SuzukiSavage.com - belt to chain conversion for a savage 4 speed

jonnychop

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belt to chain conversion for a savage 4 speed
04/08/10 at 16:21:08

got a question for you guys I recently busted my belt and i was reading the technical section for this mod and was pretty impressed by the results More speed, better MPG depending on gear ratio, unfortunately there was no info on this mod for an older savage 4 speed only 5 speeds any opinions has anybody done a chain conversion for a 4 speed theres a bunch of gear ratios and percentage info i really didn't understand very well, so if anybody could shed some light on this i would really appreciate it.

thanks guys youve always helped me out with my love affair with the savage.

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Serowbot YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline OK.... so what's the speed of dark? Posts: 28620 Tucson Az Gender:	Re: belt to chain conversion for a savage 4 speed Reply #1 - 04/08/10 at 17:28:51 not 100% sure,... but pretty sure that the pulleys are the same.... and the 4 speed has a slightly higher top gear 60mph rpm... So, if you're not to heavy,.. to handle a higher 1st,.. the taller 4th gear might be very nice...
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jonnychop YaBB Newbies Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 25	Re: belt to chain conversion for a savage 4 speed Reply #2 - 04/08/10 at 17:36:12 tomorrow i will start the mod i will keep you posted with pics and comments thanks!
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rigidchop Serious Thumper Offline don't feed the drama llama Posts: 1105 ravenswood wv Gender:	Re: belt to chain conversion for a savage 4 speed Reply #3 - 04/08/10 at 17:36:37 i did it to mine, and love it. i dont remember what the sprocket count was, but it cruises along nicely. i actually finally took it out on the interstate a couple of weeks ago and was passing cars. i think the sweet spot for mine is around 60 to 65mph now.
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Serowbot YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline OK.... so what's the speed of dark? Posts: 28620 Tucson Az Gender:	Re: belt to chain conversion for a savage 4 speed Reply #4 - 04/08/10 at 17:41:40 Quote: slightly higher top gear 60mph rpm Not sure if that's clear..... I'm thinking it's something like... with a 5speed bike.... 3850 rpm at 60 mph with the 4 speed bike... 3950 rpm at 60mph... hope that helps... (is that right Rigid?)...
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rigidchop Serious Thumper Offline don't feed the drama llama Posts: 1105 ravenswood wv Gender:	Re: belt to chain conversion for a savage 4 speed Reply #5 - 04/08/10 at 18:02:16 i thought it was the opposite.
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Serowbot YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline OK.... so what's the speed of dark? Posts: 28620 Tucson Az Gender:	Re: belt to chain conversion for a savage 4 speed Reply #6 - 04/08/10 at 18:58:45 rigidchop wrote on 04/08/10 at 18:02:16: i thought it was the opposite. Well crap,... we just nullified each other... I give you the benefit of the doubt,... 'cause I'm just going by what I remember another member saying.... Sorry Jonny....
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rigidchop Serious Thumper Offline don't feed the drama llama Posts: 1105 ravenswood wv Gender:	Re: belt to chain conversion for a savage 4 speed Reply #7 - 04/08/10 at 19:11:17 i think it was rockin john who led me to believe this, as he has owned both 4 and 5speeds.
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John_D FSO

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Re: belt to chain conversion for a savage 4 speed
Reply #8 - 04/09/10 at 02:55:32

Serowbot wrote on 04/08/10 at 17:41:40:

Quote:

slightly higher top gear 60mph rpm

Not sure if that's clear.....
I'm thinking it's something like...
with a 5speed bike.... 3850 rpm at 60 mph
with the 4 speed bike... 3950 rpm at 60mph...

hope that helps...

(is that right Rigid?)...

Was that with both of them in 4th gear; or the 5 speed in 5th, and the 4 speed in 4th, in other words, both in "high" gear? That might explain the difference in agreement? Undecided

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'07 ElectraGlide.

