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Message started by govmule84 on 06/14/07 at 15:24:34

Title: Alrighty...chopper time.
Post by govmule84 on 06/14/07 at 15:24:34

Hi everyone.
Okay, I got the beast back to beautiful from 'er wreck. Lemme tell you what I got, and I what I wanna do. I'm riding a '96. It's got a K&N filter, a handbuilt shotgun pipe, jets, Dynojet adjustable needle, and lovely custom paint (a Chrysler color...Tangering Pearl Kote. I think it came on some of the newer Liberties....it's sort of a metallic rust color.) I'm comfortable with the motor as is...it's a little peppy, sounds good, and I am not too worried I'm sending too much power to parts not designed for it.

Now, this sounds nuts, but bear with me. I scraped up a turn signal. I hate turn signals and mirrors. I'm gonna chop em. It looks like the forks have to come down to get those front sigs off. Fine. But I thought, why not slap some different forks on? I have seen some folks around here with 4" over forks, and their motors look to sit nice and level...it doesn't have the standard 'Jacked Up' look that un-chopped bikes with longer forks have.

Where are you guys getting these things? What do they cost? Do I just order a new set of forks and slap 'em in there with a longer brake line? If someone could nudge me some rough directions and vendors, I'd be pretty pleased. I've not seen anything in the tech section, and I searched all last night for articles on it in the search function, and came up pretty dry. Any help is appreciated.

Title: Re: Alrighty...chopper time.
Post by vroom1776 on 06/14/07 at 15:29:10

I think your asking about the seeger cycles kit. jrm### has one on his. Basically it's a raked tree and longer tubes. otheriwse, you're talking about cutting the neck and getting longer fork tubes, or possibly going with a new tripple tree (besies the seeger kit).

Title: Re: Alrighty...chopper time.
Post by tuxedo on 06/14/07 at 18:18:08

if you want the front sigs off without taking the tubes off, it can happen. I just inserted a flat screwdriver and twisted enough space for a wrecking bar. Twisted enough space to break the mount.

Title: Re: Alrighty...chopper time.
Post by hutch on 06/14/07 at 19:26:41

You don't want one of those Seeger kits unless you got money to burn. From your post I am getting that you don't want to add to the rake, just put the front up higher by using longer forks. If that is the case you can get a set of forks from Franks Forks. They have been building forks since the 60's. They no longer will build the real long ones. 2" over and 4" over is as long as they will go. That should give you the level motor look. They changed their name a little different, so I will see if I can get a line on them and get back to you. Hutch http://www.frankmain.qpg.com/ There you go!!!

Title: Re: Alrighty...chopper time.
Post by Rockin_John on 06/14/07 at 21:54:49

Hutch is right about the Forks by Frank. The Savage already has 35º of rake, and a set of their 4" over forks doesn't look too "jacked up." I really like the extra inch or two of ground clearance. It will also help when I go to put stretched forward controls on later. Here's mine:

http://catoosatrading.com/images/vehicles/cycles/my_ls650/savage_061307/P6130001.JPG

In it's current incarnation. Yup, longer tubes and a good long stainless steel brake line will pretty much do it... well, you do have to make a longer spring spacer to go on top of the fork springs. You might get Frank's to include that item on special request. And if you want the tall risers/bars you also may have to splice the wiring, and get longer cables. I think Lancer can help with the long cables, but I have a local shop that does them cheap. Last I asked, Frank's was getting about $250 for a set of tubes (that's cheap). But the long SS brake lines aren't cheap ($50?).

That's still a heckuva lot cheaper than the $1500-$1600 Seeger kit with all the kicked out triple trees on funky ball joints, and 12"-18"stretched legs etc... which, according to Frank, are dangerous at that angle/length. I'm likely to take his word for it. He's been making extended fork tubes for just about everyone since the 60s. He will only make 2" over for heavy bikes now, but since the Savage is so light, He'll still make 4" overs for it.

