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/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl General Category >> The Cafe >> Today, a Savage fell in my lap... /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1367371449 Message started by TheSavagePJ on 04/30/13 at 18:24:08 |
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Title: Today, a Savage fell in my lap... Post by TheSavagePJ on 04/30/13 at 18:24:08 Today, I got an unexpected call from a buddy who is in the journalism business. Turns out, hes leaving his paper where he worked for 10 years to move up to the Watertown, NY area for the paper up there. (very upstate NY, stones throw from Canadistan). He already moved, but he wanted to know if I'd be willing to take his '87 Savage. He couldnt take it with him, and his landlord called to let him know that if it isnt gone by the end of the week, it was going straight to the scrapyard. Its mine for free, however there is no title, though he'd work with me to get a replacement and sign it over to me. So yeah, awesome, free bike. As to why its free, its been sitting under a tarp for 6 years, exposed to the elements. I rode out today to look at it, and though I was expecting worse, its still what you would expect. There is no major frame rust (from what I could see), looks to be bone stock. Hell, the tires were still inflated and it still had chrome left on it. I figured, worst case, it'll be too far gone and end up being a money pit, so sell off whatever good parts there are and call it that. However, I've been looking for a project to tear into, and this might just be the ticket. My biggest obstacle will be my own inexperience, and I think if nothing else, this could be a great learning experience into my own Savage. Any advice on what I should do here? The bike is coming tomorrow, so I'll have pics of what Im dealing with. I was thinking of tearing everything down to its bare bones, inspect, toss away anything looking old, worn damaged etc., clean up whats good, replace whatever is missing, put it all back together, then try to get it running again. I'm sure theres guys on here who have resurrected old, neglected bikes, so tell it like it is. Pics will follow, so until then, I don't have many specifics yet. |
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Title: Re: Today, a Savage fell in my lap... Post by Serowbot on 04/30/13 at 18:32:43 That had to hurt... :-?... PS... if you don't have a lot of experience,.. tearing it down to bare bones will get you nothing but a big pile of parts... Take baby steps.. study what it needs... then get it functioning... Then... once you have a machine worth investing time and money in... make it what you want... JMHO... :-?... |
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Title: Re: Today, a Savage fell in my lap... Post by Oldfeller on 04/30/13 at 18:34:07 Save all the parts because you can sell them to other members in the marketplace. You you need a goal, something that you plan to build out of the bike -- like a bobber or a cafe or a road racer or a flat tracker because whatever your heart desires the savage can become any of them. |
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Title: Re: Today, a Savage fell in my lap... Post by old_rider on 04/30/13 at 18:44:07 Someone give him a place to start? Like fluid changes, carb cleaning? brake fluid/pad check? charge battery and check elec... lights, starter turn over ect..? Lubes? Posting what I would check on any bike that sat for awhile, my wifes was running but I still checked all those things and replaced the rubber (tires) to boot. I figure all yuse guys will be able to tell him what if anything would likely be a problem on one that sat so long. |
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Title: Re: Today, a Savage fell in my lap... Post by TheSavagePJ on 04/30/13 at 18:44:50 OldFeller, I hear that. Thats the other problem, up until 2 this afternoon, I was thinking "well, I got a raptor and the heat shield on order for the bike, I'll be good with that for a while" to "Crap, what am I gonna do with bike thats practically growing moss on it?" I always thought a bobber would be cool, but I definitely into the cafe racer look. Maybe mimic an old school Triumph or something. Its all so sudden, especially for a newbie who hasnt torn any of these bikes apart yet, much less any bike for that matter. I'm not saying its too much. The thought of it going to the boneyard was too much for me to let it go. Oh, and Serowbot, I've dated girls that weigh more than a Savage... ;D Well... not really, but a few were close, well dry weight anyway. |
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Title: Re: Today, a Savage fell in my lap... Post by old_rider on 04/30/13 at 18:47:13 Quote:
Was that before or after you bought them dinner? :o |
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Title: Re: Today, a Savage fell in my lap... Post by engineer on 04/30/13 at 19:43:54 The best place to start with an old bike, lawnmower, or what have you is to see if you can get it to run by doing the simple things. Clean out the gas tank, test the petcock, check fuel line etc., clean the carb and air filter, put some good oil in it, connect a battery and see if it will start and run. After that you can make your plans because then you will better know the scope of the work that must be done. |
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Title: Re: Today, a Savage fell in my lap... Post by Yonuh Adisi FSO on 04/30/13 at 21:03:52 Open the inspection port on the side of the case and try to turn the crank using a socket. (take spark plug out and put the tranny in neutral) If the crank turns fairly easily you have a head start on getting running because you know the engine hasn't seized while it was left neglected. The inspection cover is that big circle with a big slotted screw driver slot in it. |
