I have just bought my 1988 Savage  (still have to collect it actually, it'll be a good 500 mile ride ... hope it won't rain ) and one thing I'm not too comfortable with is the belt drive. It's recent, having donne no more than 1000 miles in the last three years, but not being able to gauge the wear makes me uneasy.
Also, converting to chain drive would allow me to modify the final drive ratio anything from +5% to +10%, meaning lower revs at cruising speed (and possibly better mileage figures)
Remember, mine's a 4 speed.

Maurizio

If you're set on a chain drive, check out this post by Kropatchek found by searching on the phrase "chain".  It has other links and searches to several previous discussions.

OK right.
Thanks.
I got kind of curious because I found a german ad on ebay selling the kit for 179E. instead of 199E. - keep in mind the exchange rate plus shipping overseas to the US for the rest of you, so that would tally up to an easy US$250-270.
On the other hand, I assume the engine block is not very dissimilar from the enduro bikes, DR600 - 750 - 800, so a full choice of front sprockets should be available. Rear sprocket I'm sure we can all find.

Maurizio

FYI - the rear hub for an LS650 cross references with the rear hub for a 1989 Suzuki DR-750, which has a chain final drive. I believe the part number is 64110-24B00 at Anderson Vintage Parts. I't may be possible to bolt a DR-750 sprocket to the hub of an LS650. As for the front sprocket I have no clue - maybe a DR front sprocket is a bolt-on as well.

Hello All,

I have been absent from the forum lately because of a combination of factors:
- An excessive workload;
- A new cubicle partner, my supervisor!!!!
- My ride is in my friendly mechanic's shop, with its head and cylinder spread over a bench (blew a valve seat and the seats, valve guides and chain are being fixed/replaced) for almost 1 1/2 months now (still another two weeks before it's ready, not time to do spare parts shopping);
- Bought new piston rings, for a Yamaha XT550 (just needed to machine one of the piston grooves) and bore the cylinder inside for a nice polished look;
- I've been driving the cage lately (su*cks);
- and to make it all even worse, Spring started yesterday!!!!

The chain conversion is easy to do, a few guys here have LS650s and do not like belts, used the DR sprockets, just make sure you measure everything before buying/installing.

Best,

RW

mpescatori wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:09:


Hello Maurizio,

As far as I know, the XT550 piston rings are almost a direct swap with my LS400's rings, only a little expansion of the piston grooves is required....

Best,

RW

Welcome to the world of SAVAGES.

Look through the forum carefully, set the search function on 50 or even more days and you will find solutions/anwers to all your remarks and questions you might have.

Greetz
Kropatchek

i personally believe the cons out weigh the pros on this issue, and i speak from experience on this matter.

my last ride was an 81 gn400, the precurser to the savage line, i put 98,000 miles on it in 23 years.

i ate up as many chains as i did rear tires.  these machines  have so much torque the wide belt was required, wider than any harley i've seen.  

now if you just putter around and take it easy a chain would be ok.

then comes the left side shock mount off set, a chain would amplify that large gap.

then theres the constant lubrication, and adjustment.  you will be yanking out links monthly if you ride hard.

now if i was building a show bike out of a savage, it would be a different story.  hardtail struts, chain drive,
ect.    

just my opinion, like an a$$ hole, every body's got one, they all stink.