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Message started by dkruitz on 04/05/13 at 10:45:03

Title: New here, and new to the Savage
Post by dkruitz on 04/05/13 at 10:45:03

I'd been lurking on here a couple of months while I investigated several models and kept coming back to the Savage. On Sunday I bought a 2004 with under 2,500 miles on it. I'm going over it all now and want to see about some of the members' upgrades to parts (cam chain tensioner, etc) and have some questions too.

Was the infamous head plug leak fixed by 10/03?

One thing I do miss is a tachometer, and since I don't have a manual didn't know what the shift points are - I haven't spotted them on here yet either. Recommendations?

Also, I'm shopping for tires - though they're in good shape, they've got a date code of "2403" - original to the bike. How are the Pirelli MT66 treads?

Here's a photo after the first wash and polish. I'm not crazy about the purple, but it's growing on me.

Thanks,
Dan

Title: Re: New here, and new to the Savage
Post by Dave on 04/05/13 at 10:54:34

Welcome to the site....and to the Savage side of life.

Don't worry about the plug leak....unless it starts leaking. It will let you know when it is time.

Just ride the thing and you will learn when to shift. There is no need to wind it out for no reason, when the revs get too high you will feel the bike stop accelerating. A tach.....not really a necessity as your ears will soon learn when it is time to shift.

Tires......Somebody else will have to help you on that.....or use the search function and see what was posted earlier.

Title: Re: New here, and new to the Savage
Post by rfw2003 on 04/05/13 at 10:58:23

Howdy and a Big welcome to the Best Savage/S40 forums on the InterWeb there is.

As for the shift points depends on how your riding it, if you looking for the fastest acceleration shift when you start to fell the power drop off. If you looking for just a nice ride, shift pretty much when ever, just don't lug the engine.

I myself use the RT66 tires and love them. If you are on the heavier side or like riding 2 up then you may have to replace a few of the fender rail bolts mainly on the left side of the bike with button head bolts instead of the stock bolts, because when the shock is nearing the 3/4 to full compression the tire will rub on 1 or 2 of the stock fender rail bolts. but that goes for any rear tire that is the 140/90 size. Also that size tire seems to make the speedo read more accurate to the real speed your actually going.

2 other upgrades that are well worth the bucks to spend on are 412 series metric cruiser shocks of around 11" to 12" length and also a seat upgrade as the stock seat sucks big time for longer rides. I recommend to spend your coin on a Corbin seat it's well worth the money and your butt and back will definitely thank you once it's broken in.

The last thing or should I say the first thing you should upgrade is the muffler to a HD Dyna muffler and then re-jet your carb properly so that it's not running lean like it is in stock form, and the Dyna muffler will just make it run even leaner.

That's all I can think of right now.

R.F.

Title: Re: New here, and new to the Savage
Post by Blinky-FSO on 04/05/13 at 11:44:53

19222F3829253E38232B26394A0 wrote:

Don't worry about the plug leak....unless it starts leaking. It will let you know when it is time.

+1 on the plug, don't fix what is not broken and not all of them develop the leak.

The only solution I have for your purple problem is to only ride it at night, very late at night: with no moon. 8-)

Welcome and good hunting

Title: Re: New here, and new to the Savage
Post by ToesNose on 04/05/13 at 11:57:01

Welcome dkruitz! I hope you enjoy the bike even just half as much as most of us do ;)

Title: Re: New here, and new to the Savage
Post by paulorlo on 04/05/13 at 12:50:35

+1 for the seat issue, welcome .

Title: Re: New here, and new to the Savage
Post by bill67 on 04/05/13 at 13:57:13

232C35322E333D470 wrote:

I put the Pirelli route 66 on,And was surprise how much better they ride.They handle really good and the cracks in the pavement don't affect them.

Title: Re: New here, and new to the Savage
Post by dkruitz on 04/05/13 at 14:12:24

I've since found the Owner's Manual on here and it says 2.5 qts of oil, but I know I used just under 2 with a filter change to bring the oil to the upper mark on the sight glass with the bike standing upright. I'm OK right?

Title: Re: New here, and new to the Savage
Post by Bubba on 04/05/13 at 14:12:42

+1 on the Pirelli's...i really like mine...

cam chain tensioner doesn't need to be done for a while but buy one and save it for when ya need it...

seat lift mod is great if you're poor...keeps ya from sliding forward...

exhaust mod is easy too and then ya get to work on the carb and jets which is intimidating at first but really pretty easy if you have any mechanical abilty...
when you do work on the carb buy some stainless allen key bolts to replace the jis (phillips but not really) screws...they strip

can't think of anything else right now...just ride it!

Title: Re: New here, and new to the Savage
Post by Steve H on 04/05/13 at 15:22:57

Welcome!

Like everybody else said. Ride and enjoy.
I, myself, have no problem with the stock seat. My problem is more with the bullhorn handlebars. They make my carpal tunnel act up and hands go numb in about half an hour.