I've done the math on my 4" over legs, and the trail is around 7", with my 1" shortened rear shocks, and it handles very good. Seating is more comfortable too with the leaned back feel on the seat/butt. It ain't no road racer, but VERY comfortable cruising with the right height handlebars.

Happy chopping!

Title: Re: Alrighty...chopper time.
Post by Rockin_John on 06/14/07 at 22:07:24

Oh... as far as getting rid of turn signals, here is an alternative that allows for some safety, without the big ugly stock lights:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=016&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=260128501054&rd=1,1

I also suspect that it won't be long before some john law explains to you how it isn't legal to ride with no rear view mirror at all... so good luck there.

Title: Re: Alrighty...chopper time.
Post by govmule84 on 06/15/07 at 01:04:01

Two hundred and fifty bills plus a brake line and I got me a chopper. Solid.

Turn signals? Mirrors? It's a chopper, dude! "Chopping" is the name of the game, I thought.

I hate sigs and mirrors. I don't run em.

I am a licensed inspector in MO...not necessary here to pass inspection.

Thank you all for all the help.

Title: Re: Alrighty...chopper time.
Post by YonuhAdisi on 06/15/07 at 12:22:29

Rockin_John wrote:

Can you provide more of a side view? I want a real good look of how much the front end sticks out. I have decided that I am going with the chopper look as well and if I can get the look I want with just longer forks that is what I'm gonna do.

Title: Re: Alrighty...chopper time.
Post by Rockin_John on 06/18/07 at 14:27:57

YonuhAdisi wrote:

Sorry for the slow response time, I'm juggling too many things... I think this is a view that would let you see what you want:

http://catoosatrading.com/images/vehicles/cycles/my_ls650/savage_061307/P6130004.JPG
http://catoosatrading.com/images/P4130021.JPG
Remember to right click and choose "view" to see the picture full sized.

Also, anyone is welcome to surf the whole folder of images on my web site by going up and down the folder hierarchy. Here:

http://catoosatrading.com/images/

Just please nobody complain about subject matter that is graphic or adult in nature. No real gore or hard-core porn, but just a friendly warning that there are a very few ... "different" pictures amongst my eclectic collection. ;D

Title: Re: Alrighty...chopper time.
Post by srinath on 06/20/07 at 07:31:07

Is the frame even chopped on this bike ???
Looks so clean.
I got some 8 inch longer forks and was all set to chop away this week.
If its not needed, I'll not chop ... always can do it later.
Thanks for all your input.
Cool.
Srinath.

Title: Re: Alrighty...chopper time.
Post by Rockin_John on 06/20/07 at 07:48:58

srinath wrote:

Frame is stock 35º rake. Just 4" over tubes installed. Well... and rear shocks are dropped a bit over an inch. Rides and handles great, with the exception that I weigh 250+ and our badly potholed roads around here cause the suspension to bottom occasionally (rear much worse than front). I'm still considering putting stock, or taller, shocks back on it. I hate it when the suspension bottoms.

However, if you try to use 8" extended tubes without adding rake to the frame, or using something like one of the Seeger kits, you will end up with a trail of more than 8" which is getting too high. With that much trail the bike will handle poorly in anything but a straight line. Take about 40 acres to turn around too... ;-)

Title: Re: Alrighty...chopper time.
Post by vroom1776 on 06/20/07 at 09:17:35

RJ,

How did you drop the stock shocks?

V

Title: Re: Alrighty...chopper time.
Post by srinath on 06/20/07 at 10:17:27

OK got it. Dont chop the frame, leave the rear shock stock ... man you guys are making it easy.
Cool.
Srinath.

Title: Re: Alrighty...chopper time.
Post by Rockin_John on 06/20/07 at 11:47:16

vroom1776 wrote:

RJ,

How did you drop the stock shocks?

