SuzukiSavage.com - Print Page

SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl
General Category >> The Cafe >> "New" Savage owner
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1494956921

Message started by Terri W on 05/16/17 at 10:48:41

Title: "New" Savage owner
Post by Terri W on 05/16/17 at 10:48:41

Just wanted to say Hi and tell folks how glad I am to find this site. I've wanted a motorcycle most of my life but situation (living in Chicago for 20 years) made it where I wasn't so keen on it.

Back home in NC and I bought myself a 2001 Savage with 10k miles on it after going through the motorcycle safety class.

AND I love her. I learned how to change my oil (icky black) and now am figuring out about the carbs and a gasket oil leak. It's my bike and I'm going to learn how to take care of her.

-Terri

Title: Re: "New" Savage owner
Post by Dave on 05/16/17 at 10:55:22

Be sure you put the oil filter in the correct way.......it is an easy but dangerous mistake!

Where in NC? We go down to the area around Deals Gap, Waynesville, Robbinsville a couple times each summer.

Title: Re: "New" Savage owner
Post by Terri W on 05/16/17 at 10:59:00

Located right outside of Pinehurst, NC.

And yeah, I read the "horror" stories regarding the oil filter so it was my first thing I made sure was "to code". She's running better now (less clicking). I am trying to narrow down a small leak around the head gasket (read the forums on that) and the backfiring when I turn her off.

Title: Re: "New" Savage owner
Post by Ruttly on 05/16/17 at 12:49:42

Most likely is the head plug leaking oil , get that and a cam chain adjuster from Verslagen in the Market Place top line can't miss it.

Title: Re: "New" Savage owner
Post by Terri W on 05/16/17 at 13:41:25

Roger that. I found the breakdown on how to work on the head plug and have already ordered the part from http://www.suzukipartspitstop.com.

Looks like I'm going to be busy on this coming Saturday but I love tinkering with the bike.

Title: Re: "New" Savage owner
Post by LANCER on 05/16/17 at 17:08:22

Welcome Terri, it is indeed a very fun bike to TINKER with.
I am a chronic tinkerer.

Title: Re: "New" Savage owner
Post by Terri W on 05/16/17 at 17:16:06

This...keeps me from working on it right now.

Title: Re: "New" Savage owner
Post by IslandRoad on 05/16/17 at 17:40:26

Uh Oh! ... cat pics!! lol

I get it though. This is our little guy.

He's great, but has moments where he goes into 'attack mode' and he'll jump out from behind the sofa and try to disembowel your leg (probably some genetic connection to tigers and lions). The other day I was photographing the part # under my muffler, and he went crazy on my other hand which was just kinda sticking out ... I still have the scars!

I was NEVER a 'cat person' ... this little guy has changed me!!

Title: Re: "New" Savage owner
Post by Dave on 05/17/17 at 03:01:26

Don't use the stock head plug.....it will eventually leak again, must like the factory one did.

Order the one Verslagen makes - and just do it once.

Title: Re: "New" Savage owner
Post by Terri W on 05/17/17 at 05:53:34

ah, Good to know. I'll do that. Thanks for the head's up.

Title: Re: "New" Savage owner
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 05/17/17 at 06:17:49

To simplify keeping bolts in order, draw the outline on light cardboard, slot where each bolt belongs. Then shove them in.
There's one that won't come out until you get the head cover out. Be sure to have it in before you put the cover down. One is upside down IIRC, on a corner. And get a sealer like the bike shops use. The stuff lasted for years without getting hard like RTV gasket maker. I've seen unopened, unPurchased tubes in stores hard as a new tire.
Don't break or strip bolts up there. Hard to fix..
1/4" drive ratchet, thumb on wrench, fingers open,just cradling the handle, close the hand. Feel the bolts clamping force.
Better to discover a leak later than create a real problem by getting too rough.

If you have a problem with getting the cover off, don't start prying on it. Find the bolt you missed. Once you have an edge loose it should peel right off.

Title: Re: "New" Savage owner
Post by Terri W on 05/17/17 at 06:26:28

Excellent! I know this is a stupid question but I'm a noob and I think I get at least one (crossing fingers).

Where would I get the stuff that bike shops use?

Title: Re: "New" Savage owner
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 05/17/17 at 06:40:57

Mmmmm, ohhh, I dunno, I wonder where THEY get it? I wonder if they sell the stuff. Why, YaKnow, I'll bet their mechanics get the stuff right off the shelf.. That's how I got mine. Dude owns a small bike shop, tossed me what his guys use. Looks like it's gone up.

https://www.amazon.com/Three-Bond-Liquid-Gasket-TB1194/dp/B0012TUVAW

There are other brands, and RTV costs less, but I don't like RTV in this application.

Title: Re: "New" Savage owner
Post by Terri W on 05/17/17 at 14:51:58

Got it! Ordered some today so I should see it in a few days.

Title: Re: "New" Savage owner
Post by Steve H on 05/21/17 at 08:51:05

Hi Terri

Welcome! It's a great bike to learn to wrench on and there's any information on here that you might possibly need for whatever you are doing. Somebody out here always knows the answer and will gladly share the information.

Working on your own bike will save you lots of money, help you make sure things are done right, help you be aware when something's wrong, and gives great satisfaction knowing you did it and got just what you wanted.

As you have probably already seen, there are fixes and/or parts available on here for all of the known issues with the S40.

Enjoy your bike, be careful and put on plenty of miles.