I just got mine back at Thanksgiving so not a lot of road time on it yet. The change to the Dyna muff was already done and the jetting as well. Runs great...lots of good rumble too. Mine's got 23,000 on it. So, they are good, long-lasting bikes. Just take reasonable care of it and it'll give you lots of miles of fun.

Steve

Title: Re: New here, and new to the Savage
Post by jcstokes on 04/05/13 at 17:10:56

Many will argue that a tach is not important on these bikes, however I like one and got one off EBAY for about $60US. My one recommendation, if you get an analogue one, is to get white face black dial as these are probably easier to read at night. It's ok and necessary to have a dual fire one. If you want to spend up, Baron Bullet make fancy ones. If you want digital there is a Vapor Trail thingy that does other things as well as being a tach.I had mine mounted on the left side of the bar, others have them on the bar/riser clamps. The clamp mounting may be a little more prone to vibration. There is a post in the tech section on tachs known to work on the Savage /S40, you will have to scroll through the posts to find it. Toesnose and Ralphyguy have posted pics of their tach mountings.

Title: Re: New here, and new to the Savage
Post by dkruitz on 04/05/13 at 20:03:20

I'll have to keep an eye on the HD mufflers - I spotted a load of them at a local metal recycling center a couple years ago - the local dealer might have some for me. And a re-jet should be very doable. My first project was a '71 CB500 - got it running but 4 carbs was a PITA. I like one now. :)

Oh, and the petcock replacement is in the works.

Title: Re: New here, and new to the Savage
Post by houstonbofh on 04/05/13 at 20:47:58

I love the Metzlers. They last longer than most tires and ride very well, and I have a new set on my Marauder after wearing out the old set. But Aida does not do near the miles I do, so I got her the Pirelli MT66s. I was very impressed. Specifically how the tires no longer ride the pavement groves like they used to.

Title: Re: New here, and new to the Savage
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 04/06/13 at 09:40:39

YOur tire choice will likely go thru changes. Quality is always good, but, if you dont ride enough miles per year, your investment wont get used, it'll rot.

Title: Re: New here, and new to the Savage
Post by 87 savage on 04/06/13 at 18:15:32

343B222539242A500 wrote:

Here's a photo after the first wash and polish. I'm not crazy about the purple, but it's growing on me.

Thanks,
Dan

What?? That purple rocks! Although I am a little biased as I have an 87 that is purple, one of the stock colors in 87. Ironically it's called "Suzuki Blue"

Title: Re: New here, and new to the Savage
Post by jcstokes on 04/06/13 at 21:33:17

Handbook says max speed in gears for a run in bike is 1st 35 mph, 2nd 55mph, 3rd 75 mph, 4th 90mph. Some of these speeds might be a bit theoretical.

Title: Re: New here, and new to the Savage
Post by 87 savage on 04/07/13 at 06:24:11

7F70696E726F611B0 wrote:

Hi dkruitz. As long as it is in between the marks you are ok. The reason it took less than 2 qts is that you didn't get all the oil out. The oil gets hung up in the crank halves and side covers. If you want to get it all or actually most of it out you have to tip the bike to one side quite a bit, hold for a few seconds, then come back to upright and let it drain a bit. Then do the same in the other direction. Also there is a well in the cylinder head under the cam shaft that holds about a 1/4 cup and you would have to lay the bike down to get that out. ::) Not worth it!

Title: Re: New here, and new to the Savage
Post by dkruitz on 04/07/13 at 08:48:54

3D303E392E286D6B65645C0 wrote:

[quote author=343B222539242A500 link=1365183910/0#0 date=1365183903]
Here's a photo after the first wash and polish. I'm not crazy about the purple, but it's growing on me.

Thanks,
Dan

What?? That purple rocks! Although I am a little biased as I have an 87 that is purple, one of the stock colors in 87. Ironically it's called "Suzuki Blue" [/quote]

Ha - I think my year's purple is called Plum Crazy - not sure.
So far the Pirelli MT66's seem to be a good candidate - good reviews, and economical. I guess I can always step up to the Metzlers if they're warranted later.

I changed the brake oil - piece of cake - very rewarding.

And my first oops - I filled the tank to the neck with it leaning to the left, and promptly leaked gas all over with the cap on. :(

Title: Re: New here, and new to the Savage
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 04/07/13 at 09:05:49

Yea, the tube that goes down from the cap is the guide there. Mine leaked even when I stopped there, even if I stood the thing up it would occasionally spit some. Now, I stand it up, fill it up to the bottom of that tube, hang the hose up,cap it, slosh the gas a bit. I also took the cap apart & put a thin, hard plastic shim under the rubber seal & taped off the filler & used a sanding block to make sure the sealing lip was a flat surface. It wasnt,,not when I started, anyway. Even with all that, an overfill will still make a mess. Gasoline on skin, especially soft stuff, like a thigh, in pants that will hold the gas a while, is a very bad thing.