V

Wish I knew, I'd tell ya, but they were done when I got it. I was under the impression that the stock shocks were non-rebuildable and couldn't be pulled apart. Just at a glance it looks like all the coils are there on the springs, but I haven't looked down in there with an inspection mirror. And the shock itself (inside the springs) looks just like the stock ones on my 87... so I assume they are original. Also I doubt anyone used heat like guys used to use a torch and blocks under their cars to do a cheap drop job; because that would blue the chrome on these springs and probably ruin the shock cartridge. I think someone knows something we don't! ;-)

Maybe they just had some great-big-ol-boy sit on it real hard a few times~ ;D

Title: Re: Alrighty...chopper time.
Post by srinath on 07/09/07 at 19:16:04

Your pics are in the gallery ???
I need to see and compare, mine is starting to take shape.
Cool.
Srinath.

Title: Re: Alrighty...chopper time.
Post by YonuhAdisi on 07/12/07 at 19:45:00

I am very sure this has been asked before but I have tried the search function and didn't get a clear cut answer.

What is the OD of the Savage fork tubes, and will tubes from another bike (preferable with longer tubes) fit into the Savage's triple trees?

Title: Re: Alrighty...chopper time.
Post by verslagen1 on 07/12/07 at 21:58:32

The fork tube diameters are 38mm

took me about 10 min to search for the answer even though I already knew the answer. So don't feel bad.

Title: Re: Alrighty...chopper time.
Post by vroom1776 on 07/13/07 at 06:37:35

Title: Re: Alrighty...chopper time.
Post by allan on 07/13/07 at 11:10:00

YonuhAdisi wrote:

will tubes from another bike (preferable with longer tubes) fit into the Savage's triple trees?

we currently are looking at a dr650 which by all accounts will fit the stock trees and should give about 4 inchs in length,

allan.

Title: Re: Alrighty...chopper time.
Post by justin_o_guy on 07/15/07 at 08:31:24

vroom1776 wrote:

anyone know what the fork ID is? I would like to replace the fork springs with progressive rate ones. or better yet, derake the neck and add a short springer.

I cant walk past a springer without stopping & gawking.

Title: Re: Alrighty...chopper time.
Post by srinath on 07/15/07 at 18:15:59

allan wrote:

we currently are looking at a dr650 which by all accounts will fit the stock trees and should give about 4 inchs in length,

allan.

DR650 prolly has 43 mm legs. I slapped a KX500 triple set (fits into the savage neck bearings and is long enough for the top triple to fit on the stem - huge problem), and am running YZ250 legs and wheel and disk etc. Had to make 2.5 mm spacer ... I had to do that, it was all I found unbroken at my local junkyard.
Presumably, whole DR 650 front end, triples and stem and all will fit the savage ... Just make sure the stem is long enough for the top triple to fit. Savage is 7 and 3/8 th inch from top triple to bottom triple. Incontrast, my GS500 is 5 and 1/2. Almost all street bikes, and most dirt bikes are too short.
Cool.
Srinath.

Title: Re: Alrighty...chopper time.
Post by chuck on 07/15/07 at 19:32:08

Just by the way, the Suzuki Marauder (2001) has a -longer- stem, much to my chagrin, by about an inch.

Also the top and bottom bearings are identical to our Savage ones but the stem itself (when you press it out of the bottom tree) is just so slightly thicker than the savage stem. This means the savage stem isn't an interference fit into the marauder tree, but is barely loose. At least for the stems and trees I've got anyway.

Which is a bother to me as I want to use the Marauder upside-down forks and trees with the savage stem so I don't have to mess with the neck of the savage frame.

My two options-- a) build up the savage stem, b) turn down the marauder stem. I'm going to go with a.

Title: Re: Alrighty...chopper time.
Post by Rockin_John on 07/15/07 at 20:40:04

allan wrote:

we currently are looking at a dr650 which by all accounts will fit the stock trees and should give about 4 inchs in length,

allan.

More important than the increase of 4" in length, the DR tubes should give much more suspension travel.

