SuzukiSavage.com - new and looking for pointers

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new and looking for pointers
04/05/11 at 03:27:20

hello;

new to the forum and new to motorcycling. just got a 2008 S40 and looking to get it prep'ed for the season. hoping that someone here can give me some pointers. (bike is in excellent shape with only 3100km so basically looking to do general maintenance and upkeep on the bike.)

i have looked using the search bar but have not found what i need. can anyone tell me if there is a chech list or to-do list of things to check or things to do to ensure the bike is ready for the season?

thanks,

Bob

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Mr. Hyde Serious Thumper Alliance Member Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 565 Kingston, Ontario, Canada Gender:	Re: new and looking for pointers Reply #1 - 04/05/11 at 06:27:48 Short list if you don't know the history: 1. Make sure a valve adjustment was completed per manual. 2. Change your oil and filter. Regular oil or synthetic - your choice. 3. Fresh gas with a capful of seafoam. 4. Saftey check - brakes, lights, turn signals. Take it for a ride.
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photojoe FSO

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Re: new and looking for pointers
Reply #2 - 04/05/11 at 06:36:05

First on Mr. Hyde's list is the most important. Oil. Make a habit of checking before every ride and during stops on those long runs. Keep some in your bag.

This bike is easy to work on. Learn how to change your oil/filter, air filter, check tire pressure, install brake pads when needed etc.

Welcome to the forum, and congrats on your new Savage.

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FSO

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thumperclone Serious Thumper Alliance Member Offline PGR rider riding with respect Posts: 6068 Grand Junction Colorado Gender:	Re: new and looking for pointers Reply #3 - 04/05/11 at 07:19:22 tyre pressure
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thumperclone Serious Thumper Alliance Member Offline PGR rider riding with respect Posts: 6068 Grand Junction Colorado Gender:	Re: new and looking for pointers Reply #4 - 04/05/11 at 07:19:36 brakes
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thumperclone Serious Thumper Alliance Member Offline PGR rider riding with respect Posts: 6068 Grand Junction Colorado Gender:	Re: new and looking for pointers Reply #5 - 04/05/11 at 07:19:54 tread depth
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thumperclone Serious Thumper Alliance Member Offline PGR rider riding with respect Posts: 6068 Grand Junction Colorado Gender:	Re: new and looking for pointers Reply #6 - 04/05/11 at 07:21:26 tire side walls for rot, aging..
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Routy

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Re: new and looking for pointers
Reply #7 - 04/05/11 at 08:46:35

The 1st thing I would check is the oil. If it looks clean, its ok.
You can check it while on the side stand if you're not comfortable holding it upright while trying to see the window. If you use the side stand method, just keep the level anywhere near the "low" line and you will have no problem.

2nd, check the battery level. Its near impossible to see it thru the window. So you must remove the battery,....a little chore in itself !

3rd, if you hear excessive valve tappet noise, I'd check clearances.

4th, check the obvious things. At less than 4000 you should be good to go,......unless it has been rode excessively hard,......brakes etc.

5th, and IMO most important, if it runs good, don't mess w/ it.

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Rich
'07 S40 Blvd stocker, except drilled OEM exhaust and white spacer mod...1/2 (.055)

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Howitzer

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Re: new and looking for pointers
Reply #8 - 04/05/11 at 10:21:17

Routy wrote on 04/05/11 at 08:46:35:

3rd, if you hear excessive valve tappet noise, I'd check clearances.

What is excessive valve tappet noise? I always feel like my engine/transmission are rather noisy and not-smooth sounding. It could just be from excessive vibration of the single cylinder engine, but....I don't know.

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Re: new and looking for pointers
Reply #9 - 04/05/11 at 11:10:28

Howitzer wrote on 04/05/11 at 10:21:17:

Routy wrote on 04/05/11 at 08:46:35:

3rd, if you hear excessive valve tappet noise, I'd check clearances.

What is excessive valve tappet noise? I always feel like my engine/transmission are rather noisy and not-smooth sounding. It could just be from excessive vibration of the single cylinder engine, but....I don't know.

Air cooled engines are inherently noisier than water cooled. If you can't hear valves at all, they are likely too tight. Especially when hot.
If it sounds like a box of rocks,.. they are too loose... Huh

...

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Ludicrous Speed !... ... Huh

...

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verslagen1

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Re: new and looking for pointers
Reply #10 - 04/05/11 at 11:17:32

Howitzer wrote on 04/05/11 at 10:21:17:

Routy wrote on 04/05/11 at 08:46:35:

3rd, if you hear excessive valve tappet noise, I'd check clearances.

What is excessive valve tappet noise? I always feel like my engine/transmission are rather noisy and not-smooth sounding. It could just be from excessive vibration of the single cylinder engine, but....I don't know.

Like being in the front row of a tap dance recital

When it sounds right, in the back row, audable if the a$$ hole next to you shuts up.

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MotoBuddha Serious Thumper Offline Let's roll! Posts: 1416 Charlotte, NC	Re: new and looking for pointers Reply #11 - 04/05/11 at 11:48:51 Routy wrote on 04/05/11 at 08:46:35: The 1st thing I would check is the oil. If it looks clean, its ok. Looking clean doesn't have much to do with whether oil is okay.
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Routy

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Re: new and looking for pointers
Reply #12 - 04/05/11 at 12:35:07

MotoBuddha wrote on 04/05/11 at 11:48:51:

Routy wrote on 04/05/11 at 08:46:35:

The 1st thing I would check is the oil. If it looks clean, its ok.

Looking clean doesn't have much to do with whether oil is okay.

Oh yeah,
I been mechanican and play'n w/ oil for 55 yrs, and if its not a diesel, and its clean, most times its ok. And if its dirty, it needs changin. But I do like the KISS method ! Grin

Now don't go gettin all techinical on me, I'm not that kinda guy. And we're not mechanican for Southwestern either.

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« Last Edit: 04/05/11 at 18:32:30 by Routy »

Rich
'07 S40 Blvd stocker, except drilled OEM exhaust and white spacer mod...1/2 (.055)

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manitoulinbob YaBB Newbies Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 29	Re: new and looking for pointers Reply #13 - 04/06/11 at 02:33:46 thanks for the welcome to the forum and for the feed back. i will be giving the bike a good going over this weekend in prep for the up coming season. the comments and suggestions are appreciated. Bob
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