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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Jam's 1987 Suzuki Savage Project. Bobberish maybe?
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Message started by jamforthelamb on 11/13/12 at 19:59:30

Title: Jam's 1987 Suzuki Savage Project. Bobberish maybe?
Post by jamforthelamb on 11/13/12 at 19:59:30

Hey All,

New member here, but lurked for a while before signing up. There are actually two Suzuki Savage/Boulevard/LS650/S40's in the family, but my dad's '09 is the pretty boy, where as my '87 is pretty rough around the edges. Got the bike in trade for a Honda CB750 that had frustrating carb issues (so frustrating that we went from 4 carbs down to 1 :o ). The P.O. went over the issues the bike had with me before the trade, and even the though I knew the bike was rough (rougher then the Honda honestly), I liked my dad's '09 so much that I went for it. Naturally the bike was running when the P.O. was showing it to me, but as soon as it came into MY actually possession the bike decided it wasn't going to run anymore. An oil change, and one raptor petcock later that took care of that problem (must of drained 2 gallons of gas out of the crankcase ::) ). We know it likely has the common oil leak from the head plug, the steering bearing feels tight, have a fork seal leaking, and a few other minor things that aren't coming to mind currently. Cosmetically speaking it's missing the toolbox/side battery cover, has lots of corrosion all over, and the tank has a few dents in it. My intention is to do a mild "bob" to it, meaning a different rear fender, better solo seat, and license plate relocate with brake light. Anyhow, I can add more to what I've done/want to do/champagne dreams on a beer budget later. I know what you all want...pics or it didn't happen right? Here we go.
http://circuit-bent.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/60717_3831106291550_634336648_n.jpg
http://circuit-bent.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/320335_3831080690910_2047215878_n.jpg
http://circuit-bent.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/64526_3831004289000_1738573773_n.jpg
http://circuit-bent.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/155534_3831010369152_1594219942_n.jpg
http://circuit-bent.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/404672_3831051890190_571026167_n.jpg
http://circuit-bent.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/527362_3831065210523_579785425_n.jpg

Since these photos (taken very shortly after getting the bike) I've removed the passenger seat, the chrome rails and sissy bar, plugged all the holes those left with black plugs, relocated the rectifier in the air box, and relocated the turn signals to the plate area using the Saxman method. I'm wanting to tuck the wires for the signals and the brake/plate lights under the fender, but haven't gotten around to it yet. Basically just doing stuff on the cheap to make the bike more pleasing to me until I get the parts to make it how I really want. I'm sure there'll be more to come. Same Savage time, Same Savage Channel :P

Title: Re: Jam's 1987 Suzuki Savage Project. Bobberish ma
Post by jamforthelamb on 11/13/12 at 20:01:28

Just as an aside before anyone mentions it, the fuel filter got trashed with the stock petcock. It was bad from what we could tell any how :).

Title: Re: Jam's 1987 Suzuki Savage Project. Bobberish ma
Post by Serowbot on 11/13/12 at 21:08:50

Look forward to evolution... Welcome... ;)...

Title: Re: Jam's 1987 Suzuki Savage Project. Bobberish ma
Post by Cavi Mike on 11/14/12 at 03:39:03

The tank I have from an old GS is that exact color and has that exact Suzuki sticker on it. I bring this up because it finally just hit me how far along bikes have come since 1987 yet the Savage hasn't changed at all. I'd love to make a collage of the GS evolving beside the LS that's pretty much just had a few different paint schemes.

By the way, your foot-pegs are on the wrong sides.

Title: Re: Jam's 1987 Suzuki Savage Project. Bobberish ma
Post by jamforthelamb on 11/14/12 at 10:52:55

Thanks Serowbot!

Thanks Cavi, and good catch. Actually changed out the pegs today, so it's no longer an issue :D

Title: Re: Jam's 1987 Suzuki Savage Project. Bobberish ma
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 11/14/12 at 11:09:49

I just figured he rode backwards..