I wouldn't mind having a set of DR tubes on the front of a Savage, and some 13" or so shocks on the back. But even jacking the back end up with high shocks, and/or relocating their mounts on the swingarm won't be enough... with forks that will travel as much as ones from the DR, the rake really should be reduced a few degrees.

Title: Re: Alrighty...chopper time.
Post by Rockin_John on 07/15/07 at 21:38:46

I was hoping the DR tubes would fit too, but upon looking it up, the above poster is right. DR uses 43mm and Savage 38mm. Too bad, but there may be some long travel 38mm legs to fit.

Title: Re: Alrighty...chopper time.
Post by srinath on 07/16/07 at 07:22:30

The whole dirt bike front end swap ... its possible, but dirt bike suspensions are like 12-16 inches of travel and the bikes weigh what, 250 lbs ... its going to be like riding through potato salad.
You're going to need massive increase in preload, and prolly get it re built with 20wt fluid at a minimum.
Its also closer to 6-8 inches longer and just slapping it on, tips the bikeover so much that the neck is~42 degrees, up from a 33 (and that is as the bike stands right now) without modding the suspension.
Oh yea, its literally on its side with it on the side stand.
Cool.
Srinath.

Title: Re: Alrighty...chopper time.
Post by Rockin_John on 07/16/07 at 10:07:03

Srinath, all what you're saying might be true if using a "modern day" dirt bike or enduro front fork legs with their huge amount of travel and length; but what about some legs from the 70s? You'd get a lot less travel and less of a spongy feel to the suspension; but also it wouldn't raise the front so high. I'd be surprised if there aren't some stock OEM 38mm fork tubes of a reasonable length and travel which could be made to work.

I'd hate to get into a deal of having to lengthen the frame tube, or shorten the stem, and a lot of tree mods... but the reality is that the frame would need other alterations anyways.

I wonder what trees and fork tubes are on this Savage:

http://catoosatrading.com/images/vehicles/cycles/savage_pics/2005_borile_ls_scrambler.jpg

Title: Re: Alrighty...chopper time.
Post by srinath on 07/16/07 at 10:35:22

I dunno ... but the swap with trees and stems is easy. Get a DR 350 through 650 and its almost direct bolt in, just need spacers the adjuster collars can be added for that purpose too. Like get a DR FE with an extra adjusting collar.
Cool.
Srinath.

Title: Re: Alrighty...chopper time.
Post by Rockin_John on 07/16/07 at 14:06:51

I have been watching eBay for likely candidate parts to swap onto the Savage from other bikes... And I've noticed that lots of the dirt bike parts go for a lot of money compared to old street bike parts. I suppose its just supply and demand, since the dirt bike guys are so likely to bend something and need a replacement, it makes the supply short, and the demand high.

We're lucky in that way with our stock Savage parts, as I've had real good luck finding parts reasonable. Some of them from folks in this group.

Title: Re: Alrighty...chopper time.
Post by YonuhAdisi on 07/16/07 at 14:48:11

I know a guy here in my town that has a lot of old salvage bikes, that's where I got my new/used tank. I really need to look him up again and see what he's got that might fit the Savage.

Title: Re: Alrighty...chopper time.
Post by srinath on 07/16/07 at 21:41:18

One more point about dirt bike parts ...
Dirt bikes are usually owned by kids or other people who literally ride and ride and ride and never ever maintain it.
Just cos its got dirt in the name doesn't mean its meant to live in the dirt all the time.
I have had the whole hub of the front wheel shatter while trying to knock the axle out ... had this beautiful upside down FE, only to have 3 of the 4 lower triple bolts strip and never come off, and the steering stem tore and didn't come off ...
I had to tear open 10 different bikes to get 1 useable combo.
But ... 84-89 KX500 ... everything will fit straight in if you got one as a unit. Wont cost ya more than 200 ... if ever I find it at my local place.
Cool.
Srinath.

