denson61 wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:01:I'm thinking of buying an 86. Can anyone tell me if there are any problems I should look for. I'm also wondering what rpm the 4 speed will do at 60mph.
Denis
Denis,
First, since you are new here, nobody knows your level of riding or mechanical experience. The previous posters have hit on the head of issue #1: Are you prepared to restore and maintain a 20 year old motorcycle? If the answer is "yes" read on...
In answer to your first question: Yeah there are plenty of problems to look out for, but there is going to be on any 20 year old motorcycle. I bought a 1987 with a little over 6K miles on the clock a few months ago. I've worked on my own cars and cycles for 35 years, and spent half a lifetime working as a "wrench" is one capacity or another. So I knew what I was getting into by buying an old "fixer-upper."
The "known failure modes" of the early Savage include, but are not limited to: Oil leaking from a plug in the engine cylinder head, that requires removing the head's cover, and sealing a plug. (To see if the bike you are looking at has this problem, run/ride it for 15+ minutes then look for oil around the cooling fins just below the exhaust header.
That, and occasional premature failure of the cam chain, due to auto tensioner design are two of the biggest things to look for. If the cam chain is stretched beyond good service, you might be able to detect it rattling by listening to the engine at idle and with short throttle blips.
There are other more minor problems, like the clutch being barely heavy enough duty to withstand a lot of abuse, but a lot of Savage riders aren't the type to abuse their bike such... But then there are people like me, especailly around here it seems, that take pleasure in putting the poor little thing through a tough workout
A few annoying little things like brake light switchs that only last a few years etc.. but even the best of machines require some degree of maintenence.
To answer your second question: The 4-speed actually has a VERY slightly higher top gear than the 5-speed, but it is also a close ratio transmission like the 5-speed, and has gears at most the places needed for good around town or country road cruising. As already mentioned, the Savage is not a "first choice" bike for interstate touring. Not that it isn't capable of handling the stress, but it really doesn't like to be ridden at extended periods at over 65MPH or so (IMHO). There are also seat and position issues for taller riders. I'm struggling with that issue myself at the moment. Anything over 50-70 miles in one stretch starts to hurt me. But then it is common to stop for gas every 100 miles on the Savage because of fuel mileage and capacity issues. So... you get to stretch your legs a bit anyways. As it sits though, I wouldn't take mine on any rides of several hundred miles in a short period of time, like can be done on a serious road bike.
The Savage is what it is, a medium power, lightweight crusier that is peppy and easy to ride for general purpose city and back road riding. Finishing: I would recommend the bike to anyone shorter than 5' 8" for the purposes described above. If you are taller or big, as I am, be prepared to deal with a very awkward situation of trying to make the bike fit you.
HTH
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