I posted this on a Yahoo group for the Savage also.

I just acquired a 1996 LS 650 with 4800 miles, 5 speed, build date Oct.
95.  I put in a new battery, spark plug, oil and filter change.  I used
2 quarts of oil as that is what the Suzuki parts guy said it took.  I
have no owner's manual, but everything else seems intact.  A couple of
questions and observations if you don't mind.

The backfiring is somewhat normal from what I have read.  I will adjust
the air fuel mixture, other than rejetting the carb is there anything
else?  How about drilling the muffler or baffles to reduce the backfire?

The other question involves a chriping sound at about 35 MPH and up.
The sound seems to come from the front disk rubbing, except if I pull
in the clutch, the sound stops, then when rolling, when I let out the
clutch, it starts the chirping sound again.

I bought the bike as a starter bike for a female friend of mine.  I've
been riding since 1974 starting out on various Hondas, Yamahas and even
an old Triumph and Sportster.  So here is my observation, it pulls
pretty good, but not like a freight train like I remember the other
Japanese brands of similar displacement.  Granted they were twins and
fours versus the single like this bike.  The handlebars leave alot to
be desired, I adjusted them more upward, but the controls can't be
moved because of a pin that fits into a hole in the handlebar, strange,
but what the heck.  I am 6 foot, so to me the handlebars seemed too low.

Thanks for listening, I will be more than happy to answer questions you
may have for me and I also hope to hear about my chirping noise that
sounds like it is coming from the front brake and why disengaging the
clutch would make it stop.

Thanks one and all.

Charley - Dallas, TX

Charley992002 wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:02:

Welcome Charlie. Drilling the baffles will make the bike leaner resulting in more deacceleration popping. Just adjust the slow mixture screw. That will help.

I know what you mean about the power compared to 70s bikes. Adding a performance muffler and rejetting really wakes up these bikes. The problem is they're jetted too lean from the factory and have a very restrictive muffler.

At 6' I imagine you will be wanting forward controls. I have a very short inseam and find the Savage a bit cramped.

Good luck and let us know if you have any questions.

and as for that stupid litte pin u can just file it down, its plastic so it's super easy.  i couldn't stand the stock bars,espescially when they would hit my knees when i turned.

Welcome Charlie!  I'm in Garland and there are a few others from the general metroplex area (and slightly beyond).  I'd agree with the above advice.  As DynoBob said, drilling the muffler would only lean the system more and increase the problem.  A rejet with an air filter and exhaust upgrade can make a big improvement in performance though and you'll find a lot of conversation, advice, cautions and examples of that on this board in a lot of previous posts.  I think Perry is probably correct about the belt chirp too.  Look around, hang out, check out Sluggo's Table in the Cafe.


Oh yeah... Please read the posting guidelines in each forum.  Thanks.