Title: Re: Alrighty...chopper time.
Post by YonuhAdisi on 07/17/07 at 17:53:25

srinath wrote:

Are you saying that an 84-89 KX500 trees and forks will bolt directly onto the Savage frame without mods?

Title: Re: Alrighty...chopper time.
Post by srinath on 07/17/07 at 20:47:24

84-89 KX500 handle bars down all the way to front wheel ... straight in ... yes will fit a savage.
Item/s you'd have to make/source - a neck spacer. Its steering stem is ~ 1/4 inch too long. Yup, that's it, and yea its got 7/8th bars, you'd have to a slide1 inch over the grip area etc.
I am planning to string up the bike tommorow for rear tire fit. I'll take a pic or 10 ... but remember, mine has YZ250 legs and wheel and what ever ... that was all I found. The KX stuff shattered ... would have been so cool if I had KX, KX has double axle drop outs ... YZ has 1 ... and I have to fiddle with fork brake (yet to be fabbed up) if I wanna use it ... KX, take off 8 10 mm bolts and the whole wheel axle, disk etc fall out.
Yea, but the freaking wheel shattered the darn bearing area in it.
KX top triple will even take a riser set made for a harley and teh 1 inch bar ... I had to make nylon bushings ... but I can make some for~10 bucks a pair. For a spacer use a larger neck adjustment collar. Pics ... yea pics will show you. Yea, complete with dirt bike tire, make a small L bracket and head light goes on as well.
Cool.
Srinath.

Title: Re: Alrighty...chopper time.
Post by YonuhAdisi on 07/18/07 at 12:18:55

Okay, next question, what I am looking for is to give the FireLizard a chopper look, how much longer are a KX500's forks?

Title: Re: Alrighty...chopper time.
Post by srinath on 07/18/07 at 21:02:40

As it is ~4-5 inches ... like along its legs to the ground. but its got ~6 inches of sag. You wanna keep that to~2 inches and preload or air pressure the rest. You also must make up a fork brace which will have to carry a fender too.
Cool.
Srinath.

Title: Re: Alrighty...chopper time.
Post by YonuhAdisi on 07/18/07 at 21:19:34

Thanks Srinath, I now know what I am gonna try to do. Wish me luck. ;D

Title: Re: Alrighty...chopper time.
Post by srinath on 07/19/07 at 06:14:13

How to put up pics ???
And yes best of luck - and yea I am also no where near it done.
Should I try that gallery you got.
Cool.
Srinath.

Title: Re: Alrighty...chopper time.
Post by YonuhAdisi on 07/19/07 at 19:39:34

To post pics you first have to upload them to another site such as bikepics or even myspace, then link them. There's a thread on the top here that tells you how to do it.

Title: Re: Alrighty...chopper time.
Post by srinath on 07/25/07 at 20:24:53

OK pics are here.
http://autos.ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/Be_Savage/photos/browse/23f7

Cool.
Srinath.

Title: Re: Alrighty...chopper time.
Post by Savage_Rob on 07/26/07 at 04:56:54

srinath wrote:

OK pics are here.
http://autos.ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/Be_Savage/photos/browse/23f7

Cool.
Srinath.

That only works for Yahoo! members who are logged in.

Title: Re: Alrighty...chopper time.
Post by Rockin_John on 07/26/07 at 10:33:14

srinath... for purposes of this discussion, I am hosting your pictures; which I downloaded from the Yahoo site. As mentioned, I could only look at them on Yahoo because I am on Yahoo, registered and logged in. To get your pictures to show here, I copied them to my server (also on Yahoo). But since my server space is a commercial paid for service, I can post pictures and let anyone look at them, or I can restrict them with a password at my choice. What you need to do in the future to post pictures here, is: upload your pictures to a free site like bikepics; or another which allows direct linking to the pictures (Yahoo Groups free hosting does not allow direct linking to photos they host).

