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Message started by NHLS650 on 05/04/17 at 04:16:23

Title: Good morning!
Post by NHLS650 on 05/04/17 at 04:16:23

Been lurking in the shadows here for some time, reading and absorbing everything I can about the mighty Savage.
I rode back in the eighties, on a '81 Kawasaki CSR650. It was a dependable bike, 4 cylinders, with a Kerker 4 into 1 pipe. I went everywhere, in any weather on that bike, totally hooked into riding....then life happens.
Between getting married, having kids, and the rest of the things Life throws at us, the Kawasakasaurus got sold, and I have been without until just a few weeks ago. I never relinquished my motorcycle license however.

Perusing Craigslist with a fervor, I stumbled upon this beauty, a 2002 LS650P. The owner advertised it as one owner, with a mileage of only 5150!!!! [Van Halen reference???!!!]
The owner had 'striped' the tank with 'bad eighties stripes' on the tank...

So I drove the 60 miles to see it, and without even riding it, [it was pouring out!!!] I bought her!
After signing the bill of sale, I took the title and bill back to NH, and Registered/titled the bike. and went back the following Friday to bring her home!
The initial part of the ride was a bit shaky, after not riding for close to 20 years, but as most of the ride is 35-55 mph rural roads, I had a great opportunity to get in tune with the bike and how she handles!

Fast forward a few weeks now, and I cannot say enough about these motorcycles! What a great bike! Power to weight is incredible, it's nimble, and fun!
I'm hooked on it, and don't plan on modding anything on it, short of a different exhaust that doesn't sound like a sewing machine....thinking about the Dyna muffler! [the stripes have been removed also]

Well, anyway, here she is! Pics in the next post.

Happy riding,
Chris~

Title: Re: Good morning!
Post by NHLS650 on 05/04/17 at 04:16:45

The day I got her:
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1600/682422/23157501/413314249.jpg

Yesterday, stripes removed!
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1600/682422/23157501/413314250.jpg

Title: Re: Good morning!
Post by Gary_in_NJ on 05/04/17 at 05:31:31

Welcome back and enjoy the new ride. We all agree, the 650 lump in the LS is a lot of fun.

You say that you will likely not mod the bike, but there are several mods you should give consideration. The fuel petcock is a ticking time-bomb and will leave you stranded someday. Look in the tech section for the "Raptor" upgrade. I'd also consider the big brake kit (BBK) as the front brakes fade after just a few engagements and could be described as vague, at best.

Title: Re: Good morning!
Post by NHLS650 on 05/04/17 at 06:21:04

Thanks, I'll take that into Consideration sir.

NJ huh,
Where abouts? I escaped from there in 2013, to the beauty of NH.

Title: Re: Good morning!
Post by Gary_in_NJ on 05/04/17 at 06:46:51

I'm actually in the beautiful NW corner of the state where it's almost like living in PA.

Title: Re: Good morning!
Post by NHLS650 on 05/04/17 at 06:50:35

I used to be 4 miles from NYC... :(
Don't miss it at all!

Got my state inspection done this morning, and I'm headed out for a ride.
It's currently 55* right now, but it's supposed to warm to 65! 8-)

Title: Re: Good morning!
Post by MMRanch on 05/04/17 at 18:56:53

NH

I'm on my second LS650 but the first one was my fault , but I think the Harley would have to go before the LS . I'm glad I can have both , the Wife likes the Harley better and its more roomy for her.

The only two mod you'll have to do is the "Versey" about 15,000 to 20,000 miles. I've got over 30,000 miles on the original cam chain and a Versey. The second is the fuel petcock , when it starts acting like its out of gas but it ain't.

This is the simplest bike I have ever had and I can't imagine not having one of them. If you do a lot of Interstate ridding we go a cure for that too ! :)

Title: Re: Good morning!
Post by jcstokes on 05/04/17 at 20:49:37

It's so good in it's stock condition, you could certainly contemplate leaving it alone, including the muffler. I acknowledge these things are personal choice. you could consider the GENUINE Yamaha Raptor petcock, although my bike is at 35000 miles plus without having done this. There is a video on how to change it in the tech section. If you do decide on your own maintenance, read up about putting the oil filter in the wrong way around. How old are the tyres? It was a good idea to ditch the stripes.

Title: Re: Good morning!
Post by IslandRoad on 05/05/17 at 01:27:26

Welcome Chris, I got my LS650 a few months ago. It's my first bike (at age 47). I loved it the minute I sat on it. I was looking for a 'flashier' bike, but I didn't know what I didn't know. I've also begun to learn 'wrenching' on this bike, mostly thanks to the people on this forum. I've really come to appreciate what a gem this bike is. You described it really well - the power to weight ratio and the handling. It's a real little surprise package!

I did the Dyna muffler and the Raptor early on. The muffler is a huge improvement. And when the petcock plays up it's like having a gremlin in the machine.

Apart from that I've been doing/planning cosmetic mods.

I love riding it so much that my car is going on the market shortly [ch9786]

Title: Re: Good morning!
Post by NHLS650 on 05/05/17 at 03:55:41

424B5B5C47434D5B280 wrote:

Hello!
I will order the petcock, as I am really, really rural here, and don't need the headaches of pushing my bike thru the mountains of NH, with no cell service.
The tires are the second set, but I will be replacing them in the fall. They are showing signs of cracks. I'm definitely going to two whitewalls~love the look.
As far as working on it, the last 20 years of my life was spent as a police mechanic, so I know both ends of a wrench ;)
What are the symptoms on a bad tensioner?

***EDIT***
I just ordered my petcock.
New in the box Yamaha part fro Flea-bay, 8 bucks! 8-)

Title: Re: Good morning!
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 05/05/17 at 04:57:44

You got a Chinese knockoff. Drop it in the trash. Buy a Genuine Yamaha part.

