Ok all the die hard suzuki owners,.....  I just learned of the suzuki savage about a week ago.  I've owned two scooters; a kaw vulcan, and now I am on a HD softail (chopped) - I miss my Kaw.   My wife now wants a ride, she has leaned towards the old skool honda cb's but I am reluctant because I feel that we are going to have another engine project on our hands, just as with the HD.   During a stop on last sunday's ride a friend mentioned the savage, he said it was a single cyl air cooled, good frame to make a little cafe racer of sorts as my plans.  

I've checked out the scoot online and I like it.  Reminds me alot of my old kaw.  What I need help on is ensuring that I dont get stuck with something other than what I admire from what I've seen.   My first question is; do all savages / ls650's / s40's come on the same frame and has it always been the same type frame?   I've admired the short swing arm mount (just below the seat) and the flat back bone of the savage - all good for a racer build.  I need to know if in any particular year or model did they use a different frame prototype?  

I also need help on learning about the quirks of these scoots once you start taking stuff off - electronically.  Has anyone ran into crazy stuff when you start riping things out?  If one were to scrap it all and leave with kill switch, starter wire, coil, and head light (like you can with an old HD) does this lead to any beat your head against the wall issues?  

Thanks folks - looking forward to hearing back from you guys.  I am really looking forward to using some metric wrenches.  My standards area worn out from old leaky HD.  Ive got a good feeling that once we get this build going for my wife, I will have scratched the HD MOCO itch for good and never go back.

you need to keep the cdi for sure.

search bobber wiring
also in the link below, look thru the buying guide
since you're a wrench, don't be a fraid of oil leaks, most are an easy fix.
Most important issue with all years is the cam chain.  interference engine... kerpow... need I say more?
Next with pre 90 bikes is the starter, see buying guide.

yup...asymmetrical. Im afraid mine might be the only one. I feel like it was a factory f-up not intended. Assuming that...yea...the frames are all the same, every body peice from one year will fit any other year to the best of my knowledge. Same with all top end bits if i recall correctly. As far as getting rid of stuff....get rid of as much as you can. In stock form, to do just about anything, you have to remove/move/do/undo 3 other things first just to get to whatever.

Quirks - http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1099227295  Head plug leak
- http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1267299409 Jetting. Stock setup is usually lean unless you live in way up in the hills.
- http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1180206459/0 Cam chain tensioner issue. If you have over 10k mi I'd saying checking it is a must. Verslagen modifies the tensioners with great results.
- http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1268804471    
http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1113631600
http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1251932429 Petcock issues. You can also replace it with a yamaha raptor 660 petcock. Direct bolt on. works great.
- http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1119775997 Clymer's manual errors
- http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1268452150 Results of low oil pressure
- http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1288911670 Starter gear issue with pre-90's
- http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1297125918 Just to make life a little easier.