Hey everybody. I made an intro in that section, but figured I would start a thread with pictures over here to help track my progress as I work on the bike to make it look better.

I bought a 1997 Suzuki Savage LS400 for $1000 (including Icon reflective vest, 3/4 helmet and gloves). I'm stationed in Japan with the US Navy, so the biggest bike I could get to start with is up to 400cc.

Bike needs new tires as the ones on there are dry rot and cracked real bad. I just ordered a new front right footpeg/ brake lever off of flea-bay, because the on on mine is bent to crap. Also looking for a new left front footpeg because mine is broken off.. still enough there to keep my foot on.. but I want a whole peg there.

Other than that, it's got some rust/corrosion issues from being left outside uncovered by it's last owner, so I'm gonna try to find some chrome polish... and maybe try that aluminum foil trick I read about.

Anyways.. on to some pics... let me know what you think, give me ideas, etc. It seems MOST things are the same as the 650, so for basic body/mechanical parts I should be ok.

The day I bought it:





You can see behind the bike.. that's where it was parked. Outside, sort of under cover. Also you can see the rust on the front rim spokes and how bad the tires are cracked... the back looks pretty much the same.


All strapped down and ready to go home... that bike did NOT move, haha.



Like that truck? Thing felt like it had a weed-eater engine in it. Oh yea, I got to keep those heavy duty straps too. 4 sets.. sweet.

Welcome to the group! Looks like it's pretty solid Dawg. Should be a nice scoot when you get it the way you want it!

T-Dawg wrote on 06/16/12 at 18:08:50:


You got it Dawg. As far as I know all the 650s came from the factory equipped with belt-drive. Many owners have done the conversion for various reasons though.

Nice bike. I have the same. LS 400 enough dynamic motorcycle. It seemed to me that a more dynamic than LS650 . up to 100 mph maybe it will not run, but at startline would overtake LS 650. I imagine the contrary put belt drive instead of chain (from LS 650 all parts fully resemble). I like.

I seem to disagree. still horse power here not in the first place.
and even with almost equal weight to both. ls400 seemed to me more dinamic ...
or maybe just a thought?

wambr wrote on 06/18/12 at 07:19:06:


Back in the day (1973) I worked at a Kawasaki dealer....and got to road test the 250, 350, 500 and 750 bikes.  They were all 3 cylinder bikes and a ton of fun to ride.  The weird thing was that the small bikes felt much faster to ride - and it was a result of the tuning/porting I believe.  The 750 and 500 had a ton of power and it was very smooth.  The 350 and 250 did not make a lot of power at first - but then you would hit an rpm where they came alive and they would lift the front wheel for a short burst.  They felt so much faster because the power curve was not as smooth as the larger bikes.....and it was a lot of fun!

It could be that the LS400 has a bit wilder state of tune than the LS650, and feels faster.

Appreciate all the replies to this thread... hadn't checked it in a few days.

As far as power... the thing has plenty. Stops are short between most stoplights.. and speed limits are slow here. Highway speed limit is 80km/hr which is only about 50mph.

I am mainly using it as a commuter to/from work. My wife drives the car and I get sick of walking. We have a 2 car limit, 1 per licensed driver.. and the motorcycle counts as a car.

I will occasionally use it for short trips, rides, meet-ups with local riding clubs.

Mainly I bought it because I've always wanted a Harley (I know, I know)... I plan on buying one when I get back to the states, so I took my MSF course here and bought this bike to learn on. And it kind of looks like a small Harley.. so that doesn't hurt either.

Are the pullies and belt the same size on this bike compared to the 650?