Title: Re: Jam's 1987 Suzuki Savage Project. Bobberish ma
Post by verslagen1 on 11/14/12 at 11:19:19

I thought he was just short.

Title: Re: Jam's 1987 Suzuki Savage Project. Bobberish ma
Post by jamforthelamb on 11/17/12 at 16:42:51

http://circuit-bent.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/62249_3916145417475_2099669549_n.jpg

Minor update. Saxman rear signal mod performed, chrome rails and passenger seat stuff removed, rectifier moved to airbox. Planning on tucking the rest of the wires inside the fender, and eventually going to a Sparto style tail light with the turn signals mounted to it ala Denim. You can also see the replacment pegs in this photo that replaced the junked, installed on the wrong sides OEM ones.

Title: Re: Jam's 1987 Suzuki Savage Project. Bobberish ma
Post by ZAR on 11/17/12 at 17:17:33

Kool Beans Jam!!!!!

Title: Re: Jam's 1987 Suzuki Savage Project. Bobberish ma
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 11/17/12 at 19:10:09

I think we should have more go-kart pics..

Title: Re: Jam's 1987 Suzuki Savage Project. Bobberish ma
Post by ToesNose on 11/18/12 at 04:39:46

4D5254534E4978487840525E15270 wrote:

I think we should have more go-kart pics..

I'm with you JOG! I can't wait till my boy is old enough to get him a serious go-cart. (so I can ride it ofcourse) ;D

Title: Re: Jam's 1987 Suzuki Savage Project. Bobberish ma
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 11/18/12 at 07:22:25

Well,, SOMEbody has to make sure its safe,,

Title: Re: Jam's 1987 Suzuki Savage Project. Bobberish ma
Post by jamforthelamb on 11/18/12 at 15:53:42

Thanks guys! I'll see about putting some Gokart pics in the Cafe forum.

Got the drag bar and risers installed today, also worked on a little of the corrosion on the bike.

http://circuit-bent.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/293780_3930391173610_1003148357_n.jpg
http://circuit-bent.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/540153_3930388173535_552551139_n.jpg

Chose black sockets because I'm going to be painting the fork lowers, and a lot of other stuff black over time. Will take the "5/8th's" markings off of them eventually, but thought it was kinda funny for now.

Title: Re: Jam's 1987 Suzuki Savage Project. Bobberish ma
Post by Demin on 11/19/12 at 06:05:12

4A555354494E7F4F7F47555912200 wrote:

Well,, SOMEbody has to make sure its safe,,

Here,hold my beer,watch this........ ;D

That Sparto works to cover all the holes from the stock taillight too.

Title: Re: Jam's 1987 Suzuki Savage Project. Bobberish ma
Post by jamforthelamb on 03/30/13 at 19:02:39

Hey Guys.

So I have a confession to make. I NEARLY traded my Savage for a non-thumper bike :o , but due to the generosity of the other bike's owner he sold it to me for a very fair price, so now I have two bikes ;D. Here's the new bike (I may put more pics in the appropriate forum).
http://circuit-bent.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/541118_4680920216367_133184568_n.jpg
SO, now that I have a bike that is pretty much 100% how I want it, I can tear the Savage down a little deeper without losing any riding time. Yay!

Question. I've noticed that there are pretty much no carb rebuild kits for my '87 unless I want to buy it one piece at a time. I'm guessing that my best bet would be to buy Lancer's projet kit and just clean the carb really well and re-jet as needed (I plan on performance mods later anyhow)? The issue I'm chasing is that on occasion the bike's idle will decay to the point of stalling after being warmed up. I already checked the valves on a recommendation, and they seem to be adjusted properly. I have not had the carb off since I purchased the bike, but it was adjusted by a tech to make sure it would pass emissions.

Thanks!
-jftl

Title: Re: Jam's 1987 Suzuki Savage Project. Bobberish ma
Post by ToesNose on 03/31/13 at 04:32:38

Is that a Rebel with a Blue Collar Bobber kit? Nice scoot Jam Gratz!

