Lets start a discussion of a Chopper Project here, so that we don't have to hunt and peck for items all over this fantastic Message Board.  Ideas for discussion:  frame building and shops that can build frames for us, front ends, 21 inch wheels, custom body work, seats, handlebars, etc.

i,m curently working on my savage and am considering having a frame done and converting to chain drive.having the chain will make it alot easier to go with a custom frame or a prefab that will require some engine mount mods.i like the idea of maybe 4inch stretch in downtube and backbone.stretch tank,6-8 over in tubes maybe 40 total in rake,about 37 in neck and 3 in tree.alot of work..still in process of rebuilding carb and saving for raask drag pipe.if i never get the rigid i,m considering the seegar cycle chop kit and keeping rear shocks.
sandblasting all tin this week to repaint havent foung a site with house of koulor paint chips to view for an idea on what color to paint it,let me know what ideas you are kicking around.mario

Greg, just a few modifications that I've done to my 87 Savage. I have a 8inch over wide springer. I made a spoon seat and I also have a sportster gas tank. I removed all of the safety electrical stuff...narrowed it down to just the spark ignitor, coil, regulator and starter. I've eliminated the decompression switch (I put a lever on that I can manually push by hand) I eliminated the neutral switch, the clutch pull switch, kickstand switch, solenoid and timer switches...etc. I have a hand drawn schematic if any wants a copy. As for reverting back to chain drive I also have a Suzuki gs primary and sprocket gear that fits on the savage easily(If I decide to go with a rigid frame. I also moved my forward controls 4 inches forward. (I'm 6 feet tall and stock was crampy) I also made a custom cam chain adjuster since the Savages is poorly desighned (when it gets to it;s limit, it falls apart) I have pics of my scooter. Just send me your email adress.
ChopperDan in Connecticut

Glad to see you all replying!  I recently bought a Savage frame on eBay and shipped it to Mike Stansell of STANSELL CYCLE WORKS, INC. in York, South Carolina.  His email is jstan1234@bellsouth.net

Mike has been interested in building a custom frame for a Savage but was waiting to get his hands on the actuall frame to use as a template, well soon he will have one, (thank you very much).

I have a 1999 Savage and am wondering if there have been any major design changes in the frame, or can he use the frame as a template and build a frame which mounts will work for all Savage years?  Can someone confirm that, I know the Clymer Service Manuals for the Savage come in something like 1986 to 1988 and 1995 to 2003, wonder if anythnig major has changed with the frame?

I am having Mike weld me a rigid frame, but I am still trying to decide what stretch and rake I want, I think if we put our heads together and decide on some specs, (keeping safety in mind) Mike can use the same jig to weld some frames for us.

I am on the fence in terms of what I want to do with my project.  Should I take all the stock parts off the Savage and just move them over to the new stretched rigid frame?  Or, should I customize the hell out of it?

Your thoughts and suggestions greatly appreciated,
Greg

The Savages made -86-88 have 4 gears, the rest have 5. (Wonder why...4 is absolutely ok with this engine)
Nothing has changed with the frame.
Personally I would not consider changing from beltdrive to chain, since the belt is one of the best advantages with this bike. If there was any 650 thumper with shaft drive, I'd buy it. Anyway, Seeger Cucles sell a wideglide-kit that is German-made by FS-Chopper. I recommend it.
Good luck with your projects !
Peter

how about 40 degree rake 37 in the frame and 3 in the tree,3-4 inch stretch in backbone and same in down tube for that old world chopper look. tall and stretched.
choppers inc.com has some really cool handlebars,i have got lots of web sites in my fav file if you are looking for anything in particular let me know i may be able to save you some time. later dude.mario

Greg wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:02:


Here is a link that may help, pretty reasonably priced. http://www.design-cycle.com/design2003/japanese_rigids.asp

You can  post a url of an image  http://www.angelfire.com/rnb/thehoghunter/cs13.jpg

You can also post an image (it's still has to be set up to a url unless you send the image to the hostmaster and he/she tells you the link to get to it on this server) but if the picture is big, it's going to be a pain for those trying to read the forum.


You can set up a free web page at many sites ( angelfire.com is one) to put your pictures on.