justin_o_guy2 wrote on 04/21/12 at 09:10:12:

in gear

thats a sweet ride for only $120. You must be a handy girl. I wish I was inclined enough to take on a project. Good luck I am sure your bike is going to be great when its done. Post pics of your progress.

Just saw in another thread you were thinking about making a cafe project out of your Savage... do tell!!

Before you go getting a hernia (or 10), pull the spark plug and use a transmission funnel to fill the cylinder with some kind of light oil. Marvel Mystery Oil, ATF, 0-whatever, PB Blaster, etc. Let it sit a few days. Put the  bike at the top of a hill, in 3rd, clutch pulled. Climb on and when you hit about 5 mph, pop it into gear. Worst case you bust the piston rings and/or fall over. If the motor is free and you didn't hear any "tinkling" sounds leave it alone. Worked on my 28 Indian Scout that had been parked from 1959-1992...

You can modify and repaint the frame just fine without pulling the engine. Welding blanket over the alloy bits when cutting, grinding or welding. Grease over the alloy bits when painting the frame. Besides if you pull the engine and accidentally paint the motor mounts you'll just have to sand them clean again. Or have a lousy chassis ground...

Have fun with it. We've had cafe racers, full dress tourers, choppers, bobbers, dual sport versions... mine is a mutt, bits of all those styles... think custom Matchless circa 1958 (but with apehangers)...