http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1205292181

tip: narrow your search down to what you know.
and the one result per thread really helps if you get a lot of results.

EJID
Using the the gs5501 rear you could still keep the belt drive. Also a little confused on the gs5501. Is that a gs550 from the year 01?

I'm looking to do the same thing, but have been dragging my feet due to pricing it out.

found this gem:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/3565549/Motorcycle-fork-tube-sizes

it is a document that has the fork tube diameter for a lot of bikes, though without looking hard the newest bike i saw on there was an '04.

it lists the savage as:
38 Suzuki LS-650 FG/PG/FH/PH/PJ (86-88)
38 Suzuki LS-650 PS/PT/PV/PW/PX/PY/PK1/PK2/PK3 "Savage" (95-03)

the important part is that it lists all the OTHER bikes with the same fork diameter, which in theory (and correct me if i'm wrong since i've never attempted what i'm about to suggest) means that you can swap any of the bikes' lower front ends on and it should fit.

this gives you a few more options when it comes to looking for mag wheels rather than just the GS series. maybe a few of these other bikes have dual rotors too.

though, please, someone a bit more versed in forks ring in and tell me if i'm right or wrong. i'm just kind of winging this and hoping it floats on my hopes and dreams.  

Jimmer wrote on 01/04/12 at 14:04:22:



I think he means GS550L, or GS-550 L, as in model 'L' as opposed to 'E' or any other such random character.

spacepirates wrote on 01/04/12 at 14:21:52:

We've more or less have kept to the GS series because that series front ends will swap with minimal difficulties. Stem size, bearing size, yada, yada, yada.

The savage top triple tree is a little different from the others though.  The top is not a clamp, it's a through hole.  And the cap secures it to the tree.  So unless the donor mounts in the same way, you'll need to make a mod to make it work.

Also there's a lot of difference in the tree's, so when you find one you like to try, you'll need to calculate the geometry to make sure it won't send you into the ditch.

Ok, so just swapping the forks might not work because the Savage's triple tree doesn't act like a clamp like most trees do.

however, the great internet has provided us with another list!
http://www.ohiocaferacers.com/OCRStemSizes.pdf

This one lists bikes that have the same stem size as 95 to 01 savages. the 83 GS 550L even makes the list.

Ok, Versy and Lancer, in *theory* given the same stem size, could any of the bikes on this list that match the savage provide a suitable front end swap with minimal to no mods? So if we found a donor bike with mag wheels, we could pull the front end off of it and put it on the savage, though we'd still be at the mercy of a GS model for the rear. and having mis-matched mag wheels might not be the most appealing thing in the world.

EDIT:
stem sizes in case anyone wants to know:
Upper: 25 x 47 x 15
Lower: 30 x 55 x 17

You can get an ugly tree to try out fairly cheaply.