Even with the pictures, it's hard to see just how close the supports are to the tire, but...

... as can also be seen in the pictures, it would seem that the shop that sold me the tire and installed same apparently felt they had done me a favor and installed a tire that was taller and wider than the bike is supposed to have on it.

Given that, it would seem that the problem is that Suzuki expected more clearance from the original tires and didn't leave all that much room for wider/taller tires.

In my case, the wider (for those, like me before reading the information and learning along the way) comes from the "90" portion of the tire size.  The tire width is 90 percent of the height, which in this case would be the 150 portion of the tire size.

The original tire would have been a 140/80, so it would have been shorter and skinnier (only 80 percent of the 140).

I can order the smaller tire and get it installed, or... well, replace the shocks with the ones that I've ordered via eBay and see how that holds up.

At this point, I'd rather go with the shocks, though I may change my tune when I get the shocks and find them a total p-i-t-a to install (hopefully not, but I don't want to count my chickens...)

The tire on there is bigger than the stock.  If I remember correctly it was 140 / 80 / 15.  The one I put on was 140 / 90 / 15 and it was to big as well.

What's a rpc?

pg wrote on 09/17/13 at 19:35:59:


Running Production Change. Like when the carb jetting is changed, or stiffer spring rates are added, additional frame bracing is factory installed, etc. Bikes will be going down the line, and when the older spec parts are used up, the next bikes get the new spec parts. Design changes that do not require any sort of public notice. On one of my trucks, the 2 big rpcs were switching from floor shift 3 speed to column shift 3 speed, and floor mounted parking brake to dash mounted parking brake handle, mid year. Which to me was a step backwards. If my example had been a 3 on the tree, I'd have pressed the crusher button myself.

On Savages, rpcs are generally lighting or carburetor related (jetting). Or the factory finding a batch of obsolete parts and inserting them mid-run. Or your Made in Japan parts being phased out and Chinese/Taiwanese parts being phased in. Notice the increase in petcock failures since the LS650 became the S40... RPC.

Got the new shocks yesterday.  Shiny.  A small ding on one of them, but really not bad looking at all.  Glad that the pictures that the seller (on eBay) had taken were actually of these shocks and not just a generic picture that he had used.

Installed these "new" for me (but used, pulled from a VS800) shocks tonight.  Took a little effort and a bit of a balancing act to get the bike up on the jack, balanced somewhat on a cinderblock, etc., to the point that I could get the old shocks off and get the swingarm to drop a bit and open up the distance needed for the new shocks to be attached.  Got past that, got the shocks completely attached and bolted on nicely.

The Corbin seat had arrived in the last few days as well.  Since I was in wrench and socket usin' mode, I went for doing the install on the seat as well.  Got finished just before sunset, with just enough daylight out to be able to see a little of the road.

Took the bike for a ride to check out how tight the shocks are and whether I'd be likely to scuff up the sidewall any more.  Nope.

On the seat, wow, definitely a difference maker.  I have to say that I love. love. love.  LOVE the rear support, or should I say back support, that is provided.  The pocket for my rump to sit in on the Corbin feels great compared to the stock seat.  Woo hoo!

On the plus side, even though I'm working towards ordering the forward controls setup from Routy, I was pleasantly surprised at how comfortable the riding position is on the new setup.  With the butt end of the bike raised from the replacement shocks, I had more leg space available to me than I had expected.  I could certainly see where the forward controls would be more comfortable, but what I have now is definitely far from uncomfortable.

Almost a happy ending.  If not for the sidewall damage that will have me replacing that tire sooner than I might otherwise have done, I'd be pretty happy.  As is, it'll still be cool.  I'll get a few more miles out of the tire, replace it before next riding season, and be ready to roll again for the spring time.

I'd guess like Pine's bike... but in a faded orangish-pinkish-yellowish tone...  

1998s were good bikes, with really, and I mean really, low u.v. resistance bright orange paint. FYI, Kubota Type 2 (same thing as Alice Chalmers) orange is close enough, you can repaint the bike for about $12. Krylon Pumpkin Orange would run about the same but isn't as scratch resistant as tractor enamels.

pg wrote on 09/20/13 at 21:38:04:

Pics should be coming a little later today.  It was too dark last night to get pictures.  Hopefully the pictures earlier in the thread will show the "before" height fairly well.

Plenty of clearance under the fender now, and really, more comfortable for my somewhat longer legs to reach the ground from the new seat level.  End result = happy rider.