I bought an '87 savage off of craigslist a little while back for $220, running, legal with a clear title.  It has some crappy muffler on it, the wiring is an unholy mess (I SUCK with wiring), it has 24,XXX miles and the single bobber seat is strapped to the frame with a piece of rope.  Even with all of this I am still loving riding this bike around!  My goal right now is to get a better mount for the seat and try to fix my wiring and any help y'all can give me with these would be much appreciated.  the main thing Im worried about with the wiring is there are no rear running lights and my left side turn signal does not work.  It looks like somebody put the wrong light in the turn signal and license plate light and they melted the plastic.  Would those circuits ont being complete make my rear light not work (the brake light comes on, just not the running light)?  Any ideas on the seat would be great, cause I dont have a one.  Thanks a lot guys!

Get a digital vom and the tech manual(search clymer manual savage on piratebay.org)

Look at the circuit diagrams and determine when wiring problems could be causing issues and replace the bulbs with oe bulbs.  Check all the switches fuses and relays for proper operation.

Dude, make that into the craziest mad max survival bike.  surround the lights with a metal grill, mount two ammo boxes for bags, and have duct tape and bungee chords hold the rest of it down.

P.S.  i have a gel seat that would fit that if your interested

I think I have a tail light assembly minus the license plate light which is on my john deere dash. Yours if you want it.  

The manual should have connector views.  Start at the problem point like the tail light and check for 12 volts when it's on and move down the line one connector at a time until you get 12 volts.  The problem will be between those two connectors.  If you get 12 at the bulb conection you could have a bad bulb or a bad ground.  The manual may also have color coded for wires but not always reliable.  Also can start from the begining and start with the switch that turns the non working part on.  

There's not many connectors either.  You've got the fron lights connctor, the switches, the tank spedo connector the ignition connector and individual connectors for the tail lights and brake lights and the fuses and relays that there's only a few of.  Bikes are a great place to learn mechanics and electrical since they have easy access light weight and simplicity.

WD wrote on 07/14/10 at 16:01:08:

I could definitely use the plate light holder, mine is melted...  I would like to set up hairpins, put I dont think my crap ass plastic pan seat has anywhere to mount them...  Let me know what it would be to ship to 78739 and I'll paypal the moola tomorrow!

Sick.  if you go mad max you have to take pics and post it.  always wanted to see a savage ratted out