Super Thumper
Senior Member
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2001 LS650 With 97mm Big Bore Kit, Stage III Cam.
Posts: 469
Windsor, Vermont
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Josh C.
I think the labor charges are backwards here - $120 sounds in the ballpark for the valve adjustment, spark plug & oil change.
$300 is more like it for the cam chain replacement.
PLUS parts.
Here is what I would charge for the same work so you can use this a a reference. My shop labor rate is $49.95 an hour.
To adjust the valves & change the spark plug you need to remove the driver's seat and the gas tank...NOT a big deal.
Valve adjustment, Oil & filter change & new spark plug...1.5 Hrs. labor $74.93 --- Spark plug - $4.95, Oil (Shell Rotella T) & NEW filter - $19.95. Total $99.83
To replace the cam chain you need to drain the oil and remove the clutch cover to get access to the cam drive gear...this needs to be removed to remove the cam chain. To access the camshaft gear the rocker arm cover must be removed. The rocker arm cover cannot be removed with the engine in the frame - there isn't enough clearance under the top frame rail. I won't go into detail here but next time you look at your Savage imagine what has to be removed, unbolted, etc. to get that engine out of the frame.
FYI: there are some folks who say that you can unbolt the engine and lean it out of the frame on the magneto cover side while you remove the rocker arm cover and cam chain. This assumes you have another mechanic who can stand there holding the engine for you while all this work is being done...assuming the magneto cover does not get scratched or otherwise damaged while that engine is leaning out of the frame. Not practical since now you are paying for TWO mechanics at $49.95 per hour each. I have a steel cart with a custom made engine stand to hold the engine firmly and safely so I can work on them.
Parts listing:
NEW cam chain: $119.95 NEW Oil filter and Shell Rotella T Oil: $19.95 Clutch cover gasket $14.95 Misc. solvents, sealers, cleaners etc. $9.95
Total parts: $164.80 - This assumes that your cam chain tensioner, cam chain guides, camshaft, cylinder head cam bearings, camshaft end plug etc. are all in good shape.
Total Labor - 6 hrs @ $49.94 hr - $299.70
Total: $464.50
I use CRC gasket remover...it is Great STUFF, spray some on that gasket, let it sit for about 10 minutes ans it comes off with little effort. Thicker or badly dried and stuck gaskets may require you do this twice bit still it is easy.
There have been a few nightmare scenarios where I have found valve adjuster cover bolts so chewed up I couldn't get them off and had to drill them out. Of course there have been a few broken bolts and screws as well. I have a collection of hardened Allen head fasteners that when I find chewed up Phillips head screws or bolts I replace them with quality Allen head ones. The most common ones I replace are: Carb flange bolts (Phillips), valve cover adjustment bolts(hex 5 point), decompression lever bracket bolts(Phillips). These almost always get chewed up because they are made of soft CHEAP material and removing them when they are stuck can be a problem, even when using an impact driver to remove stuck Phillips head bolts they sometimes break off.
I hope this helps.
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