[color=#00ff00][/color]Hey everyone, I just purchased an 01 suzuki savage ls650 for $300. Has a small oil leak and a flat tire, couldnt have gotten a better deal. The oil leak is the i belive most widely know oil leak to happen to this bike. It is near the top of the cylinder head right behind where the muffler bolts in. Something about a nut cap or something that always leaks. The part is $5 but a dealership charges $300. I have the complete manual and am very handy with tools and have the time to set aside 4-6 hours going slowly and taking everything off to re-seal the gasket cap or wtv. My first of many questions is should I?? Lets say i keep the engine in the frame which others say I am able to do to fix this small leak, what all can go wrong. I know i have to keep all the bolts in order because they are different lengths and what is there anything I need to be aware of first before trying, Like something I shouldtn do that is irreversable if I should happen to do so??

thanks for any info

yep thats the site Ive looked at before and thats teh problem.  Now reading through that, I have questions on verbage and what certain things are.

1st-  it states when you take of the head covers, you have to clean all the sealent off real well but not scrap or gouge it.  So how do you do that?? My first guess is a couple of damp rags and some windex.  Would that work?

2nd-Something about remembering to replace the stainless screen in the oil breather?   All of that is clueless to me.  Im guesssing I will knwo what it is when i take off the top but do you or anyone have any pictures of what i can expect to see??

3rd-Someone commented that before you take off anything, "set the engine to TDCC or TDC so that you release the pressure in the valves"   Where is the button i push to set the engine to TDCC???

4th-Someone said to make you when putting it all back together, to remember to put the oil screen all the way inside the head cover?   Again like the screen and oil breather thing, is it an actual screen taht i just put in there or what should i be looking for.  The manual really doesnt give good pictures on this step by step process.

this leak really isnt a big deal and i could prolly ride on without fixing it as long as i watch my oil levels but i think it would be cool to fix it. I have to wait a week anyways to get my rear tire tube in anyways. I might just have to "sink or swim" and slowly take it apart and if i f**k up, take a bunch of pictures and post on here again   haha

Thanks again to everyone!!!

rquarantello4232 wrote on 10/29/12 at 13:58:58:

No, not windex, though I've never tried that.  a little gas and a plastic scraper, final clean with acetone, but it depends on what they sealed it with.  some are easier than others.

Quote:

Button? roflmao
See the link in my sig? Click it and find adjust valves.  

rquarantello4232 wrote on 10/29/12 at 15:23:01:

signatures are at the bottom of the posts, mine has an orange pointing to a line of text, which is a link.

I replaced this "rubber plug" based on this site's abundent info and experienced members without difficulties.  Couple of things I can pass on are DON'T use 12 point sockets.  Rounded out a bolt head.  Remember to put the very top center bolt in before you reposition the head cover or you will be re doing your RTV line. The bolt will not clear the frame. I remembered this from reading this advice.  I cleaned the surface with contact cleaner from radio shack.  works great.  I went for really clean surface (don't cheat) and thin consistent rtv line and slow reposition and no leaks.  Dive right in it's easy.

Where'd he go?

haha im still here, ordered some parts online, ie. fuel line filter, new rear tire tube, oil filter, air filter, and a mega horn just for fun,  i want a honk honk sound if someones coming into my lane, not a beep beep.  So ill have to wait for these parts as well as a full day off before i can change the rear tire and nervously take apart the top of my engine.  Thank you all for the advice. I still have other questions but wont ask until i have my manual infront on me, (which i also need to see what year the manual is for oldfeller) and i buy the rtv sealant.  Thanks again!!

no no no,  im at work and my manual is al la casa,  so ill have an answer around 7.  i downloaded the manual offline at this website    http://www.tradebit.com/filedetail.php/8648947-suzuki-ls650-savage-service-ma...