Was talking to a former m/c mechanic a few weeks ago who had worked on some Savages that the local Motorcycle Safety Training Course used back in the late 80's, early 90's ... he was aware of the cam chain/tensioner issue back then ... he said it was in his opinion, the major design flaw of an otherwise good engine ... and he told me that he used to advise people to not buy the Savage because of that very flaw ...

I'm with those who would like to pressure Suzuki on the issue ... maybe an on-line petition or something??

Oldfeller2 wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:10:


That's a good idea.  I'm sure that Suzuki is aware of this issue too.  They just hope that you'll trade up or wreck it before you find that you've bought a time bomb.

I doubt you would get very far with Suzuki.  A better tactic might be to petition the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Department of Transportation on the basis of a safety defect.  Having the engine sieze at speed certainly would fit that category.  Didn't Suzuki Motors go through something similar with the Samurai model that had a high rollover rate?

Well, it WILL happen.  But does it happen without warning?  And when it happens does it cause danger of injury or death?