SuzukiSavage.com - The Death of a Savage

WD

Serious Thumper
2005 No Login

Offline

Professional
"scooter
trash".

Posts: 5207
Rosemark TN
Gender: male

Re: The Death of a Savage
Reply #30 - 03/02/06 at 21:53:51

In any production run, there are going to be some "culls" that slip through. If you've been in the Savage scene for a few years (I joined Bert's old board in 1998), you might remember how FEW of these bikes have catastrophically failed. 2 or 3 fires, likely due to the cut rate fuel hose (costs 15 CENTS to fix that glitch). 3 or 4 blown con rods. A few failed CDIs (no biggie, it's $10 worth of parts from Radio Shack). A few busted timing chains.

All in all, a suprisingly strong showing from what is basically a low rent entry level bike. I still like AND trust mine...
-WD

Back to top

On 2 wheels since 7/87

Black and Chrome 2003 1950s style custom

IP Logged

Bugscraper

Full Member
2004 No Login

Offline

I love YaBB 1G -
SP1!

Posts: 130

Gender: male

Re: The Death of a Savage
Reply #31 - 03/02/06 at 22:21:23

WD wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:03:

In any production run, there are going to be some "culls" that slip through. If you've been in the Savage scene for a few years (I joined Bert's old board in 1998), you might remember how FEW of these bikes have catastrophically failed. 2 or 3 fires, likely due to the cut rate fuel hose (costs 15 CENTS to fix that glitch). 3 or 4 blown con rods. A few failed CDIs (no biggie, it's $10 worth of parts from Radio Shack). A few busted timing chains.

All in all, a suprisingly strong showing from what is basically a low rent entry level bike. I still like AND trust mine...
-WD

You're probly right. Sounds like the voice of reason to me.

Back to top

IP Logged

tjhart

Ex Member

Re: The Death of a Savage
Reply #32 - 03/03/06 at 07:23:16

So here's a question from a non-mechanic to all the experienced mechanics out there (be it professional or shade tree):

With all these mods available to increase the HP of the Savage, is it possible that they are pushing the engine beyond the tolerances for which it was designed? Might that be a contributing factor to these thrown rods? ???

Back to top

IP Logged

Reelthing

Serious Thumper
Alliance Member

Offline

Fish or ride that is
the question

Posts: 5397
Houston,Tx
Gender: male

Re: The Death of a Savage
Reply #33 - 03/03/06 at 09:20:53

Possible I guess however it's not the bottom end on these engines that look a little weak to me - and of the higher HP engines here I do not see them posting about a thrown rod - to me carb rejet, freer flow pipe and air intake is just tune'n - bored to near 700cc , reground camshaft, opening up the ports, and such like that creates a good deal more HP and so far those engines seem to hanging in there

Back to top

IP Logged

mmosel Senior Member 2005 No Login Offline My bike is officially THUMPING now. Posts: 415 NW Oregon Gender:	Re: The Death of a Savage Reply #34 - 03/03/06 at 23:11:13 what would be the ideal replacement rod for the savage? What type of material? I wonder if it's possible to either have some made or find an aftermarket that would fit?
Back to top	IP Logged

klx650sm2002 Serious Thumper Offline The more I learn the less I know. Posts: 2041 Cumbria,England Gender:	Re: The Death of a Savage Reply #35 - 03/05/06 at 03:01:54 I have a Carrillo rod for my SR 500 project. It's possible they do a rod for the Savage. Clive W
Back to top	IP Logged

John O'Neill Guest	Re: The Death of a Savage Reply #36 - 03/05/06 at 13:58:49 ??? What if anything do these bike with thrown rods have in common? What years were they and what mods were made to each? What muffler, carb jetting and so on. I am not trying to blame this on anything, I just want to know if there is anything I can try to do to prevent a problem with mine. John O'Neill
Back to top	IP Logged

WD

Serious Thumper
2005 No Login

Offline

Professional
"scooter
trash".

Posts: 5207
Rosemark TN
Gender: male

Re: The Death of a Savage
Reply #37 - 03/05/06 at 20:10:23

They were all second generation, 98-01s. As for preventing it, not much. Keep the oil clean (frequent changes), run the right weight for ambient conditions, keep the tires at or within 3 psi of sidewall maximum pressure. Any and everything you can do to keep the stress on the engine lower. Oh, and run the belt with a much lower tension level than the factory states.

My Savage is set hyper lean, has a basically open exhuast, and regularly saw 100+ mph runs. When I replace the gas tank and front brake hose, it will again.
-WD

Back to top

On 2 wheels since 7/87

Black and Chrome 2003 1950s style custom

IP Logged