Title: Re: Jam's 1987 Suzuki Savage Project. Bobberish ma
Post by srinath on 03/31/13 at 04:59:25

7378747F766B6D717C7578747B190 wrote:

Dont these things wobble - the risers I mean. Way back when - 1995 to be exact, I made 9" aluminum risers, I could not get em to stop wiggling. I eventually had to weld a cross brace. But of course 9" = lot more leverage than the 3" or so of a socket ...
If I recall I also had a wider handle bar, had to take up all the cable slack I thought.

Cool.
Srinath.

Title: Re: Jam's 1987 Suzuki Savage Project. Bobberish ma
Post by mikey2004 on 03/31/13 at 15:36:03

Jam please tell me what you did to get the corrosion off the bike? I have the same problem and would love to do what you did. by the way I do agree Cavi. that 1987 looks EXACTLY like my 99. different color.

Title: Re: Jam's 1987 Suzuki Savage Project. Bobberish ma
Post by WD on 03/31/13 at 16:33:25

Clean your jets. Idle decay is the pilot circuit sucking up trash and jamming up. Get a decent inline fuel filter, Taylor with the bronze stone or similar that can be dismantled and cleaned. It helps, a lot.

Pretty sure the entire production run has used a Mikuni BS40 CV carb... what you REALLY want is a 36 or 38mm normal carb, cable operated slide instead of vacuum. Much more tunable. And fewer parts inside.

Title: Re: Jam's 1987 Suzuki Savage Project. Bobberish ma
Post by jamforthelamb on 03/31/13 at 19:26:51

Toesnoes: No, as far as I know the guy who built it either had the stuff made, or did it himself. No particular company. Thanks!

Srinath: So far I've had no problems.

Mikey2004: I've mostly used 00 Steel wool, but I plan on painting a lot of the things that are corroded.

WD: Thanks! I'll move forward on cleaning up the carb.

-jftl

Title: Re: Jam's 1987 Suzuki Savage Project. Bobberish ma
Post by jamforthelamb on 04/02/13 at 20:32:50

Ok, got the carb all cleaned up, also replaced the top carb screws with hex head screws, and replaced the spacer with two small washers. These washers weren't made out of plastic or brass, will they still be ok? I noticed when tuning the carb that turning the fuel mix screw outward past three turns made little difference on the idle, so from what I've read that means my pilot jet is too small correct? The bike came with a stock exhaust that's drilled if that makes any difference. I plan on getting Lancer's jet kit soon as I plan on putting a cone filter on and changing the exhaust anyhow, but on riding it around today it seems to run well, and no backfires now also!

-jftl

Title: Re: Jam's 1987 Suzuki Savage Project. Bobberish ma
Post by Dave on 04/03/13 at 04:55:25

Jetting is a trial and error thing - but if it is running well you may not need to do anything for now. When I jet.....I tend to make several trials to find the corredt jet. You want the smallest jet that runs well and is not too lean. With a stock air cleaner and muffler I don't see any reason to go over a 52.5.....and on my bike a 50 runs great with the two washer slide change you have made. The two washers raises the needle more than the 3 washers would, and it richens the mixture up for everything from idle up to about 3/4 throttle where the main jet does most of the control.

Title: Re: Jam's 1987 Suzuki Savage Project. Bobberish ma
Post by Super Thumper on 04/03/13 at 13:21:31

That's a nice looking Honda Rebel...is it a 250 or a 450?

Title: Re: Jam's 1987 Suzuki Savage Project. Bobberish ma
Post by jamforthelamb on 04/03/13 at 17:42:31

7769606C626D716A6B050 wrote:

That's a nice looking Honda Rebel...is it a 250 or a 450?

It's a 250, but it's light as heck, so no big ;D.

Thanks Dave, I don't plan to mess with the jets until I get the mods that I want since I'll probably need to, just looking ahead.

-jftl