Once uploaded to a site like bikepics, you just click the little picture icon at the top of the "post reply" box: fourth icon on the bottom row; then paste the URL from the location bar at the top of the browser window between the image tags. The image tags that tell the YABBC to put a picture into the message, will look like this: ]pic[ and ]/pic[ except the brackets will all be turned around the other way. I did them backwards so the board's software (YABB) wouldn't think I was actually trying to post a picture. Get it?

Anyways... I have server space and bandwidth to spare on my web site for now. So Here's your pictures:

http://catoosatrading.com/images/cycles/srinath/3b5d.jpg
http://catoosatrading.com/images/cycles/srinath/3f08.jpg
http://catoosatrading.com/images/cycles/srinath/4da6.jpg
http://catoosatrading.com/images/cycles/srinath/5b7d.jpg
http://catoosatrading.com/images/cycles/srinath/a463.jpg
http://catoosatrading.com/images/cycles/srinath/cf6d.jpg
http://catoosatrading.com/images/cycles/srinath/ef7a.jpg

Now, back to the discussion at hand:

I appreciate your showing those pics, because I have learned several things by just looking at them. First off, the trees don't have much "offset" (where the fork legs are forward of the stem/tube.) This of course will affect your whole steering geometry, as will having the leading axle: (where the axle is in front of the fork leg; instead of directly below it). Of course you are going to gain whatever extra length the new fork tubes provide, and you will be able to just put a street tire on it, and run it as-is. But those dirt bike trees aren't very pretty if someone is wanting a longer front end for their street bike/chopper. I'd still just recommend some 4" longer tubes from Frank's for a couple hundred dollars.

However, in order to make the suspension work as I might if trying to make a "street tracker" or dual sport Savage, your pictures have brought home to me the fact: that to really raise the bike up; get ground clearance, and have acceptable steering, it would be necessary to take -5º or more rake away from the fork tube angle.

Title: Re: Alrighty...chopper time.
Post by srinath on 07/26/07 at 13:09:11

5 degree ... OK it only like gained 8-9. BTW the forks are very very squishy, need tons more preload. They have 5-6 inches of sag.
I'll get it on the road and see what it feels like. If I think it can handle extra raking, I'll slice up a frame and try it.
And, no part of a used 80's dirt bike bought from a junkyard is ever going to be pretty.
Cool.
Srinath.

Title: Re: Alrighty...chopper time.
Post by Rockin_John on 07/26/07 at 14:09:27

Yeah, the 5º I mentioned was 5º LESS: If, as I've considered, building a dual purpose Savage. If you're sticking to the street, I would keep the 35º but not add any rake. As for the "squish" I'm guessing that you know that you can just put spacers in on top of the fork springs, and pre-load them more. There's just a limit to how much you can pre-load them before you have no floating travel, and they'll top out all the time. But basically, I think your setup looks cool, and is a cheap work around to the too-expensive chopper kits. All that extra travel should make it ride nice and soft too! ;D

Are you going to keep the 21" front wheel, or go back to a 19?"

Tell me that, and I can give you a rough guesstimate of what your trail aspect will be like. That is one reason the dirt bikes went to the leading axle setup years ago: to get the trail figures back into a tolerable measurement. That way dirt bikes can have a steep rake angle for quick turning, and still have enough trail to be able to steer in a straight line.

Title: Re: Alrighty...chopper time.
Post by srinath on 07/26/07 at 17:53:51

Yup on the preload. We need ~1.5 inch sag with my weight on it, but this has 5-6 inch without any weight, heck 1/2 the stuff isn't even on the bike.
I am staying with 21 wheel. Just fitting street tires.
Its definetly raked out, cos the side stand is literally a battery thickness too short (3-4 inches).
Cool.
Srinath.

Title: Re: Alrighty...chopper time.
Post by YonuhAdisi on 07/26/07 at 22:00:42

Okay, that is exactly the extension I am looking for for the FireLizard. Now I know what I am looking for and when I get a chance I will be going up to the guy I got my tank from and see what he has.

