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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Back in the saddle again
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Message started by dougb on 09/25/12 at 13:51:36

Title: Back in the saddle again
Post by dougb on 09/25/12 at 13:51:36

I'm a newbie and would like to say hello to all. I'm impressed with what I've seen in this forum. I last owned a bike in 1982(modified XT500), and purchased a brand new 2011 S40($3,999) on 8-21-12. I was surprised at how poorly it seemed to run when I first started it up at the dealership. Also surprising was the lack of spacing between 4th and 5th gear. I've already removed the brass plug and opened up the mixture screw. I will be making other carb changes(pilot, main, spacer), a better muffler, and Amsoil. It sure is fun to be riding again after a 30-year hiatus. I do have questions. Does the head really need to be retorqued ? Will a Clymer manual 1986-2007 work for my 2011 for everything ? Is it worth getting a Suzuki manual, as well ? [smiley=beer.gif]

Title: Re: Back in the saddle again
Post by CalisOsin on 09/25/12 at 13:56:18

Clymers should be the same, just make sure you know about the errors.

http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?board=tech;action=display;num=1119775997

I've never needed the Suzuki manual myself, but maybe someone who has it would be better qualified to answer that.

Title: Re: Back in the saddle again
Post by J C Stokes on 09/25/12 at 15:10:46

If you brought it new you could be risking your factory warranty by making unauthorised modifications to the fuel/emission system. If you were able to remove the brass plug without damaging it, you should consider putting it back. If you had to damage it to get it out, see if you can dummy up an authentic looking one. I would also leave rejetting alone until you are out of warranty. They are basically a cheap bike and a sixth gear would only up the cost. $3999 US sounds very reasonable compared to what you pay in my country.

Title: Re: Back in the saddle again
Post by Borracho on 09/25/12 at 15:57:04

Congrats on the new bike! Ride safe.

Title: put the brass plug back ?
Post by dougb on 09/25/12 at 16:23:35

I put a screw in it and pulled it out with pliers(it's toast). The mixture screw was about 1.65 turns out CC. I gave it another 1/2 turn out - idle went up, twisting the throttle back resulted in a cleaner rev, and it added a little overall power(turning more out CC didn"t seem to help). It also reduced backfiring to a minimum(not as lean- still needs a little more). The only negative appears to be mileage(lost what seems to be 6-7 mpg). I'm not sure how your bike arrived to you(new from the factory or otherwise), but here in Kennewick,WA, this bike needed opening up to just run closer to normal. :question

Title: Re: Back in the saddle again
Post by ZAR on 09/25/12 at 16:41:01

Welcome Doug! From another old scooter tramp that came back to the fold later in life........rock-on brother!

Title: Re: Back in the saddle again
Post by tizzyfit on 09/25/12 at 17:18:57

061D0E5C0 wrote:

Welcome Doug! .rock-on brother!

Title: Re: Back in the saddle again
Post by ToesNose on 09/25/12 at 19:12:06

Welcome to the community, feels good to have two wheels between your legs again doesn't it? ;)

Title: Great site
Post by dougb on 09/25/12 at 19:18:35

I hope I didn"t appear rude-not my intent things that I mentioned(screw-pull out brass plug-adjust mixture screw main/pilot/spacer muffler oil with enough ZDDP I got from this site I worked at an engine shop from 1987-92 haven't turned many wrenches in 2 decades I'm ready again some of the posts I've read are great there seems to be many ingenious minds at work Verslagen 1 - Oldfeller - LANCER - Sluggo(fellow Eastern- Washingtonian) to name a few I also want to get the Verslagen modified tensioner unit I have 1100 miles on the bike and am looking forward to thousands more

Title: Re: Back in the saddle again
Post by Todd James on 09/25/12 at 19:57:49

Welcome to the forum, Doug.
You'll find a wealth of information here
shared by a lot of great people !

Title: Re: Back in the saddle again
Post by Dave Sisk on 09/25/12 at 21:09:36

Awesome for you, dude! Great group of folks here, and great little bikes!

Title: Re: Back in the saddle again
Post by RC on 09/25/12 at 21:11:33

Welcome back, I don't think anyone retorques the head almost 12.000 miles on mine and I sure havn't. My 09 also bought new has always run great. This is the last great classic motorcyle enjoy.

Title: Re: Back in the saddle again
Post by J C Stokes on 09/25/12 at 21:15:38

I only suggested putting the plug back in case you have to make a warranty claim. If they see something that looks brass they probably won't argue and you idle mod is safe.

Title: Re: Back in the saddle again
Post by Digger on 09/26/12 at 20:18:31

7F70791B0 wrote:

....Does the head really need to be retorqued ?....

I re-torque the head bolts on mine (see signature block) about every 4200 miles or so....but I think I'm about the only swingin' d1ck around here that does....

Title: Re: Back in the saddle again
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 09/26/12 at 21:30:36

Mine has 20,000 on it,, never did it.. was gonna, at 15,000 when I did the cam,, but got all wound up messin w/ the cam & chain & all that & uhh,, ahh fergot,, dooohhh,, Im glad, didnt hafta wrangle w/ that danged plug,,

Title: Re: Back in the saddle again
Post by mnefred on 09/27/12 at 14:34:28

Welcome Doug!
I have the factory service manual. Kinda pricey but no errors. I've never used the Clymer, so I can't compare the two.
I did do the head torque as part of my initial 600 mile service. It was so painful, I couldn't believe it was part of every service! The feed back I got here was generally "not happening". I then went to my dealer and talked to the senior mechanic. They had to look it up to see if it was part of any service, and were completely surprised. Since they've been in business longer than the Savage has been in production, I think it's safe to say they've never done it!
For myself, I don't plan on doing it again until the next time I have to go in there. Probably in a couple of years when I do the tensioner mod, which should be about the 25k miles mark.

Title: Re: Back in the saddle again
Post by Doug B on 10/01/12 at 16:54:22

For all of you who responded - thank you - your thoughts/experiences should prove to be very valuable - I will not be re-torquing the head - I have already ordered the Clymer manual thru my dealership - all comments/advice will be considered and much appreciated - [smiley=beer.gif]

Title: Re: Back in the saddle again
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 10/01/12 at 22:15:04

2E2D2625312627430 wrote:

Id leave it alone,period, forever.

Title: Re: Back in the saddle again
Post by Oldfeller on 10/01/12 at 23:41:24

I'd redo the head torque any time I have to replace the cam chain or any other time I had a solid reason to take the head cover off the top of the head.

In other words, very very rarely and only as part of another tear down.