Well, actually, I have the questions, hoping you guys have the answers. A little background: I've been licensed for 2 weeks, already put close to 300 miles on my Savage. I'm in love with the bike, for sure, and I've been reading about how you guys get past the bikes little annoyances, such as using the Sigma BC 800 to get an accurate mph reading and trip meter to better track how much gas is in the tank (i've just been filling up by looking into the tank and guesstimating when I need to fill). Some darn clever people on this forum!

Anyway, these are definitely newb questions, but I have gotten conflicting answers with them, so I'm gonna ask directly.

1. My tail lights have this habit of spinning around with the slightest touch. I'll get off the bike to see one or both of the tails are facing the ground. Is there a way to fix this? The plastic they are made out of seems really cheap and flimsy, so I am reluctant to start tightening things, I have a nasty habit of over torquing stuff  

2. This question is probably due to my inexperience as a rider, but I have been reluctant to take the bike over 60-65 because, even in 5th, the bike seems to be revving high. Since there is no tach, I have no way to know if that high rev is normal or if I'm pushing her beyond her limits? The bike is bone stock.

3. My brakes like to squeak when Im at low speed, slowing for a stop. The brakes are fine, no issues with them (no pulsing, hesitating, or any indication that the brakes are bad). I bought the bike from a dealership so I could be sure I wouldnt be dealing with mechanical issues during my first learning season. Which parts need to be occasionally lubricated? I don't want to just start spraying the bike down in WD-40 and hoping I get where the squeaking is coming from.
I also know there are better lubricants out there than WD (that stuff is for door hinges and chair wheels, not mechanical).

Thanks in advance for the help! I do love this bike, enough to where I will be buying a neglected '87 off a friends and doing a complete rebuild. I will undoubtedly be using this site as a resource when that happens.  

Welcome,

And you are right, some real wise cats and kittens on this site.

I will offer to you on the gas what was offered to me.

when you roll into 00's  (i.e. 5600) on the odometer, roll in and fill her up. That gives you 100 miles which works out about right. You will probably have some left, but at least it will give you a visual warning that it's getting close.

That has really helped me.

1. tail lights shouldn't spin, sounds like you're missing a screw or two.

2. don't worry about it till you hit 100 in 5th of course.

3. stock brakes squeal, several fixes, all temporary till you replace them with aftermarket.  Washing with soap and water all ways worked for me.  And getting them hot enough to drive off all water works too.

buy "kevlar" brakes when you replace.

a luggage lock from the Dollar store... makes a good trip meter...
I just set it to mileage when I fill-up... ...

I have had the spinning problem. Little blue loctite helps with that.

Speed limit here tops at 70 so I never get above 80. I tend to run seventy five most of the time.

Thanks for all the input everyone. Actually took the bike to the dealership today and they gave it the proper lubrication, so no more squeaking. Tried tightening the screw in my turn signal. Worked, but came loose again. I'm going to take the suggestion with the blue loctite, that stuff really does work wonders.

Just a couple more things I had questions about:

1. I use seafoam in my car (with amazing results) and I started using it in the Savage. 2 oz. per tank, didn't get any big smoke clouds, so I'm running on the assumption that the engine is still pretty clean (6700 on the clock). I've never used seafoam as a fuel stabilizer, but I've heard of guys who use it as that in vehicles with carburetors to counteract the 10% ethanol that is state mandated here in NY. Is this a good idea? I notice that theres a little less popping and afterfire. Would I get the same results with higher octane fuel? Considering the awesome mileage I get with this bike, spending another 40 cents for high test fuel won't kill me.

2. Is there any benefit of doing a chain conversion? I mean, aside from looks and all? I have no problems with the belt, just curious if theres a practical reason to do it.

My backhoe was making a hard knocking sound, I got sick of it, I thot it was an injector issue, dumped some injector cleaner in,, nothing,, didnt help any, talked to the guy at the parts house, bought the seafoam, dumped it in & was able to see improvement in 5 minutes,
the 87 Ford that the PO didnt change the fuel filter on, it would barely pull away from a stop,, I dumped injector cleaner in it several times, but now, after I went to seafoam, it starts & idles instead of surging & dying,

Seafoam has made enough of a difference that Ill pay the $$$ for it,.

I spose I could mix it up myself, maybe it was coincidence, after using the other stuff,, all I know is the knock in the hoe is no longer makin me wince & the pickup doesnt surge & die,