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justin_o_guy2 Serious Thumper Offline What happened? Posts: 55279 East Texas, 1/2 dallas/la.	Re: belt to chain conversion for a savage 4 speed Reply #9 - 04/09/10 at 10:24:18 IIRC, a 4 speed in high gear @ 60 MPH is turning slightly fewer RPM than a 5 Speed in high gear @ 60. Remember, they changed the jetting somewhere "back there", IDK if it was when they went to the 5 spdeed, but that would at least offer some reason for the gearing change.
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klx650sm2002

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Re: belt to chain conversion for a savage 4 speed
Reply #10 - 04/09/10 at 10:39:59

KLX in top gear does 63mph @ peak torque on std gearing (15/43), I went to 16/42 and she now does 69@peak torque, very nice. So I am going to try 16/39 which will give 74mph@peak torque and 104mph@peak power.
The good thing with chain drive is the variety of sprockets available to do with whatever you want.
Clive W

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jonnychop

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Re: belt to chain conversion for a savage 4 speed
Reply #11 - 04/09/10 at 17:04:19

Thanks to you all for your comments and i will be going the 17/43 sprocket combo and try it out for about a couple of weeks and then try another combination depending on how i feel the bike i will begin this mod tomorrow and ill include pics so you can see how it goes.

again thanks to the thumper bretheren you guys have always helped out a lot.

JC.

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LANCER

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Re: belt to chain conversion for a savage 4 speed
Reply #12 - 04/10/10 at 01:50:19

speaking of chain mod's, I got a great deal on a chain a few days ago on ebay dk-trader store (Dennis Kirk catalog clearance store):
It will be used on Savage #2... "James", REX's personal vallet Grin

I got the chain for $5.50 Cheesy

EK
530 SR Sport Series Chain

Chain Size: 530
Type: Non-Sealed
# Of Links: 108
EK
530 SR Sport Series Chain

Chain Size: 530
Type: Non-Sealed
# Of Links: 108
Our best-selling chain line, offering outstanding performance and value
All EK chains feature solid roller construction with shot-peened and pre-stretched components for better performance and fewer adjustments
All non-standard EK chains have quad-staked riveting and solid bushings
Sport Series is recommended for unmodified motorcycles used on the street
Sealing Ring - None
Maximum Engine Size - 400cc
Wear Life Index - 200 (Wear life index should be used as a comparison for probable wear life, under identical circumstances)
Tensile Strength - 7,700 lbs
Heavy-duty street chain

** Chain Is Dirty And Missing The Master Link **

Retail Price: $47.99
11195108SD R1-B2 Tote S ~art~
M07-686

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LS-Rich Full Member Offline If it ain't broke.... Make it longer!! Posts: 109 Omaha, Nebraska Gender:	Re: belt to chain conversion for a savage 4 speed Reply #13 - 05/13/10 at 07:42:36 I have a 87 4 speed. Haven't even riden it yet. Just putting it back together after buying it in pieces. I definately want to go with a chain. Just wondering how the 17/43 is working out for ya. Also... what bike do I use to order the sprockets? Thanks
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BurnPgh

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Re: belt to chain conversion for a savage 4 speed
Reply #14 - 05/13/10 at 11:25:44

I did 16/41 which is about 17/43. It was okay. Much more comfortable at highway speeds but Ive got a ton of hills in my area (Penn Hills PA) and I did miss the bit of low end grunt that I traded. I was however, able get very very close to or a bit past 100mph on the highway when the speedo reading was adjusted for the change. Took a while to get there though. If you dont live in a very hilly area 17/43 would be a good choice. If you've got hills Id go 17/45-47. and I would NOT use a 16 front sprocket. 16/41 the chain was very very close to the swingarm and on large bumps would scrape. Required very close attention to chain tension. 16/43 didnt scrape but was still close. I just think 17 is the better choice.

The bike to look for as far as the sprockets goes is suzuki gs550 (with cast wheels, not spoked) '83-'86.

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