OK, I know I've been asking a bunch of questions like a total newbie, but that's what I am. I've also been beating around the bush about this, but I'm going to just come out and ask it. What would happen if I don't do anything to the bike, and just rode it stock? I mean other than switch to synthetic oil, and add a fuel filter; and maybe see if anybody in this part of Texas sells gas w/o E85.
I don't intend to replace the muffler. I'm not interested in more power or performance. Other than the seat mod and the steering riser mod; none of the others appeal to me or to my riding needs. In addition to all that, opening up the carb, frankly, scares the piss out of me. I've only one other experience with a carb rebuild. It was on a little single barrel off of a Datsun 210. I was oh so careful, but when I was done, I had about four parts left over. I was young and foolish enough to mount it anyway, and the little thing fired right up and ran another four years like that, without any loss of power, performance, or mpg. I vowed never again would I touch a carb; but now it's being recommended to do just that to my brand new little thumper.
So if I don't, am I asking for ruin? As I've said before, I'm no tinkerer. I've no burning curiosity to "take it apart see how it works". I've alot of respect for you guys that do, but it's just not my thing. I can do the basic maintenence, but that is about as far as my mechanical expertise goes. The complicated stuff I take to a mechanic. Like Paladin says, each to his own level of expertise; or something to that effect.
So, what could I expect if I just run it stock?
Thanks for all the help, advice and support. It makes owning this bike even more of a joy.
Ride safe,
Jay

Thanks for the encouragement. My main concern with asking was, in reading the threads posted here, it would seem that there is a design/engineering flaw in the carb setup that might shorten its lifespan. I wonder, has anyone ran one for years and years stock? Did they have trouble?
Anyway thanks again. I may just do that very thing.
Ride safe,
Jay

There are private mechanics that dont charge as much as a dealer and may be better.

And some buddy's will work on your MC sometimes,which may give you some time, if and when you decide to learn to work on it yourself.

But,in asking if you need to do "all" this extra stuff that the guys do here.....I personally dont know/think that all of it needs to be done,but do think there are "a few special things" you could have done,so as not to have to worry about it/to make it last longer.

But the guys will tell you and you could still take it to a private mechanic and not have to pay near as much!

(On the few good things to have done...Lancer and Verslagen are the ones coming to my mind to ask

(I am no mechanic and dont know as much as most here,but...I'm just trying to help,in what I believe to be true  

You asked what will happen if you leave it stock?  If your bike is like mine, this is what will happen:

You will drive it and have a blast for awhile.  Then all of a sudden one day, you will notice that the screw holding the blinker on looks a little loose.  "No problem," you will say.  "I have an old phillips in the junk drawer."  So you'll give it a twist and think "That wasn't so tough."

While you are standing there admiring your accomplishment, you'll double check all the phillips head screws that you can see on the sheet metal and whatnot.  Then, when you go to change your oil, you'll realize you need a 5mm allen wrench, so you'll go buy one.  But you won't get just one, you'll pick up a folding set because it only cost 5 bucks.  Returning to the bike, you'll notice that there are more allen screws than you had seen before, but since you have the whole set of wrenches, it's no problem!  Just check them all while you're at it.  

Gotta take the seat off?  Remember that set of Walmart wrenches your mother in law bought you for Christmas in 1993?  There's a 10mm socket in there, so off she comes.  No sweat!  By this point, you've discovered that you already own the three main tools required to tinker on the bike.  So some Saturday, you'll decide to just look at the bike for awhile since it's too cold out to enjoy riding with no destination.  Arriving in the garage, you'll discover that somehow your tools found their way into your pocket.  Might as well open up the headlight and snoop around in there for loose stuff.

Pretty soon, without any precipitating event to change you, you are looking at the timing cover plug thinking "If I can just get that little bugger off, I'll have those valves set in no time.  But first I have to slap the carb back on and see how she runs."

It crept up on me.  I hope it will for you too, 'cause it's a lot of fun.  I'm still intimidated by the "larger" projects, but less so every day.

Jay wrote on 05/27/08 at 03:00:30:

Given the number of what appear to be used stock Savages on the market, I would say you would be NORMAL.  The people who gravitate to forums about any subject tend to be nuts.   Using the dealer or a trusted bike mechanic for your maintainance will cost you a bit more than doing it yourself, but that IS what most people do.  

I've had my Savage for 3.5 years/18,000 miles, have swapped the stock muffler for a MAC, have managed to replace the dreaded oil plug thingie in the head.  (What some claim a four hour job took me three days.)  The P.O. adjusted the idle thingie as the cover has been removed; other than that I have no idea of what, if anything, has been done to the carb.  I don't care.    Thumper runs, which is all I have ever asked of any vehicle.

What would happen if you left it stock?

Hmmmm, I reckon you would have years of worry free riding unlike those of us who have made heavy mods and are always fixing those mods. (me included)

As long as you have the scheduled maintenance done and keep an eye on the oil, it will be fine.  

It would run a little better if you had the fuel mixtures set to be a little less lean.

 You got it Free Spirit lot here want more power and less mileage,more power puts strain on all parts of engine and transmission ,clutch,wheel bearing,frame,tires, belt you name it.