Hi all, my Savage has been laid up at my "trusty old" mechanic for a long time now (so I'm either either driving or... riding another bike) and I've my mind set up to try transform the Savage into anything that either resembles a 1950s bile (either a Panhead such as the one below)




or perhaps something from the 1930's, such as this magnificient Brough Superior Police


-

My aim is to create a replica of something you don't see everyday, definitely vintage, yet with all the reliability of a modern piece of machinery.

My two "griefs" are the excessive cost of a springer front fork (even the cheapest cost $800 new, and almost as much to ship overseas and get out of Customs)
and the availability of a front GOOD drum brake.

I've been looking at enduro front forks (I need a 38mm fork) their drums are on the small size, but efficiency can't be any worse than the original disc brake...

I've already started collecting bits&bobs here and there, starting with a 4gal. tank off a HD Dyna (twin counterscrew filler caps  ) but this will require a LOT of work to grind and weld and adapt to the standard frame.

I plan to keep the original seat, although a sprung seat would definitely look the part.

The front fender will be replaced with a chrome fender with the numberplate (as in the Brough pics)

The rear fender will be replaced with a full length chrome fender which I intend to have come down low (Panhead style) with all the lights and trimmings (including a rear fog light)

Handlebars... that's one problem... I'm looking at 1" bars and all I can find are either pullbacks or apehangers of different sizes...

Instrumentation will definitely come OFF the tank and onto the bars, and I'll probably use the typical 3" items you can source off fleabay...
...although the Smiths replicas really look the part...



Now... what have I left out ?  

I know ! Front tire !

The current 90/90x19 just doesn't look right. I was considering replacing it with something that would look more... vintage, such as a 3.50x18 or metric equivalent (100/90x18? or even 110/90x18)
Where can I find a M/C tire comparison chart ?

Any ideas ?  

Thanks Motobuddha  

I forgot to say, I'm also looking at a chain drive conversion.

As I understand the standard belt drive ratio is 2.95:1 (let's round this off to 3:1).

I was thinking of going 15/45 to maintain the standard ratio, and two extra sprockets to upgrade to 16/45 and 17/45, which would give respectively 2.8:1 and 2.65:1.

A spring chani tensioner would ne part of the setup.  

teabowl13 wrote on 12/05/11 at 10:03:57:



Oh, yeah, the stock 15" wheel would totally spoil the vintage look.

A 'lil sump'in like this cool number from Germany?

I too would like a more vintage appearance. I don't want to make too many changes, though. I intend to remove the chromed engine caps, and am looking for a suitable front fender. I think the S40 is too small for a truly vintage look, unless you go to a different frame.

Those are all AMAZING bikes... I'm especially fond of the Guzzi, but the are all very cool.

Finally have the CONCEPT DRAWING for my "Vintage Roadster Savage" described here earlier... thought you might enjoy it.
There are more photos of the early stages of the project on my BikePics page...
(when I get more sleep, I'll be starting a build thread... I swear!)

might be easier to find a vintage roller and put the engine in it.

frames often last a lot longer then the engines.

Hey, Teabowl, that's a VERY nice concept you've got there !

A few tips, if I may:

- the OEM front fork is a bit flimsy, 38mm forks are OK but the front disc brake is not up to it IMHO; may I suggest to experiment with a front fork off a DR 650/750.
You can drop the stems if required (i.e., clamp them to the triple tree with an inch or two showing off the top)

- do NOT apply exhaust wrap to the pipe ! Head damage is most likely.
The point is a lot of heat is diddipated off the exhaust gases from the first few inches of the exhaust pipe; if you heat wrap it, that heat will remain trapped; some will be blown out the back, resulting in hotter exhaust pipe and muffler, but most of it will remain trapped in the head and possibly warp it.
Source: various Forums where they discuss MG, Triumph (car) and Jaguar tuning for vintage racing.

..and anyway... who wants an exhaust pipe that looks like an old sweater ?