SuzukiSavage.com - Print Page

SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl
General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Thank you to the community
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1711150765

Message started by Surviving Philly on 03/22/24 at 16:39:24

Title: Thank you to the community
Post by Surviving Philly on 03/22/24 at 16:39:24

I just want to thank this community for all of the support and knowledge. I'm quite literally half way finished my build -- back end is next.

This forum thought me how to completely re-wire the bike.

It thought me how to mount a Sportster tank.

It thought me everything I need to know about this motor.

I really just wanted to say thanks. Any questions about my weirdo franken bike I'm more than happy to answer.

Appreciate you all

Title: Re: Thank you to the community
Post by ohiomoto on 03/22/24 at 16:59:25

I see it. I'm digging it.

It would have been weird if you said " -- FRONT end is next."

Title: Re: Thank you to the community
Post by Surviving Philly on 03/22/24 at 17:05:47

The plan over this summer is welding a low clearance fender to the swingarm on the front, mounts on the rear axle for the back connected to a sissy bar. Relocating rear brake lights and turn signals and license plate to the sissy bar.

Have to teach myself how to use a Mig welder first. Which I am going to succeed in. Before I thought I couldn't, now I think why can't I?

Title: Re: Thank you to the community
Post by ohiomoto on 03/22/24 at 19:15:19

You can learn a lot on YouTube. Welding Tips and Tricks is a great resource. Much of the content goes beyond backyard fabrication but you'll at least understand what a good weld is.

I went back and fixed my last post. ;)

Title: Re: Thank you to the community
Post by Ruttly on 03/23/24 at 08:31:03

I admit I’m not the best at welding. But when I was building my tracker , doing a mock up. There it was my left shock was way out in left field as if it was waiting for a fly ball. With the chain conversion I had lot of room to move it inward. New upper & lower mounts , no longer looking for a pop up.
Someone had told me once , “We set our own limits” , since then I have no limits !

Title: Re: Thank you to the community
Post by ThumperPaul on 03/25/24 at 06:47:47

I've appreciated your questions and comments, SurvivingPhilly.

The rear fender looks like somebody has been doing target practice! ;D ;)

Title: Re: Thank you to the community
Post by zevenenergie on 03/25/24 at 09:52:35

I like the style Surviving Philly.

And I have a question, What kind of brake do you have on there?

http://https://i.imgur.com/lIYHUH3m.png

Title: Re: Thank you to the community
Post by ThumperPaul on 03/25/24 at 10:10:34

76697A69626962697E6B65690C0 wrote:

I like the style Surviving Philly.

And I have a question, What kind of brake do you have on there?

A holy one!

http://https://i.imgur.com/lIYHUH3m.png

Title: Re: Thank you to the community
Post by zevenenergie on 03/25/24 at 10:21:42

I want one...

Title: Re: Thank you to the community
Post by Surviving Philly on 03/25/24 at 10:33:22

EBC brake rotor was about $130 us from parts giant at the time.

https://www.partsgiant.com/p342028-ebc-pro-lite-brake-rotor?m=324130&f=114674&a=f-2703-126504

This purchase was because the stock rotor had serious gouges after a bad brake event like two years ago.

I'll be honest I can't say if it's made any improvement on the woefully inadequate brakes we have. I honestly can't remember the feel of the stock rotor.

Title: Re: Thank you to the community
Post by ThumperPaul on 03/25/24 at 10:40:45

My guess is that the holy rotor (ok, drilled rotor to be respectful) stays a bit cooler but doesn't really aid braking distance or feel. Maybe if you were riding the brakes downhill for miles it would aid in braking.

Dang, they want $174.44 for that rotor now!

I am considering replacing the brake line for one of these for $49.

https://us.helperformance.com/suzuki-ls650-savage-fg-pj-pt-1987-1998-hel-stainless-steel-braided-brake-lines-standard-oem-replacements

Title: Re: Thank you to the community
Post by ThumperPaul on 03/25/24 at 10:49:32

PS - Did you ever tinker with that Murray Mikuni VM36 carb? Or are you still riding with "Murray's recipe" of 27.5 pilot, 165 main, circlip in the 2nd from the top groove on the needle?

