hi everyone,
this is my first bike, i love it to death. after riding it for a while now, i find myself wanting more power from the machine. (or at least one more gear!!) i have looked everywhere for "performance parts" and im not really sure what to look for.. i mean, really i just want to know a few things: is there such a thing as a stroker kit for a savage? does anyone know if the later model trannysl mount to the older blocks? it kills me on the interstate wth only 4 gears!! also, i see some of you guys have what looks like the carb poking out from the side of the bike... totally awesome.. what are those called and where can i get them? i read a little of a carb tutorial on here, can i just get bigger jets, is that how it works?

really, i just want some more power, if you guys have any sugestions...

..feel free to become creative here, any input on how to juice this bad boy up, let me know

What is the budget you're working with?  

If you are looking for something quick, simple and relatively inexpensive, then just stick with replacing the stock muffler with a Sportster muffler (or similar muffler from an assortment of sources)and rejetting the carburetor to match.  That can be done for abouit $50-100.
This will produce a very nice increase performance and exhaust sound.

Beyond that, you're looking at changing the carb and/or camshaft.  That will run about $500 for both just for the parts.  Are you doing the work yourself or need professional help? More $$ there possibly.
This will produce a very significant boost in power, felt from just off idle all the way to redline... I call it the Savage Beast Package.

Performance Carb Kit
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=002&sspagename=ST...

Performance Camshaft
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=002&sspagename=ST...

All I can really tell you is keep reading this forum, most of the performance mods on here are not store bought but several of us just tinkering until we get something we like. Then most of us will post step by step how to's either in this section or the Tech-ref section. That is where I usually get all my mod ideas and how to.

Basically with this particular bike, the performance mods are achieved with tinkering and minor adjustments and sometimes flat out ingenuity and imagination. The only actual purpose built performance parts for the Savage/S40 are built by the guys and gals on this forum. Such as the High performance cam and piston, Tkat fork brace, and a few others.

And have no fear of asking questions, the folks on here love answering questions and giving ideas.

In fact I am in the process of making some extended forward controls for my bike using the idea from the tech sec posted by Nightrain. I'm modifying his instructions a little bit but am still using his over all design.

For this Savage rider, I just like the expanded torque curve.  Yes, I did get a bit more top end along the way, but the main thing was to raise and broaden the torque curve... because that is where the fun is.  Torque accelerates, torque pulls, torque is just plain fun.
When ridng on the road, state highway, interstate, whatever, the speed rarely exceeds 85mph and when riding with any other cruisers (regardless of make or model) it is a "cat and mouse" game ... MIGHTY MOUSE that is.  Zooming around up to 85 pr 90 is a blast, though that is limited to short isolated  blasts in clear and open areas where saftey can be assured.

justin_o_guy wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:07:



justin_o_guy ... dude, how is your milage situation working out?

skrapiron -FSO wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:07:

if you show me a machine, i'll show you a man who wants to make it go faster.

skrapiron, maybe it's because i'm young and senseless? i just think there is this air of curiousity that surrounds cars and motorcycles that begs their operators to wonder, "how quick can i make this sucker?"

Not dead certain but I think the 4 speed has a taller high gear than the 5 speed. so your engine would be running slower at 70 mph with the 4 speed. IF I remember what I read right.

Has anyone put the cam shaft-carb upgrade on their bike? If so did you notice nice gains and still have drivability, durability, reliability,etc...? MPG up or down? If so how drastic? And finally was it worth the money?