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Title: Re: Today, a Savage fell in my lap... Post by ToesNose on 05/01/13 at 04:36:04 Yea don't worry about making plans for the bike till you service it and see if it's a viable runner. Do all the above as suggested and don't spend any more money on it then you need to, even use you're bikes battery to turn it over after running through all the basics. If it runs well enough then start dreaming either of building or parting out LOL. |
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Title: Re: Today, a Savage fell in my lap... Post by Dave on 05/01/13 at 05:28:10 I believe as some have said - the first thing to do is as little as possible to get it running. If it has had fuel in it for 6 years.....get it out and see what it left behind. The tank, carb and petcock may need to get some serious cleaning. Post us some detailed pics.........and give us some details after you get it home. Then after you have it running......it may be time to investigate the title issue. No sense spening money on the title and taxes if the thing is only good for parts. |
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Title: Re: Today, a Savage fell in my lap... Post by justin_o_guy2 on 05/01/13 at 08:58:43 First, dont buy ANYthing that it hasnt Proved it MUST have in order to run. Not one dime on looks, until its running right. Keep the receipt, dont touch the shield, be ready to return it. It will run just fine w/o that.IF it runs good, then install it & finish fixing it up. Look, you got it for free. Its not pretty, But, itll be fun to ride. You CAN allow it to eat your time, trying to get it "Pretty" for others to see & oooh & ahh over. Heck with them, dont worry about what others may say or think. Just get it running & get it Safe, fresh tires, brakes working right.. Over time, you can pick which parts need attention & start cleaning it up & making it like YOu want it. Winter time is good for that.. |
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Title: Re: Today, a Savage fell in my lap... Post by TheSavagePJ on 05/01/13 at 18:02:57 Small update, my buddy with a truck can't help me out until the weekend, so what I'm up against is still a mystery. I do have a less-than-stellar pic of the bike, I'll make up for it later with pics of just about anywhere I can stick my phones camera. The suspense is killing me, I'm hoping for a workable bike, but my gut tells me you guys are going to be getting some parts in the for sale forum. If nothing else, it'll be an educational experience! |
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Title: Re: Today, a Savage fell in my lap... Post by Dave on 05/02/13 at 05:01:26 Eeeeeek! That photo is scary! :o Still.....it is worth doing something with it. If you find someone doing a RYCA conversion - you might be able to get a lot of parts needed to freshen that bike up...provided that it runs....or......you got the perfect start for a RAT BIKE. Sometimes the roughest beater cars, trucks and bikes the most useful and most fun. There are no worries about scratches, dents or washing/waxing....just ride and have fun. |
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Title: Re: Today, a Savage fell in my lap... Post by TheSavagePJ on 05/02/13 at 06:21:31 6E55584F5E52494F545C514E3D0 wrote:
Funny you say that, Dave. I was contacted by user V-Pilot who lives a stones throw away from me, who is doing the RYCA conversion. I'll be giving him a visit once I get my rear turn signal issue addressed. Oh, and I 100% agree with you, I do have a soft spot for the less-than-pretty bikes. They are supposed to be FUN, dirty shows you love them, more so than keeping it in the garage and keeping it perfectly clean and sterile. I've said this before, but this is a great community, and I am continually surprised by the amount of help and support I've been getting from the members here. Feeling like you don't have to tackle a huge project like this on your own makes the ultimate goal all that more attainable. My girlfriend is a wizard with paint, especially with a rattle can and oil paints. Shes as excited as I am about it, provided I can get it running again. |
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Title: Re: Today, a Savage fell in my lap... Post by ToesNose on 05/02/13 at 08:21:41 hey it's not a great pic, but from what I can see it doesn't look rusted out or anything. You may have a diamond in the rough PJ, we'll all cross our fingers for ya ;) |
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Title: Re: Today, a Savage fell in my lap... Post by RidgeRunner13 on 05/02/13 at 10:56:27 If I lived within 250 miles of you I'd offer you $400 as is & come get it. It looks like it would be good for a project I have in mind. ;D Sadly, it is way too far away for me. :'( |
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Title: Re: Today, a Savage fell in my lap... Post by justin_o_guy2 on 05/02/13 at 14:11:55 526E63556770676163564C060 wrote:
If nothing else, it'll be an educational experience! THIS guy has had an "educational experience".. Go slow, make SURE there is no hassle w/ the title before you move it. Spend exactly NOT one Dime on looks until it runs & is safe. http://www.bangstyle.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/111206-Anthony-Miranda-5a.photoblog600.jpg |
