SuzukiSavage.com /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl General Category >> The Cafe >> My first bike and my first project /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1398838273 Message started by iamgodzi1la on 04/29/14 at 23:11:13

Title: My first bike and my first project Post by iamgodzi1la on 04/29/14 at 23:11:13 Hello, all.  I figured I should move from the introductions thread.  This is my new, and first, motorcycle; a 2001 LS650 that I bought for $400 from a guy that had let it sit, uncovered, in the parking lot at his apartments.  He said it sat for a year, but the registration sticker expired Jan '12.   http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff216/iamgodzi1la/3df98fc1-5cd1-4e95-bbaf-3b8eff90556b.jpg?t=1398832037 I got her running and moving using info from the forum.  I haven't had to ask a question yet, but when I do I'll do it under the appropriate topic.  Here I just wanted to offer up what I've done for the inspection and criticism of those more experienced than me.  I'm not even a motorcycle noob, yet, and I appreciate any suggestions or advice.   Once I got it started and sat on it to ride around the parking lot a couple of times, I noticed the handlebars hit me in the knees when I turn.  There was a riser made of 2" steel pipe nipples from any hardware store.  I replaced those with 3" sockets and some longer bolts. http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff216/iamgodzi1la/206c5598-caef-41f8-861a-36900ed17864.jpg?t=1398832841 I wanted to bring the seat up a couple of inches, too.  I'm 6'3", and I feel like I'm squatting down on it.  I was only able to get about an inch above stock with some sway bar bushings and 45mm bolts from autozone. http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff216/iamgodzi1la/6530be70-8e4a-4c5b-bdbe-fe406bd13e94.jpg?t=1398833358 http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff216/iamgodzi1la/d3cd283b-531d-43be-b92c-ca49d207d00e.jpg?t=1398833461 I don't think I did that right.  I just wanted to raise the seat, not the tank.  I'll see if I can reconfigure it in the morning. Before it's ready to ride I need to replace the intake boot/manifold thingy that has a crack in it, and the rear brake light cable that has rusted through and snapped right behind the knobby thing that clips into the brake pedal, and get some new mounts and bulbs for those front turn signals.  Someone got mad and kicked those because a derelict motorcycle was hogging a prime parking space for a year or two.  Once it's doing it's job getting me from A to B I can start thinking about longer shocks and higher handlebars and extended forward controls and putting a train horn on that thing.  The horn on it now sounds like the Roadrunner.  Meep-meep. http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff216/iamgodzi1la/2f60ae14-f84b-42ca-a923-3e66ecdd21a6.jpg?t=1398833712 This seems to be as good a place to stop as any.

Title: Re: My first bike and my first project Post by WD on 04/29/14 at 23:20:02 Not bad, move the lower set of urethane bushings to over the tank mount... smear a little RTV on the bottom of the tank mount to protect the paint. Just a thin wipe where the bolts go through, will help keep the paint from cracking. Or, set it on a piece of inner tube, same concept, no mess. Oh, FYI, those are NOT stock handlebars for any year Savage/S40. You did good, especially if the previous owner installed them cleanly. That bar retails for well north of $100 on its own...

Title: Re: My first bike and my first project Post by justin_o_guy2 on 04/29/14 at 23:41:21 & when youre ready for hittin the Big Road & need some kinda protection from the wind, youre gonna be able to save Money there, too,.,Looks to me like you could pretty well hide behind a 2X6,, mite need a LONG danged 2X6,, Man, for $400.00, you stole that thing,, & anyone who can rip nipples off & replace them with sockets,, w/o help? Youre way ahead. Now, whats the mileage on it? Gettin close to 15,000 miles is sure time for looking in on the cam chain., You got experience with solid lifters? These clacky dudes are solid lifters. How does it run? Its not bad about backfiring is it?

Title: Re: My first bike and my first project Post by iamgodzi1la on 04/30/14 at 00:02:52 I have a rough idea what a lifter is.  The bike has at least 22,000 miles on it, but the title says exempt and I don't know if the OD even works.  It doesn't backfire, really, but it does pop when it decelerates using engine drag.  I pulled out the spark plug and showed it to a mechanic.  It was slightly blackened at the end, but there was no buildup of carbon and he said it looked fine.  The guy I bought it from said he had a mechanic get it running, but he didn't know specifically what was done to it besides the wiring. I can rip nipples off like a master nipple-ripper, but I'm not sure I'm ready to mess with cams or chains.  If I can get it road-worthy enough for a trip to Dallas (from Austin) a mechanic friend would love to help me out.

Title: Re: My first bike and my first project Post by iamgodzi1la on 04/30/14 at 03:26:18 Now I've got cam chains on the brain.  I read the threads and except for not having a torque wrench and not knowing what small snap ring pliers are (I probably don't have those either), I think I can get in there and check the chain.  I just put $36 worth of mobil 1 synthetic racing oil in there, though, and I don't want to dump it out right away.  I'll have to listen and feel for some rattling in the meantime, and when it's time for an oil change I'll get in there just to see what it looks like.  I haven't noticed any clanking or rattling from the crankcase, though.  Considering the pipe nipple riser, maybe a previous owner was a member of the forum.  I wouldn't be too surprised to see a Verslavy already in there.

