of them so loose I'm surprised it was still on! Tightened it up, hit the road, and hardly any more backfiring! A quick and easy fix and saves me the hassle of trying to figure out the carb... at least until I've read up some more about how to do it properly. Thanks again guys! |
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Title: Re: New Rider Questions Post by Serowbot on 05/20/12 at 14:54:16 Darn!... I made that fix, too easy... I should have sent him around checkin' some this n' that's first...:-?... |
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Title: Re: New Rider Questions Post by Kyle on 05/20/12 at 15:41:34 Are there any other known little issues like that I should be looking for? |
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Title: Re: New Rider Questions Post by Wake51 on 05/20/12 at 23:17:44 Quote:
Might want to take a quick look at your blinker fluid while your at it! |
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Title: Re: New Rider Questions Post by justin_o_guy2 on 05/20/12 at 23:26:09 BLast you Rowboat.. |
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Title: Re: New Rider Questions Post by Jerry Eichenberger on 05/21/12 at 11:02:36 Kyle - Don't feel bad about any lack of mechanical skills. While I have a good idea of how stuff works, and why, I have absolutely no desire to do my own maint. I have little patience, less tolerance, and no desire. $100 at a competent shop is a small price for me to pay to allow me to enjoy my S40 by riding it; not working on it. |
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Title: Re: New Rider Questions Post by RidgeRunner13 on 05/21/12 at 11:23:53 68676B616A676C606770656770020 wrote:
The problem, sir, is FINDING a competent shop. I've been a mechanic 45 years, ASE certified master auto tech in business for myself 26 years. I've always done the work on my bikes & many of my friends. If you find a good mechanic you better treasure the experience cause it don't happen often. :o You need to at least know enough about your bike to know when they are outright lieing to you. I've caught 3 dealerships in lies in the last year. If they're not lieing then they're totally INcompetent. >:( |
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Title: Re: New Rider Questions Post by Jerry Eichenberger on 05/21/12 at 11:31:06 Ridge - I do have enough mechanical knowledge to have a really good BS meter. I certainly don't have your knowledge or credentials. The point of my post was simply that one doesn't have to apologize for little knowledge or desire to do his own maint. I've been a pilot for 45 years, and I'm not an aircraft mechanic, as most pilots aren't. But that lack doesn't disqualify me from flying airplanes. Neither should a similar lack of motorcycle maint. skills disqualify one from riding. That was all I was saying. |
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Title: Re: New Rider Questions Post by Savage_Rob on 05/21/12 at 15:37:26 For basic carb theory, there are some Carb 101 links (not the Wheat Belly stuff either) that are very educational, along with quite a few other How To's listed in the Tech Ref forum. There's even a table of contents of the most likely needed stuff. There are also some serious sets of experience assembled in many of the members on this site. Hey, I'm just the average guy that can handle tools and learn from others and I honestly believe that over 95% of any knowledge I'd need to maintain this bike is already on this site somewhere... It's just a matter of searching it out and reading. The other 5% is likely only a post away (with maybe a few days for answers to be posted). You could not be in a better place if you own an LS650. |
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Title: Re: New Rider Questions Post by Savage_Rob on 05/21/12 at 15:55:01 And on the subject of doing my the maintenance yourself, and speaking only of my personal experience, I like to do at least general maintenance myself for several reasons. Here are a few that come to mind...
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Title: Re: New Rider Questions Post by SALB on 05/21/12 at 16:07:47 Just do what your comfortable with. With time, you'll gain confidence, and begin doing more and more. As far as known problems, at 11,000 miles, it's time to check the timing chain tensioner. Information can be found in the tech section. Also, after setting a year, a couple of ounces of Seafoam in the fuel tank couldn't hurt. Most important, just get out and enjoy the ride. ;) |
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Title: Re: New Rider Questions Post by arteacher on 05/21/12 at 17:18:42 I learned wrenching, and bodywork (I don't quite have the nerve to call it mechanics yet) due to necessity ie lack of funds and really needy vehicles. Lots and lots of trips to the wreckers, skinned knuckles and "colourful euphemisms" (I found that stubborn bolts loosen with *&?%$*&%$"/*&?%$/"*&%$/"!) When ever I work on vehicles mothers take their kids indoors. And then your done, and it works, and you are sitting back looking at it, all sweaty, greasy, bleeding from small cuts and skins, with a beer in your hand, and you feel great! I DID THAT! 8-) Oh... and you will quickly learn that the Japanese have smaller hands than we do. ;D |
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Title: Re: New Rider Questions Post by Kyle on 05/22/12 at 06:54:56 I do have some basic wrenching skills. Minor projects don't intimidate me, it's the larger, or more delicate, things like the carb that do. It's great to know there's tons of support and guidance here! It's great to be a part of the forum. When things slow down for me and I get some more cash to play with hopefully I can start customizing my bike and make it my own. My plan is to make a sort of sport-bobber, kind of an old school street fighter. We'll see what I can do to make this a reality though. Thanks again guys! |
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Title: Re: New Rider Questions Post by WD on 05/24/12 at 19:30:24 Don't be afraid to get into it. Worst case, you have to replace a few parts. I've had over 100 bikes from 1915-2005 model years. I frankly loathe working on late models. Late model to me means it has overhead valves... Savages are pretty simple. J.A. Pan Inc took a 1950s British motorcycle, added a starter and alternator, replaced rock solid reliable points with a magic black box, took away the rock solid reliable kick starter and called it good. And for the most part it is a good bike. Every major flaw or common maintenance item is in the tech section. Most of it is simple to handle. Oh, things I WON'T wrench on for myself: tire changing, engine rebuilding, frame welding. I know my limitations. |
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Title: Re: New Rider Questions Post by justin_o_guy2 on 05/24/12 at 21:45:21 WD said Oh, things I WON'T wrench on for myself: tire changing, engine rebuilding, frame welding. I know my limitations. tire changing At $30.00 a pop, I would, if I was gonna keep riding. Ive done both ends, the rear is demon, I gave blood when a tire iron I had held got away & hit between the eyes,,But I have a HF tire changing stand,, I will sell when the bike goes, |
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Title: Re: New Rider Questions Post by WD on 05/25/12 at 15:12:57 Permanent physical restrictions due to a deteriorated lumbar spine. I can dismount a BIG truck tire (11R22.5) in a couple minutes. Dismounting a motorcycle tire via spoons and levers? Forget it, not happening. I'm technically not supposed to have been on a bike ever again since 2/2002... I've only put around 70K miles on post-op (started riding again in 2005). ;D I used to put on more miles than that in a year. I miss having 5-20 street bikes at the same time. |
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Title: Re: New Rider Questions Post by Jon on 05/26/12 at 15:21:09 After being on a few motorcycle forums, it's refreshing to see guys talk about riding their bikes more than fixing them. I guess that means these bikes are pretty reliable, huh? |
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Title: Re: New Rider Questions Post by rl153 on 05/27/12 at 12:13:22 Serowbot, I checked the bolts on my exhaust after reading your tip ,and they were loose . Thanks! |
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Title: Re: New Rider Questions Post by AlphaBarney on 05/27/12 at 15:40:51 75475047414379744944260 wrote:
+1 Actually, one of my favorite things about this bike is that it was simple for me to learn how to maintain without dropping a lot of money. Of course this site helped more than anything else, these guys and gals are amazing and are always willing to help you out of whatever you get yourself into. |
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