Has anyone here tried stiffening the stock frame?  I'm trying to figure out where i could put bracing to eliminate some flex, but not block the motor off completely...  I'm pretty comfortable with a welder but i'm clueless on the R&D.  Any experience out there?

I've always hated teh crappy bracket that the seat and tank bolt onto.  I've been thinking about cutting it out and welding in a 1/4" think, 1", 1.5" wide piece of steel and drilling and tapping holes.

Would this stiffen the frame at all?  I have no idea.  Probably not as it is already near the backbone.

First of all, I agree with the issue of fork braces.
But the real improvement will come with an improved fron fork, perdiod.
Those who have the possibility should consider the front fork off a DR enduro, or off a Suzuki Vtwin.

Then I'd upgrade the rear shocks, possibly with a double action system (that you can adjust both in compression and in extension)
Never mind if they come with 16x16 different settings, a wise man will always mate compression and release settings at the same value unless he's a pro at a track day or something.
Just go for setting '1', ride it, then go for setting '8', then for setting '16' - that'll give you an idea of how the shocks will handle at the softers, firmest and middle settings. If you like the '8' and '1' settings somewhat, but '16' is cr4p, try '4', then maybe '6' or '2'.
It's like playing MasterMind, if you stop guessing and use your brain cells, it's actually enjoyable.

Last, I'd have a good look at the tires. Given the size of Savage rear tires, go for "suporsports" rubber (I have Avon Demon, semislick racing tire) with the limited horsepower of the Savage they will last a lifetime AND deliver excellent roadholding. Don't forget proper front rubber, with that skinny itsybitsy wheel it may be a problem.

I had a fork brace, Progressive shocks, Metzler 880 tires & pushed it hard in corners. I'm fairly heavy but I never felt the frame flex. I've felt it in 2 other bikes though. Usually a bad front end wobble while leaned way over with the throttle pinned.  Scary when you don't expect it! Never felt that in the LS650. It always felt like it was on rails after the mods.

I dont know if this is "improving" but I like it.



Clive W  

Stiffening the frame would be difficult given most of it is single tube.  The swing arm pivot is reportedly an area many bikes are deficient at, but I don't know about the Savages.  Wider front downtubes would help, yes that's for sure..but all this may be overkill for a simple single.

I have a 110/70 and a 140/70 both 17" rims.

Clive W