I've looked at the available "chopper kits" for the Savage, and they cost more than I paid for my old '87 to start with. That is just too much money to me. So I continue seeking alternatives.

Then I recalled the name of the old shop that used to do forks for chopper guys clear back in the 1970s. "Forking by Frank" or just "Frank's" as most called it. And sure enough they are still around and have a web page:

http://www.frankmain.qpg.com/

So... since there is no online info, other than contacting them directly, here is what I found out with a phone call:
They will do Savage forks, and even have them in stock. They no longer do really long stretched fork tubes due to issues with the strength of thin walled fork tubes. In fact, they will usually only do 2 inches over on most heavy bikes, but since the Savage is so lightweight, they will go up to 4 inches over stock.

Good news: the price is a very reasonable $215 for a pair of 4" over tubes, which includes everything needed to use your old parts. (IOW a spring spacer so you can use your original springs). But of course an extended brake line that isn't included is needed. Luckily, someone has already put an over length stainless steel brake line on my old 1987.

Bad news: I've done some calculations, and the 4 inches I'd like to add takes the trail geometry out a little farther than what is considered optimal. I've already bought a rear tire that is about one inch taller than stock. It will raise the rear axle by about 1/2 inch. But it would be best to raise the rear another 1-1/2" to get the trail back in line, and also I wouldn't mind having the ground clearance anyways.

So far, about the only option I've found for longer (and hopefully longer travel) rear shocks, is expensive Progressive brand shocks. If anyone here could show me where to get a more reasonably priced pair of tall shocks to fit the Savage; or even some air adjustable shocks I would be eternally grateful (ok, maybe not eternally, but I'd at least say thanks)!

Update: I've found where new 12-1/2 inch Showa shocks, like some of the old British and Japanese bikes used, are available. MUCH cheaper than Progressive. The seller says the shocks are suitable for "heavyweight" bikes and they look like a fit, but a little more skinny than the stock or Progressive springs. Also, I don' know what size mounting hole through the shock's bushing is needed. Can anyone tell me what size dia. the shock bolts (studs) are on the Savage?

Reelthing wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:01:



Nope, no specs at all on spring rate nor damping. Tech info on Showa suspension parts are in short supply from the many sources I've tried to search so far.

As for them ending up stiff like struts, I suppose that is possible, but hard to imagine with the bike having 250+ of sprung weight + about the same for me. Those gonna have to be some pretty stout springs to not give any, and they do have stepped preload adjustment. Also, the seller warns that they are not "touring" shocks, so I take that to mean that they aren't intended to haul 800+ pound loads

FWIW, I keep the stock shock's springs on the top preload setting, and the handling feels the best to me compared to  the softer settings, which I have a tendancy to easily bottom out.

To answer your question the studs are 14mm on my '97.  I checked my gs550 parts bin bike and those have  12.5 in long shocks but the studs are 12mm.  The length of 12.5 is standard for most GS's but I don't know if the bigger ones had bigger eye sizes.  Progressive has a pretty good fitment chart if I remember right that can tell you alot about other bikes.

I like the sounds of the intruder shocks..If they would work you should be able to snag a set off ebay cheap.

Here is yet another question on shocks: Am I right in assuming that the stock units don't come apart? The reason I ask: I've found a pair of Intruder 800 shocks that have rusty chrome covers on them, and they would sure look better with the nice chrome covers off my Savage's shocks; rather than having to paint black over the rusty parts.

Even if I can't get the good chrome covers onto them, I might be tempted to buy them if they're cheap enough. At least I could paint them and see if they get me where I'm wanting to go with the rear suspension. Pretty shiny ones will come around eventually I'm sure, or I might just break down and spend the money for the $$$ Progressive.

Oh... and don't worry about me getting hurt working on shocks / springs. I've worked on all kinds of suspensions before and know to beware of spring and/or gas pre-loading. (Mentioned it here partly as a warning / reminder to others to be careful!)

I put Sportster shocks on the back of my 87.. They are 11.5 in.  long and they raised the rear 1 1/2 in.....   I had to press out the old mounts and install them into  the Harley shocks.......   Bought at a swap meet for $10

slavy wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:01:



Good idea maybe. You used the Vulcan trees, steering stem and all? Or just the fork tubes and below? How much overall did it raise the front? (Obviously at least an inch for the difference in wheels, unless the fork tubes were actually shorter than the Savage.)

About running VN800 fr end- I went with a complete assy. The only thing that needed to be done was to peplace the stem of the lower tripple tree of the VN with the one from the LS. May be the best idea is to get a lower tree from e-bay, just in case if You decide to go back to the original. The other thing was- I installed  some semi-"ape hangers", so I had to use the Savage raisers, because the VN's are cheaper made andd they suck. If You want to stick with the VN bars- no problem. You can use them with the LS switches , because they are the same 1" size. About the diff in the height- I never measured it. I changed the handlebars and it felt higher. I just liked it more. The only flaw in the design was that at high speeds I felt the wind resistance significantly more, but this was a result of the bars, not of the fr. end.

Rockin John, I know it's been nearly fifteen years, but would you have a photo laying around of a savage with extended forks? I saw that you had posted a photo years back on another thread but it doesn't show the image. I'm thinking of doing this to mine.

Many thanks!