Hi, everyone!

I am new to the Savage, but I rebuild hopless two-wheel cases all the time.

This Savage is a terrific bike.  It'll be my first thumper.

It was given to me by a friend of a past neighbor (I have yet to buy a bike... they all find me this way!)  Anyway, some PO tried to turn it into a drag bike.  He'd drilled out the fins, threw away half of the electrics, all of the exhaust, the front footpegs, airbox, battery box, front fork springs and all the covers, all the chrome.  He then rough fitted old 7/8 handlebars, chopped off every ounce of metal from the frame that he didn't need, etc., etc.  The final touch was to spray paint it puke green over the rust.  When he was done with it, he abandoned it in the mud, where it sat for a couple of years...  No joke, it smelled like it has rested in a pig wallow, and this might be true because the alloy wheels were completely corroded.  Never seen that, before!

I am the patron saint of lost motorcycle causes.  When I saw it, it broke my heart.  It had to live again.

After about 6 months of hunting, welding, stripping and restoring, it's coming back quite nicely, but there are a couple of things that I am not familiar with.  

After lots of hunting, I found a decompression solenoid.  I understand the principle, but I wonder if it is complete.  I have the V-shaped bracket and the cable, but I cannot figure out where it should mount.  There are no good photos in the Clymer book.  Also, when the V-shaped bracket is off, the piston just falls out.  Is this complete/correct, or am I missing a piece of the solenoid housing?

I also need some pieces, and if someone has spares or knows how to find these, I would greatly appreciate any help.  I need front fork springs, and the chrome cover for the tool kit that ataches to the battery box.  EBay has not been stepping up for these.

I can post pics of the work in progress, too. She's looking pretty cool.  Right now, she's sporting white primer coat.  I will wait 'till the spring to paint it Cobalt.

Thanks for listening!

Len

Thanks very much for the info and pics.  It helps alot.  I can see the mechanism you are talking about.

I have another question, if you don't mind...  Every schematic that I have studied (to hunt down the info you just gave me,) seems to show a different configuration of cylinder head than I have.  The diagrams show what is basically a flat cylinder head with fins that finish about the same height on both sides.  The chrome covers mount the same on left and right.  Mine seems to be missing like half of the left cylinder head.  When the chrome cover goes on, there is about a 3 inch gap leaving the spark plug and the decompression mechanism exposed.  It's almost like I am missing a part of the fin area.  Is this something that is not stock, like a squish head, or something?

I have taken a pic of that side of the head, but have not figured out how to post pics on this site yet...

Thanks for your assist!

Len

Yep... it works.  Here's the cylinder head.  See how it seems to be cut away?



Here's the work in progress...  It's taken down as I am workin g on it.  Most everything is here now.



and here's the before picture.



Thanks for the help!  By the way, with your pics, I walked out and figured the decompression solenoid right out!  Thanks again.

Alloy wheels??   Havent seen Alloy wheels on a Savage ??  Yes it was a diamond in the rough

As for the alloy wheels, he took out half of the spokes, and plugged the rest with JB Weld.  The remaining spokes are practically rusted clear through...  The rear rim is completely eaten through  to the tire along the bead, but - get this - it holds air.  The front one is still complete, and has a new Dunlop.  Still has the mold wiskers on it.

He removed the fork springs and installed air adjustments.  

Whoever did this really seemed to have some craft (like the ground down cylinder head.)  But for me, I am restoring it for a street ride.  Since I didn't know the bike, it's been like a puzzle, figuring out what's missing, and where pieces go.  

Most of this restoration has been kinda costly.  At this point, I got the bike for free, and I've put in about $800.00.  I just need fork springs, and the tool kit cover for a complete bike.  If someone has spares, I'd appreciate your making an offer.

I need a pole barn.   I own 6 bikes I've restored currently, and I've restored and sold about as many as I own.  Right now, the stable has;

'78 Honda CB750
'74 Suzuki GT550 (needs engine restore.  Was hot and perfect, until I blew the engine coming back from Deal's Gap last spring.)
'72 Honda CL450
'81 Kawasaki EN454
'78 Vespa Grande

I have a '68 Honda C100 Cub that is is progress.

I also have a Honda CB350, in rat shape, waiting for a restore.  I think I'll sell this one when its done.

It's my hobby, and my wife looks the other way.  I have been really lucky.  As the word gets around that I take old bikes, people have called and asked me to take them away, or they drop them off.  The only bike that I own that I bought was the Cub.  Since it was the first model I ever owned, I spent the money when I found a good one.

Sorry to ramble.  Thanks for the assist, everyone!

Len

A agree, Diane.  I think they like to be ridden.  Aftet 20-30 years, they each gain a distinct personality.  I have had chances to ride the same old model, even the same year, and they have their own sound, handling.  Some have been treated well and respond well, and others have been treated badly and have lost their spirit.

I think the Savage will be happy to be alive again.