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Message started by Evanswv on 02/24/22 at 07:45:13

Title: Settings of stock rear shocks? Belt tension (
Post by Evanswv on 02/24/22 at 07:45:13

The guy I bought my Savage from was pretty small, and fit the Savage well, but I am just a little big for it .I weigh nearly 250 lbs, and I sit partially on the saddle, and partially on the square pad of the two piece seat. I can twist my drive belt like one should be able to do with my fingers, but it takes a good bit of pressure, and I wasn't really sure if it was a little tight, so I turned my shocks to the hardest setting just in case it would get too tight with excessive swing arm travel. I did this before I ever started riding the bike. I have tried to compress the bike by sitting on it to see if the belt tightens when the suspension is loaded, and can't get it to budge, and when I hit a bump ,it about breaks my back. What shock setting are you heavier riders, or riders that sit further back using ? Also how hard should it be to twist the belt 90% ? What effect does swing arm compression have on belt tension ? Thanks

Title: Re: Settings of stock rear shocks? Belt tension (
Post by Armen on 02/24/22 at 08:19:38

Stock shocks are a) junk, b) old, and c) not for your weight.
Invest in real shocks. They aren’t cheap.

Title: Re: Settings of stock rear shocks? Belt tension (
Post by Gary_in_NJ on 02/24/22 at 08:59:01

If you are compressing your shocks - say 50% just by sitting on the bike - that leaves you with about an inch of travel for ride comfort. And being that the OEM spring rate was chosen for a rider that is 140-150 pounds you can understand why your bike has a punishing ride. Worse, the OEM shouck has Zero/nada/0/no damping control - so it's motions are largely uncontrolled. The OEM shocks are truly the worse shocks available.

At full compression, the belt is very tight.

Title: Re: Settings of stock rear shocks? Belt tension (
Post by Evanswv on 02/24/22 at 13:07:56

7F75717B70797D742A2C28180 wrote:

I don't think I am compressing the shocks hardly all . I have tried to intentionally compress it just to see how tight the belt gets, and can't. It just seems like what,I would imagine a hard tail being. I guess I probably shouldn't have them on the highest setting. If I do adjust them down a little should I loosen the belt ? I can twist a section 90% with my fingers, but can tell I couldn't turn it much,if any further.

Title: Re: Settings of stock rear shocks? Belt tension (
Post by ckahleer on 02/24/22 at 14:01:55

Instead of laying across the seat, use a ratchet strap over the rear seat connected both sides to the swingarm or axle.(protect the seat with something).
I can find pairs of shocks on eBay ranging from $50 - $800. I don't need the best, but don't want junk either. What must a heavy rider pay for a "good enough" pair of shocks? Suggestions?

Title: Re: Settings of stock rear shocks? Belt tension (
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 02/24/22 at 16:18:42

If the belt is noisy, it's probably too tight. You are not going to make it hop teeth. Try running it loose enough for a fifth grade girl to twist it 90*.
Just because the belt isn't squealing doesn't mean you don't want better shocks.
Have a look at the end cap. They turn. Set them to compress the spring as much as they can.

Title: Re: Settings of stock rear shocks? Belt tension (
Post by ohiomoto on 02/24/22 at 19:18:06

I'm heavier than you and run the stock shocks. I run them one less than the highest preload setting. Yeah, the stock suspension is nuts, but I don't care. It rides "good enough" for my needs.

I have low'ish expectations for this bike. It suits my needs just fine and I enjoy riding it even if it is a bit crude. If I want something better, I'll just buy a better bike.

Title: Re: Settings of stock rear shocks? Belt tension (
Post by Evanswv on 02/24/22 at 20:11:57

5C5B5A5C5E5C475C330 wrote:

I feel much the same about my bike. I like the way the engine pulls, and I am enjoying it. I was raised on single cylinder bikes both 2, and 4 stroke, and have a street Enduro now, that I enjoy. I always noticed these bikes coming up for sale every once in a while ,and priced cheaper than the other bikes of similar displacement, and I just figured it was because of them being a thumper. I almost bought a Suzuki C50 Boluvard before I bought the Savage. The guy lived in town were every 60,or 70 yards there is a 4 way stop, and all the corners were 90 degree turns on narrow streets, and I hated the bulk of the bike. I was warned about getting a Sportster, because of their small size, and I realize the Savage is even smaller, and that I probably look funny on it, but I don't care. My main concern on the Savage was the fact that it was belt driven, which I realize now that it is probably better than chain drive for my use. I probably would have been a little apprehensive on buying a Savage, and may have steered clear of them if I had known about the timing chain issue. I guess I got a good deal on mine, because it has low miles, and pretty new battery, and tires, but I know I will have to eventually extend the tensioner. I personally can't justify spending too much money on improvements to the bike,other than the basics for safety, and maintenance. I have so far just re-jetted ,and did the needle spacer mod, and put bags on it, which look good, but I will probably replace them with a big set that I picked up used. I will turn the shocks down a notch when I take it out again.