Title: Re: Good morning!
Post by Dave on 05/05/17 at 05:02:51

If you don't see the white box, and the words Yamaha and the part number listed.....it is a Chinese copy. Real Yamaha petcocks are around $30.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-YAMAHA-RAPTOR-660-YFM-660R-OEM-FUEL-VALVE-SHUTOFF-PETCOCK-5LP-24500-01-00-/272653140061?fits=Model%3ARaptor+660R&hash=item3f7b64c05d:g:DLkAAOSwmfhX4r09&vxp=mtr

Title: Re: Good morning!
Post by NHLS650 on 05/05/17 at 09:20:31

OK, thanks.
Canceled and reordered the other one. ;)

Title: Re: Good morning!
Post by Tocsik on 05/05/17 at 09:33:04

Welcome Chris!
Your story is similar to mine as far as a long break from riding. I rode a Yamaha RD200 and then a Yamaha XS400 back in the very early 80's. Got hit by a car and ended up with a smashed face/mouth (despite a full face helmet) in '82 while I was a senior in high school. I didn't really ride again until 2008 when I bought a 150cc scooter (not Chinese junk!) and put 40K miles on it. Bought the S40 in 2014. Good chance I would have bought an SV650 (naked) if cost wasn't an issue but the Savage is just so fun!
Both bikes have a rabid following but this forum is a treasure trove of expertise and fellowship. Just stay out of the Tall Table and you'll love it!

Title: Re: Good morning!
Post by NHLS650 on 05/05/17 at 10:09:36

Quote:

Just stay out of the Tall Table and you'll love it!

Not sure I understand that??? :-/

Went out for a two hour ride yesterday, to the top of the Kancamaugus pass.
It's the mountain road between Conway and Lincoln NH. The Savage rode great, and actually handles better than I thought it would thru the curves and switch-backs.
I'm by no means a speed demon, the speed limit is fine by me.....well, perhaps just a wee bit over ;)
But the bike ran great. I'm getting about 60mpg, and have not gone past half-throttle yet....after not riding for so long, I'm taking small steps....besides, at 53, I'm 'supposed' to know better....
Raining here today, so it's a great opportunity to clean it and wax a bit.

Thanks to everyone so far!!!

Title: Re: Good morning!
Post by Tocsik on 05/05/17 at 10:12:47

Heh. Tall Table is where some folks talk politics and religion. Odd for a motorcycle forum but it keeps that stuff contained at least.
I'm 52 and live in Denver so I ride up in the mountains occasionally. The Savage is great for that type of riding. You're getting excellent mileage! I average in the low 50's.

Title: Re: Good morning!
Post by NHLS650 on 05/05/17 at 13:04:50

I just called the local Harley dealer.
They have 2 Dyna mufflers up for grabs.:
A chrome
And a black. Either one is $50.00.
Gonna stop by next week and grab one of them.
Which color fellas?
I'm thinking chrome, but black.... Hmmmmmm....

Title: Re: Good morning!
Post by IslandRoad on 05/05/17 at 13:46:08

If you're going to leave the header pipe chrome, my vote would be for a chrome muffler.The Dyna has a really good quality chrome finish BTW :)

Title: Re: Good morning!
Post by NHLS650 on 05/05/17 at 13:56:51

I'm thinkin' chrome too. 8-)

Title: Re: Good morning!
Post by IslandRoad on 05/05/17 at 14:49:19

You'll probably want to read up on the Dyna install in the tech section, if you haven't already. It's not a direct fit, but it's close. There are a couple of methods. I went with the simplest which is to make up a crush gasket from a strip of ribbed tin can. I'm new to bikes and It took me a couple of goes, but I'm stoked with the results - no silicon, cement or adapters.

I live at sea level, so I also re-jetted the carb. I'm running the stock air filter too.

BTW, make sure you get a Dyna with the correct mounting points. There are different models. There are a number of threads on here about it.

Title: Re: Good morning!
Post by jcstokes on 05/05/17 at 17:09:24

There are some videos with sound of the loose tensioner noise, but since you are a trained mechanic, there are posts on how to pull the cover to inspect. If you go to that trouble, you may wish to order the Versy one while the cover is off, or dear I say it, if you have competent welding skills you could make your own.

Title: Re: Good morning!
Post by NHLS650 on 05/23/17 at 03:56:14

665D5047565A41475C545946350 wrote:

Well as I had said earlier, I had ordered the Yamaha petcock, and it's been sitting on my workbench since.....until this week.
I left for work on Saturday morning, and about 4 miles from my house, the bike dies!
Thinking that I might be low on fuel, I switch to reserve, and make it to the filling station. Only takes 1,2 gallons.....Hmmmm :-/
Switch back to the primary tank, and continue to work, no issues there or home.

Sunday morning, I warm it up on choke, and head out. Got to the top of my hill and she dies again. Put the choke back on, start her, go another 3 miles, dead again.....in fact, it'll only run in the reserve position. Ride back home gently, and Take the Tacoma to work instead.

Well I drained the tank and did the petcock last night. In fact, I took the entire tank off, and did the rattling speedo fix as well.
The only way that I could ANY gas out of the rank was in the reserve position.

A coat of wax on the hidden frame areas, as well as the underside of the tank for good measure.
Reinstalled it all, with the new petcock, and she started right away! runs fine for 10 minutes in the garage! And, no more buzzing from the speedo and cable rattling! It gasket/insulator that sits at the bottom of the speedo housing, between the tank was also all folded under the plastic housing :(

It's supposed to be 75* here today, so I'm riding in. While it's quite cloudy and 48* now, I'm goin!!!!

Thanks to all that assisted with my questions!