Title: Re: My first bike and my first project Post by justin_o_guy2 on 04/30/14 at 07:42:48 Can ya contact the previous owner & ask about the cam chain? It would just suck to see your new ride get tossed in the dumpster.. & thats pretty much what would happen if the cam chain tensioner spits its guts out. Unless youd be up for buying another engine for a $400.00 bike. & YOuve most likely got Waaay the wrong oil in it now,,Theres nothing about these dinosaur design motors that will appreciate the oil youre using. $13.00/gallon Rotella -T, 15/40, theres the best cheap oil youll find. No Friction Modifiers to make a clutch slip. That Racing OIl is for engines that have a seperate transmission, this is a wet clutch, friction modifiers, Slick Crap in the oil, makes our clutches slip,.,Look on the jug the oil came in, Spending the most $$$ doesnt always guarantee having the best thing for the job,, works in lots of places, but not here.

Title: Re: My first bike and my first project Post by iamgodzi1la on 04/30/14 at 15:28:41 The mobil 1 was the only oil on the recommended list that they had in the shop.  It's not getting any mileage put on it, so hopefully it'll survive having the wrong oil for a little while.   The previous owner had less mechanical knowledge than I do.  He said a mechanic got it running for him, but didn't know specifically what was done and didn't have any records.  He said he'd only put 200 miles on it after his mechanic fixed it before parking it and leaving it. I started her up and just listened to the motor for a little while this morning.  I'm not used to single-cylinder engines so I'll still want to consult an expert on whether it sounds normal, but it's idling smoothly and I don't hear any metal-on-metal clanking or grinding.  The crank case bolts have tool marks on them, so someone's been in there, at some point.  I just have no idea how long ago or what they did.  I want to get in there and have a look before I start riding it, but I also want to have it looked over by a professional.  I enjoy taking things apart to see how they work, but I'm not always so good with the putting back together.   I think I want to rebuild or replace that carburetor, too.

Title: Re: My first bike and my first project Post by Sheriff41 on 04/30/14 at 20:44:54 Nice find for $400!  Would be even at twice the price!

Title: Re: My first bike and my first project Post by S-P on 04/30/14 at 20:55:26 Sweet find! Yeah, bare minimum check out the cam chain tensioner before you go for any serious ride. That's a deal/engine breaker. I bought a used bike and decided to check it out and was about 1mm from a disaster.

Title: Re: My first bike and my first project Post by verslagen1 on 04/30/14 at 21:54:02 top of the RSD are a couple of stickied threads for newbs. read them.

Title: Re: My first bike and my first project Post by iamgodzi1la on 04/30/14 at 23:50:27 Over and over and over.

Title: Re: My first bike and my first project Post by stinger on 05/01/14 at 01:55:32 The supertrapp muffler is almost $400 alone

Title: Re: My first bike and my first project Post by iamgodzi1la on 05/01/14 at 02:50:06 I know, right?  I almost feel bad about it, but that thumping motor makes me feel better every time I crank it up.

Title: Re: My first bike and my first project Post by justin_o_guy2 on 05/01/14 at 06:46:01 Sounds like youre sharp enough to have a clue about the cam chain tensioner. Looking at bolt heads & knowing theyve been out is just basic Sherlocking & its good, & youre not hearin a slap,, & Someone did drop the $$ for a Trapp, all that would make me bet the chain is okay, for now, BUT, I wouldnt bet the motor on it, others Might, Im just not that guy. \KNowing what I know, I would Have to Look inside there. That way you can see IF its actually okay,, if it is, kinda how much longer should it last? Its good to know what kinda life expectancy you have on the cam chain, AS to oil. The wrong oils will make the clutch slip. They also dont have "The right stuff" for solid lifter applications. The oil they suggested is for modern designs. If its good for a hot rod, high performance engine, surely its good for this old lawnmower motor, right? I woulda thot so, but, as it works out, Nope,,

Title: Re: My first bike and my first project Post by iamgodzi1la on 05/01/14 at 06:54:42 I think I'm going to google the owner previous to the guy I bought it from.  His name is on the title certificate, and he might be on facebook or something.

Title: Re: My first bike and my first project Post by justin_o_guy2 on 05/01/14 at 06:56:29 By golly! I believe you did read Sherlock Holmes as a young man,,

Title: Re: My first bike and my first project Post by William Pors on 05/01/14 at 11:37:08 You should also look into some saddlebags, the sides look a little bit empty on your bike. It'll even it right out if thats what you're down for. Personally, I like viking, but theres saddlemen and jafrum out there. Jafrum is the cheapest of the bunch but I like viking cuz of value Check em out http://www.vikingbags.com/motorcycle-suzuki-saddlebags.htm

Title: Re: My first bike and my first project Post by iamgodzi1la on 05/01/14 at 14:43:27 Oooooh, yeah.  Saddle bags are definitely on the list.  This bike is going to be my transportation to work and any fun places I can think of to go, so  I need to be able to carry a laptop or pack for a camping trip. I found the previous previous owner on facebook and sent him a message, but he hasn't responded yet.

Title: Re: My first bike and my first project Post by justin_o_guy2 on 05/01/14 at 20:34:02 Did ya tell him you have his old bike?

Title: Re: My first bike and my first project Post by iamgodzi1la on 05/01/14 at 21:04:40 Facebook wants a dollar to message people I'm not friends with, so I changed my profile pic to a pic of the bike and sent him a friend request.  Hopefully he'll figure it out.

Title: Re: My first bike and my first project Post by iamgodzi1la on 07/01/14 at 22:37:49 An update on my progress.  I've installed some front turn signals: http://https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t1.0-9/10511255_10203444116919734_4137394443064767835_n.jpg I put in a new intake manifold: (too boring to photograph) I took my first road trip and got up around 80 mph, and I had to lay down on the tank and try to use my helmet to deflect some wind off my torso so I wouldn't fly away.  After that I decided to get serious and install my new universal shatter-proof windscreen: http://https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t1.0-9/10527850_10203465807261979_7526418103101232435_n.jpg It works as well as I need it to, and should last until I can put something more professional on there.

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