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Title: Re: Today, a Savage fell in my lap... Post by TheSavagePJ on 06/04/13 at 20:27:22 So after a few setbacks, I was finally able to pick up the bike before the scrappers got to it. The pictures, as promised: http://imgur.com/a/fd80G#JJUJfq9 After a lot of legwork today, I figured out that the bike is not stolen, it was never wrecked and it hasn't been registered for over 5 years, therefore no record of it exists at DMV. I was told by my mechanic that if I can get it running and worthy of a rebuild, I should take it to to Vermont (about an hour from me) and request a title and registration there, as the laws are not nearly as strict as NY. As you can see, the bike is in fair-poor condition, but everything vital is there. After a surface inspection, I know that the front caliper is seized, there is small blotches of rust on the inside of the tank, petcock is permanently frozen in prime, there is still oil in the pan (a little under half of the window when held at 90), kickstand is bent in an odd position and lots of other things you would expect from a bike sitting outside for many years. On the plus side, the bike was stored behind two large brick buildings in a corner, which I think might have prevented the damage from being worse. Anywho, there's a lot on my plate. So there it is, my friends. Where should I start? |
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Title: Re: Today, a Savage fell in my lap... Post by jcstokes on 06/04/13 at 22:03:35 Get a block of wood about six inches square and 2 and three quarter inches high. Put it under the kickstand and let the bike sit for a few minutes, the bike should stand almost vertical. After three to five minutes look down near the bottom of the right hand crankcase cover, you will see a little round window, which should be half to three quarters full of oil. If no oil shows, don't rush in to starting it. If there is oil, go looking for a battery. Although the bike looks rough there seems to have been an absence of bobbers, customisers, creators and project managers. This could work in your favour. |
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Title: Re: Today, a Savage fell in my lap... Post by ToesNose on 06/05/13 at 06:03:38 Hey PJ she's a weather worn stock bike but still FREE! I'd say before anything else just get her running to see if she's worth starting as a full on project or possibly just a parts/donor bike. Drain the oil and check it for any water or anything winky, if that looks ok then I would pull the carb and clean it out and hook up a temporary gas tank/can just to feed the carb and hook the battery up from your other scoot check for spark and then try to start her :) |
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Title: Re: Today, a Savage fell in my lap... Post by TheSavagePJ on 06/05/13 at 06:07:26 stokes, there is definitely oil in the crankcase, which was a big relief. I'll do what you said, as the absence of a dipstick makes checking oil kind of a guessing game with these bikes. Is there a how-to on how to clean rust spots out of the inside of a gas tank? |
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Title: Re: Today, a Savage fell in my lap... Post by justin_o_guy2 on 06/05/13 at 06:27:03 Before I put much time in the tank, as long as theyre not so bad that theyd choke up a filter. get it running,, |
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Title: Re: Today, a Savage fell in my lap... Post by TheSavagePJ on 06/05/13 at 07:19:57 Stokes, I did what you said about getting the bike to sit vertical for about 15 minutes (I gave it extra time because I'm assuming the cold, sludgy oil will need extra time to settle at the bottom of the crankcase. I have a tiny bit over 1/4, which means there is SOME oil left in there. As for the gas tank rust, it isn't horrible, just some spotty blotches and a nice layer of crud at the bottom. (I'd take a pic but my camera just isn't that small). I'm thinking of starting a new post in RSD, because I'm going to be including a lot of pics and since this will be my first project ever, I will be treading carefully. Money is kind of tight right now, so my progress will be at a snails pace until I get some funds coming in. If it runs and doesn't need any major rebuilding, I want to keep my investment around $700-$1000 max. The cosmetics I'm not worried about so much, my girlfriend is a master with paint and restoration, and shes as excited as I am about the project. |
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Title: Re: Today, a Savage fell in my lap... Post by jcstokes on 06/05/13 at 12:28:19 I'm no mechanic and the oil level check should be done with warm oil, however, you do have oil there. If you do fire it up don't add more than about half a US pint, you will soon be draining it anyway. As far as the tank goes, I suggest removing the tank and petcock, sealing up the petcock outlet putting in about a gallon of petrol and shaking the tank vigorously. Hopefully this will dissolve the crud. You can the drain the tank and filter the petrol into a suitable container and re use it to repeat the process several times. This may not be ideal but you do mention budgetary considerations. |
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Title: Re: Today, a Savage fell in my lap... Post by justin_o_guy2 on 06/05/13 at 17:12:34 Just clean the tank enough to be able to run it & make sure the engine is sound. YOu wouldnt wanna put 5 hours & $30.00 in a tank to discover the engine is shot. |
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Title: Re: Today, a Savage fell in my lap... Post by Serowbot on 06/05/13 at 17:43:13 370B063002150204063329630 wrote:
We can move this to the RSD if you like... or you can start a new one,.. your choice... ;)... |
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