You have a very similar exhaust as mine. I went up to a 200 main - runs good, solid WOT, but probably a little big. I haven't been able to do any real gas mileage testing yet. Just started tracking this week. I never rode the bike with the 165 main jet and just took some guidance here and went up to the 200. When I get bored, I'll probably put a 190 main in there and experiment.

Title: Re: Thank you to the community
Post by Surviving Philly on 03/25/24 at 11:03:05

You know I was actually thinking about you last week when I rebuilt the carb (again) due to it sitting for a couple months while doing these front end mods. Never read the jets, couldn't find a magnifier. Next time I'm in there I'll make it a priority.

I'll say this -- the cable and tube he provided were awful quality, fell apart, there was tons of slack in the throttle and I rode it that way for like 2 years. On the new bars I have a generic Harley tube like this one:

https://www.lowbrowcustoms.com/products/cycle-standard-chrome-single-cable-chopper-custom-throttle-assembly-1-inch

Got a new cable it's been a huge quality of life improvement. Totally snappy, fine response. I've gotten a lot better with tuning the air mix/ idle screw and I don't have any complaints currently as far as the jetting goes. Also adjusting the valves and straight up removing the decompression solenoid the bike turns over REALLY fast. Like weirdly fast. Even on a morning like today when it was 35 degrees when I left for work this morning.

Title: Re: Thank you to the community
Post by ThumperPaul on 03/25/24 at 11:20:56

Yeah, Murray defended his cable twice to me and said "nobody else has ever mentioned a problem". After sending multiple pictures and discussions, he finally agreed with me. He ended up making 2 cables for me because the first one he sent was still too long. After arguing about the throttle tube, elbows, and other items, and more photos, he finally made one to MY specifications that works and fits right.

So, you still have the 165 main jet and you think it's fine??? Shaking my head.... You're either missing out on some top end WOT or I'm wasting gas. :-? :o

I'm going off Lancer's guidance of a 200 main (but he's also offered other guidance of 170-200). So, that's confusing.... I've compared Lancer's VM36 specs to Murray's VM36 specs and they are the same (slide cutaway, air bleed, jet needle, etc).

For now, I'm just happy Woody is running good and I've finally eliminated the oil leak at the stator wire exit (took 3 gasket tries, some strategic RTV placement - 3rd time's the charm I guess)....

Title: Re: Thank you to the community
Post by Surviving Philly on 03/25/24 at 11:48:39

You know, I may try the 200 -- I do feel a slight dead zone at WOT but I've been attributing this to the clutch....

Title: Re: Thank you to the community
Post by ThumperPaul on 03/25/24 at 14:03:25

The nice thing about the VM36 carb is that you can change the main jet without removing the carb. Just drain the float bowl and you can access the main jet through the bottom access cover in the bottom of the float bowl. If I remember correctly, the main jet has a 6mm hex head. A 1/4" ratchet with a short extension works good. You might have to put your finger in the air intake side of the carb and hold the jet needle down while you unscrew the main jet (or more likely, when installing the new main jet). Also, put a shop towel below the carb in case you happen to drop the jet. (I know from experience....it can and will fall down into never-never land somewhere if you don't.) :-/

Title: Re: Thank you to the community
Post by Surviving Philly on 03/25/24 at 16:08:05

Huh.... Interesting. I never considered trying to change the jet with the carb mounted. Maybe I'll get on this sooner rather than later and report back. Very interesting.

Title: Re: Thank you to the community
Post by ThumperPaul on 03/25/24 at 17:01:57

Sounds good. I need to get some test miles and fuel economy measures using the 200 main before I experiment with going down to a 190 and trying it. I don't run WOT that often - just don't want to be too lean and hot.