But before I decide on a dirtbike front end, I will taking a tape measure and see if he has any longer forks of the correct diameter that will just swap right into the Savage triple trees.

Title: Re: Alrighty...chopper time.
Post by srinath on 07/26/07 at 22:05:18

Longer = flexier. You do want the larger thicker tube cos its stronger, stiffer and what not. The 21 inch wheel is also ;D ... IMHO.
The bike is more raked than the pics make it look. Seriously, side stand is so far short, its not even funny ...
Cool.
Srinath.

Title: Re: Alrighty...chopper time.
Post by YonuhAdisi on 07/26/07 at 22:06:59

I understand what your saying, I reckon I'll just look for the KX500 front ends then, or the what did you say your front end came from? A Yamaha?

That's okay about the bike being more raked than it looks, because that is what I want. 8) 8)

Title: Re: Alrighty...chopper time.
Post by srinath on 07/26/07 at 22:47:18

If you got a full KX top to bottom - that is the best.
I have KX triples and stem, the legs on down are YZ250 yamaha. I had to make 2.5 mm spacers for brakes, wheel etc. All KX - you get to avoid that. I am looking for a KX brake caliper, if I get that, I may go to all an KX setup.
Also I believe the mid 80's KLX550 or KLE ??? or whatever 550 had 38 mm fork legs. it was a street biek and while its legs were a shade shorter than a true dirt bike, it was stiffer for springs I believe.
Cool.
Srinath.

Title: Re: Alrighty...chopper time.
Post by Rockin_John on 07/28/07 at 23:25:29

YonuhAdisi wrote:

I've had the 38mm dirt bike forks under consideration too, but I noticed that the ones I keep finding are from old 80s 125cc and 250cc dirt bikes which were probably even lighter than a Savage.

Add my 250+, I'm also seeing now that skinny 38mm legs may be alright extended 4" on my chopper; but under the rigors of dual purpose, or other performance use, it probably wouldn't be a good idea. So... I'm going to leave the 4" over 38mm on the chopper, but any Savage built for really hard riding of any kind, would probably be better off with bigger front tubes.

A quick look at the Savage's stock trees shows that there isn't enough excess metal to be machining those holes out for bigger tubes... So, it seems the logical option is to change the whole assembly out as others here here are doing with either dirt bike forks, or on the other thread, the big Marauder tubes.

Ain't parts swapping fun? ;D

Title: Re: Alrighty...chopper time.
Post by srinath on 07/29/07 at 10:07:41

Oddly a dual purpose bike needs a steeper rake. I doubt that 40+ degree on the savage will work after you slap a long travel FE on it.
Maybe raise the back 6 inches and derake it.
Cool.
Srinath.

Title: Re: Alrighty...chopper time.
Post by YonuhAdisi on 07/29/07 at 11:37:27

Well, I don't plan on using the FireLizard as a dual purpose, it will be strictly a street cruiser. So I'm not too worried about building it for rough riding in the dirt. I do want it to be strong enough to handle hard braking, and acceleration though because of the crazy cagers around here who think because they have all that metal around them they can get by with anything.

Title: Re: Alrighty...chopper time.
Post by srinath on 07/29/07 at 15:36:37

I just discovered ... I dont have a caliper for the thing, the one I got off a newer YZ doesn't fit, so I am back to square 1 - sorta ... I can make an adapter plate. 1/2 inch space there ... Ideal for an adapter plate for the thing.
Cool.
Srinath.

Title: Re: Alrighty...chopper time.
Post by YonuhAdisi on 07/29/07 at 16:38:24

Too bad you haven't been taking step by step pics of how you are building your bike. I would love to see exactly how you made the spacer for the tree stem and how you are gonna make the caliper spacer.

