Been lurken -n- readen ya'll since August. Bought my 97 savage then and soon found this site.She had 3ooo on her when I gat her and I've put 4500 on since riden all winter here in Ohio as long as the snow wuz off the roads.
Just recently she developed a ticken coming from the top left area of the motor. Am I correct in assuming that I need a valve adjustment. How difficult is this 2 do oneself? As cash is tight -n- the local fixit shop wants $230 plus parts.
Luv the info and comraderie here......

What he said.  

I think the single biggest thing that trips people up on valve adjustments is making the adjustment on the wrong engine stroke (don't ask me how I know).

Haven't had to adjust the Savage's valves yet, but my prior bike was a GZ250, so you can basically think the same engine in principle, only bigger.

A Clymer's manual will be indispensable to you in working on the Savage, just bear in mind that some editions of the manual had incorrect specifications.  

BTW, does anybody know if the Clymer's errors were limited to just one edition/printing, or are the newest ones erroneous as well?  Mine is the 3rd edition, printed 2005.

Yeah, I agree with the others. 911radioman, If you or anyone else is interested I can get Suzuki manuals, price wise i'm not sure but I think I ony paid like $25 bucks or so.

Official 1987-2006 Suzuki LS650 Factory Service Manual

Oh, and welcome to the nuthouse!

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

It sounds like your local wrench is charging you a standard fee to adjust the  modern shim under bucket valve arrangement. Especially when he quotes "plus parts". Tell him it's the old style adjustable nut rockers. He should then give you a break on the price.