First off....thanks to everyone who has responded....
georgekathe wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:12:I know your question was on chrome (no idea about it) & tank, but here's my 2 cents worth -
agree with what WD said (other than I'm ignorant on how to clean a tank so cannot pass comment on his solution).
I am checking into other ways to clean the rust out of the tank as you all have suggested. I have not done the WD-40 trick before, but my bike guru has done it on several bikes he has restored in the past and swears by it.
georgekathe wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:12:however - I add a caveat - replace brake line when changing fluid - likely never been done & they recommend change every 4 years. Easy to change when changing fluid (but ensure you use new copper washers - which might come with lines from source below)
a fellow called Lancer on this site (find him via his e-mail) sells steel braided line - much better than stock & even better it is cheaper!! I replaced my line with another company's product but only because I did not know of Lancer carrying them..
Replacing the brake lines is definately something that will be done during the clean/rebuild. Thanks for the info on Lancer and his lines... I'll have to get in touch with him about them.
georgekathe wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:12:also recommend buying a Clymers manual for the Savage - can buy it cheap from Amazon (like around $25)
Already purchased a Clymers for it... it is on the way to me right now.
georgekathe wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:12:might want to check the condition of the air fliter (the Clymers will help you locate this & how to get @ it).
hope someone else can answer this - but can you clean a air filter or is it buy a new one assuming his like mine when I bought bike very clogged. if so, can he get away with a K & N slip in without rejet? cost is not much more than Suzuki one & it lasts eons longer.
Plans are to get rid of the air box and go with the K&N cone filter right off the bat, also. I AM going to re-jet no matter what, so that isn't a big deal to me.
georgekathe wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:12:oh yeah - unless I am contradicted by someone who knows more than me on this site (which is highly likely) I do not recommend you do something to "clean up the belt."
This is something that I DO have a question about... should I just go ahead and replace the belt or do y'all think it will still be okay? Can it be cleaned ?
georgekathe wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:12:not wishing to directly contradict someone, (& call me cautious) but you might want to hold off on buying a non-stock muffler to just get rid of chrome trouble. a new muffler would allow the bike to breath better but then you are definately into playing with rejetting (& cash outlay. you might want to leave this for down the road after you've spent time & $$ getting it up & running like a top in standard form.
I admit I have a non-standard muffler but only started on that path after I'd done a lot of post purchasing work on bike.
I think I am going to leave the exhaust how it is.... at least right off the bat. if I DO keep it, I will replace the exhaust with a free-flowing model.
Thanks.... keep the comments coming.