Greetings, all. I've just joined up, and am looking at buying a Savage / S40 as a first motorcycle. My grandfather had an old BSA, and I love the idea of picking up a Thumper and wrenching on it.
In looking around the forum, I haven't been able to find a list of things to watch out for when buying a used Savage, so I thought I'd ask. It might also be helpful to other folks if we could put together a thread with lists and links and pin it. Just a thought.
Anyway, the bike I'm looking at is a 1996 Savage with 23000 Kilometers on it (around 14500 miles). Provided it is reasonably well maintained, what should I look for?
My apologies if there is a thread about all this that I've missed in my wanderings, and a link would be much appreciated!
The List:
- Beware the wiles of the seller. Nothing is as good as it appears. But it ain't always horrible either!
- Check for gas cap leaks by tipping the bike to the right.
- After the engine has warmed up, check for oil leaks, specifically the cylinder head.
-Check that all lights work well.
-Turn the handlebars to check for smooth operation. Check for any slop in the pivot bearings.
-Check the tires. Check both the tread depth / wear and sidewall condition.
-Inspect all chrome / controls for weathering and pitting which are signs of outdoor storage. Also check for thinning exhaust pipe / muffler chrome when cool.
-Listen for Cam Chain noise on the right side of the bike, near the oil filter. This may indicate Tensioner issues.
-Inspect the brake discs and pads, looking for overly worn discs and / or thin pads.
-Inspect the Drive Belt for holes / excessive wear / proper tracking.
-Check all fluid reservoirs. New brake fluid may indicate an attempt to hide a problem. Overly dark fluids can also mean trouble.
-Check the frame for any bends, dings, chips or corrosion.
-Compress the forks to check for seal leaks. This may require riding over some rough ground to reveal.
-MrThud's post on page two is very thorough and descriptive. Read the whole thread if you have the time, as many folks have posted informative and helpful suggestions!