Title: Re: Alrighty...chopper time.
Post by srinath on 07/29/07 at 19:26:46

Stem spacer in mine is a larger stem nut off a different bike. You can take a piece of pipe and chop it, or drill a hole in a round 2 inch bar stock cut to the right thickness, or a large washer or 2 ... you can miss the thinckness by a good bit and still make out OK, tons of tightenng room on the actual collar nut and the top triple. Hardly worth documenting.
BTW, this whole project is much much much easier than the standard GS500 frame, katana front end swap. Which BTW I did concurrently and its still not done (though not due to lack of know how).
Anyway I am torn between a brake caliper adapter plate, exact 1/2 inch gap and its prefect for an adapter plate, or full on KX ... if I find a useable caliper for it and most of the missing, busted stuff.
The KX has a huge drilled disk, and double axle drop outs, the YZ disc is much smaller and thinnner and single axle drops. KX front end also is stiffer for springs than the YZ.
Single donor bike also makes for less confusion when buying parts in the future.
Cool.
Srinath.

Title: Re: Alrighty...chopper time.
Post by YonuhAdisi on 02/07/08 at 16:42:48

I've been looking around for the KX500 forks and triple trees I will be needing to chopper the FireLizard, however I'm not having much luck.

But so far I have found a couple of guys who definitely deserve the moron award.

Harley Davidson salesperson: "Harley handle bars won't fit on a Suzuki."

Kid at a bike bone yard we call Bullet Bobs.

Me: "I'm looking for the triple trees and forks off of a KX500."

Kid: "KX500? Is that a Honda?"

Me: "No, it's a Kawasaki."

Kid: "Oh, let's go inside and see what we have."

Me: "I'm gonna use them to put on my Savage to turn it into a chopper."

Kid: "So you'll need it titled? Since you're building a trike."

Me: "No I only need the forks and triple trees because I am building a Chopper "

Kid: "So you'll need the title for the trike your building."

Me: "Is Bob going to be around?"

Kid: "He had a motocross accident, he'll be laid up for a while."

Me: "Thanks, I'll see ya later."

So, who do you think deserves the moron award most?

Title: Re: Alrighty...chopper time.
Post by Reelthing on 02/07/08 at 20:30:56

likely the HD salesman, at least over time the yard kid will learn something useful

Title: Re: Alrighty...chopper time.
Post by verslagen1 on 02/07/08 at 21:20:31

For a harley guy to beleave anyone else made a cruiser, you might as well go sell refrigerators to eskimo's.

And that kid had something to sell, you just weren't buying...

So, for missing 2 obvious oportunities to play with 2 closed minds.... I nominate you bud. But I'll mark it up to temporary insanty. Gees, actually expecting someone behind the counter as being useful. ;D

Title: Re: Alrighty...chopper time.
Post by YonuhAdisi on 02/08/08 at 09:22:27

706374756A6761636837060 wrote:

Actually, after the salesman I went to the parts desk and he was actually helpful. He also expressed surprise and delight on seeing someone who is willing to modify/fabricate things to make stuff fit. We got to talking about after market tanks and such and he gave me some ideas.

Title: Re: Alrighty...chopper time.
Post by Savage_Greg on 02/08/08 at 09:58:58

Good. You brought another Harley rider back to the Light ;D

Title: Re: Alrighty...chopper time.
Post by YonuhAdisi on 02/08/08 at 12:22:46

5E4D5A5B44494F4D4619280 wrote:

So, for missing 2 obvious oportunities to play with 2 closed minds.... I nominate you bud. ;D

My wife agrees with you. I missed a golden opportunity to mess with their heads. ;) ;)

Title: Re: Alrighty...chopper time.
Post by verslagen1 on 02/09/08 at 20:02:09

734651536B020104340 wrote:

Good. You brought another Harley rider back to the Light ;D

Naw, some independant was moonlighting at the HD stealership. Must've restored his faith in humanity to talk to someone who didn't need some bling to just bolt on.