SuzukiSavage.com - first long trip question?

Arnold

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Re: first long trip question?
Reply #15 - 09/09/10 at 07:17:06

Which brings a question to my mind as well.

I have the Clymer manual, I'm not a mechanic but fairly handy with my tools. Can I do the valves adjustment myself or should I bring to the shop? How easy/hard is it? And how much does your shop charges you? I have a year of free maintenance with my bike, is valve job included in that maintenance typically?

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mornhm - FSO

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Re: first long trip question?
Reply #16 - 09/09/10 at 07:33:37

Interesting thread with a lot of topics going on.

First comment, valves need adjusting if you want your engine to be reliable, and run as well as can be expected. Maintenance needs to be done - things wear, adjustments change, things break down (I'm talking oil, plastics, surfaces) etc., etc.
Second comment, the savage - and most other MCs in good mechanical condition will outlast their riders on long trips. In other words if you've kept up with the maintenance and things are running well there is no reason to expect trouble just because you string miles together. Yes, "sh_t happens," but you aren't going to prevent it by doing something randomly (which, imho adjusting valves just because you are going on a trip falls under).
Third if you know how to use all the tools needed for a given maintenance job you won't have any trouble with the Savage. A lot of people say they are fairly handy with "their" tools, which if you are talking about mechanics tools, that is pertinent to working on a Savage, if you are talking about wood turning gouges, not so much, if your tools are the techniques you learned for interviewing in college, not at all.

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prechermike

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Re: first long trip question?
Reply #17 - 09/09/10 at 09:37:57

Arnold wrote on 09/09/10 at 07:17:06:

Which brings a question to my mind as well.

I have the Clymer manual, I'm not a mechanic but fairly handy with my tools. Can I do the valves adjustment myself or should I bring to the shop? How easy/hard is it? And how much does your shop charges you? I have a year of free maintenance with my bike, is valve job included in that maintenance typically?

Hey Arnold, (that brings to mind one of the kids annoying cartoons, sorry Wink

0 )

I adjusted my valves yesterday for the first time. It was not hard, I had a friend kind of walk me through it, but I am sure I could have done it alone. There is a link somewhere that gives all the details and instructions.

I am not sure about the valve job falling under maintance for a year, sorry. I guess you could ask, but it is really not a bad job at all.

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Arnold Serious Thumper Offline The dude abides... Posts: 896 Westchester, NY Gender:	Re: first long trip question? Reply #18 - 09/09/10 at 10:30:48 Cool, then I shall attempt it myself, when the time has come.
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Ed L. Serious Thumper Alliance Member Offline "We All go a Little Crazy Sometimes" Norman Bates Posts: 2808 Sunny Florida Gender:	Re: first long trip question? Reply #19 - 09/10/10 at 19:28:47 I would check them but don't expect the valves to be out by much. Every time I take a peek at the valves n my '02 they are right on the money. Keeping fresh oil in the engine is more important than checking the valve lash every four to five thousand miles.
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Arnold Serious Thumper Offline The dude abides... Posts: 896 Westchester, NY Gender:	Re: first long trip question? Reply #20 - 09/11/10 at 07:28:07 I bought a 96 but only now have 3k miles on it anyway, have a little while to go.
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Tanker2Biker Full Member Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 231 Spring, TX (north of Houston) Gender:	Re: first long trip question? Reply #21 - 09/11/10 at 09:14:06 130 mile round trip for breakfast this morning. Spring, TX to Navasota, TX and back via the back roads. What a beautiful morning for a ride!!
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