Hi all,

this is my first post and I WAS going to ask about handlebar modification, however, after bringing my Savage to the mechanic for a spring tune up, it appears he wants to charge me over $1000 for an oil leak which he thinks is the head gasket.

After doing some searching on the forum, I found it might be the oil plug.... *sigh* SO, my issue is I have little mechanical skills. I can fix your computer, iPhone, Xbox 360, take it apart and put it together with my eyes closed. Electronics are easy and I have the tools but engines I can't seem to wrap my head around them.

I'm only riding for another season or two before I sell this bike and move (probably buy a bigger bike as my father always said "there's no replacement for displacement") and I would prefer to have my shoes and pants oil free so my room mate and I are going to tackle this (I think) because I don't really have the money to be throwing any mechanic a grand to fix a problem which may be solved for 4-5 hours and a couple hundred bucks.

Now, I have to go get the bike from the shop so I will post a picture or two of the oil leak and to let ya'll see where it's leaking and / or if you can help identify the problem ( and maybe help with the solution ) that would be fantastic.

Last question: Should it be leaking with only 14K on the bike?? My last two wheeler had a little less but didn't leak.

Finally, I'm also near/around Toronto, ON, Canada so if anybody is willing to meet up, I will buy many beers and pizza for help!

Thanks everyone,

Ian

It really amazes me how expensive, rude, and often technically incompetent dealers are.  Learn to work on your bike and you will NEVER regret it.  It will save you loads of money, both now, and when you buy the next one.  Other than the Savage I just bought Aida, I have not bought a running bike in 20 years.

It isn't gonna cost you anywhere near a couple hundred bucks to do it yourself. You can fix that for the price of a new seal and a tube of RTV and nothing more. Definately print out the bolt template and tape it to a piece of cardboard so you can push the bolts through the cardboard according to where they go. Goodluck and have fun.

wow! Thanks for all the replies in less than 24hours! My last forum (for a different bike) was not nearly as fast nor as helpful... may have to consider staying with the Savage after all  

As for the fix, I've looked through the whole thread for the oil plug leak fix and have sort of pieced together what to do, but is there an actual document (Clymers, word doc by members, etc) that may also help? I'm completely new to the whole fixing motorcycle engines.... although I have had to get greasy with my old 1972 superbeetle before so I'm not afraid of taking things apart... .it's putting them back together that gets me!

Many thanks and will keep you posted.

Ian

Where can I get the plug and bolt kits? Just go to a Suzuki dealership and ask for 'em?....


Thanks over and over and over!

Ian

NB: The Beetle was been much more stubborn that the Savage... unfortunately I sold it last year  

Here's a couple pictures... let me know if you guys still think it may be the oil plug... I'm having doubts myself now

Thanks!!

Ian

+1 on the head gasket. I would pressure wash it real good after you tighten those nuts, and then get to riding a few miles at a time, then stop and check. Take a flash light, even in the daytime. Between the fins it still is kinda dark. That's the only way to find the leak.

well, it's never going to stop by itself.

key points to remember, rtv the head plug and get a bolt set.