SuzukiSavage.com - Big Johns Project

justin_o_guy2 Serious Thumper Offline What happened? Posts: 55279 East Texas, 1/2 dallas/la.	Re: Big Johns Project Reply #15 - 11/17/12 at 03:23:41 Suzuki wont do it, Id bet, ohhh, but those Ryca guys mite,,.
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strang Senior Member Offline Posts: 387 london Gender:	Re: Big Johns Project Reply #16 - 11/17/12 at 06:42:20 Really like this bike, kind of retro without shouting. Tail light/backrest setup is very slick. Is that a bigger headlight as well? Also: Note to anyone thinking of fabricating centre stands - I will buy
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Gyrobob

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Re: Big Johns Project
Reply #17 - 11/17/12 at 06:51:00

justin_o_guy2 wrote on 11/17/12 at 03:23:41:

Suzuki wont do it, Id bet, ohhh, but those Ryca guys mite,,.

If they start making centerstand kits for Savages, it will cost $500. I'm not saying anything negative about Casey or Ryan, it's just the reality of the costs of fabrication for something like this for lot sizes of five or so, twice a year.

The good news would be,... if you could find some way to come up with the moolah, a week later you'd have a lovely centerstand that would work correctly right out of the box. The way they would engineer the kit, it'd probably take 30 minutes to install.

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Big John

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Re: Big Johns Project
Reply #18 - 11/17/12 at 08:07:18

I have also modified the suspension by lowering the front forks according to Ryca, and added 11 1/2 " shocks to replace the 10 1/2 " stock ones. This lifted the rear of the bike a little. Unfortunately, changes like that can easily affect the design of the center stand, possibly requiring modification. If you have to take the work to a shop, be ready to take it back a few times to make changes needed to get the stand right. There is a lot of trial and error involved. I don't know of any other way to get it right than by trial and error. I used half a spool of welding wire and a couple of cutting wheels on my angle grinder fiddling around with it until I was satisfied.

I am pretty happy with it now, particularly as I did not have to weld to the bike frame. It is entirely bolt-on.

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Re: Big Johns Project
Reply #19 - 11/17/12 at 08:24:31

I am glad you guys like my little creation. I was going for a retro look (I grew up riding Brits in the 50s and 60s) without spending a lot of money.

I get lots of looks from folks. They aren't sure what it is, and I have been questioned about it several times. They are amazed when I tell them it is an '03.

The headlight is from a HD Fatboy, with a diamond lens setup. The tail light is LED from a Chinese e-bay vendor. I hate turn lights on stalks, so replaced those with smaller ones on the back. They are built into the mirror arms on the front.

I will probably put an 18" rear tire on it when I need to replace the current tire. The fat rear tire does not look right on this bike, IMHO.

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Dave

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Re: Big Johns Project
Reply #20 - 11/09/14 at 04:02:09

I added this build to the Bike Build Stickey......it was buried in the old RSD posts and a lot of folks may not have seen it.

I like the look, it takes some of cruiser look away from the bike and makes it look like an older style bike. The larger headlight is a nice touch, and might be a good solution for all those looking for a better headlight with minimal modifications for the mount. The handlebars also look good on the bike.

Dave

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Kris01 Serious Thumper Offline Eat, sleep, RIDE! Posts: 3767 Tennessee Gender:	Re: Big Johns Project Reply #21 - 05/05/15 at 18:17:30 Great idea but that means Suzuki has to put more money into their bottom of the barrel, lowest priced cruiser. Ain't gonna happen! Your best bet is to con, uhhh, persuade a custom builder to produce them for us.
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Art Webb

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Re: Big Johns Project
Reply #22 - 05/05/15 at 19:57:51

Gyrobob wrote on 11/17/12 at 06:51:00:

justin_o_guy2 wrote on 11/17/12 at 03:23:41:

Suzuki wont do it, Id bet, ohhh, but those Ryca guys mite,,.

If they start making centerstand kits for Savages, it will cost $500. I'm not saying anything negative about Casey or Ryan, it's just the reality of the costs of fabrication for something like this for lot sizes of five or so, twice a year.

The good news would be,... if you could find some way to come up with the moolah, a week later you'd have a lovely centerstand that would work correctly right out of the box. The way they would engineer the kit, it'd probably take 30 minutes to install.

There was a guy on Honda Rebel forum who made them in his home workshop for less than $100 for the Rebel
Nobody bought them
Most people today have no appreciation for center stands, they all have AAA bike towing
as a guy who remembers when a tow truck wouldn't touch a bike, I wish one was available
unfortunately, I don't weld, and don't cut that well

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