Hello!  I am looking into swapping my stock ignition controls and signal/light controls for...  something.  Been looking at options, would love something a little smaller and ideally black to fit my new build.  

So I am asking if anyone has had experience with different options or anything to keep in mind when piecing together replacements.  Any tips are appreciated!

1" handlebars obviously, 86 savage, stock wiring otherwise as far as I know.  

I'll post pics and updates from my build as it progresses, I only have time to work on the bike every few months though so bear with me.  And as always, thanks for such a useful and informed forum!

justin_o_guy2 wrote on 02/01/15 at 19:32:06:


Not my first bike but this is the only Savage I've ever owned, got it a few years ago and worked on it with a friend, love the bike but want to just re-do the overall style of it.  I'm going car free starting next month for a while and putting some dough into the bike in preparation for that, maintenance and cosmetics (just ordered a jetset from Lancer, looking forward to that).

So no, not my first bike to modify, had a handful of Hondas over the years I've tooled with and a BMW for a while, had the Savage 3 years now and it's certainly my favorite.

I've never done much with replacing electric stuff though, just seeing if there is a 'Savage preferred' after market piece or any peculiarities to watch out for when finding something compatible.  Thanks!

justin_o_guy2 wrote on 02/01/15 at 20:53:12:


This has been enlightening

You can change the handlebar switches for something else - but you can't do it easily.  You need to be sure you pick a master cylinder that has the same size bore as the Savage.  You will find a small number on the size of the master cylinder that show the size......like 12, 14 or 1/2....or you can buy aftermarket master cylinders in any size you need. Some master cylinders have the brake light switch built in - others need a pressure switch installed in the hydraulic line.

For the electrical components you need to look at the wiring diagram for the donor bike and confirm the electrical switches operate similarly, and that you can connect and splice wires into a system that operates the same as the Savage.  A lot of the electrical components are tied together - and the clutch safety/side stand safety/neutral light/stop switch/starter button are all connected and interact with each other.   It is doubtful that you will find anything that can just plug into the existing wiring harnesses.....in fact I bet it is impossible.  You have to cut the wiring harness, splice the harnesses together using the wiring diagrams for both bikes, and make changes as necessary.  When I did this I had to account for the fact that the hazard light switch that used to be on the right side control was now over on the left hand control.  This meant those wires had to be re-routed from the wiring harness that goes to the right hand control and over to the wiring harness on the left handlebar control....and done through the wiring harness plugs if you want it to just plug in like normal.

I went with 7/8" bars, a Honda TRX 400EX master cylinder, a Kawasaki KLR 650 right electric control, a Magura Enduro throttle, a GSXR 600/750 clutch lever, a GSXR 1000 left electrical control, and a BMX bicycle lever that I used for my compression release.  I had tried a CRX450 clutch lever with a compression release lever - but the clutch lever had too short of a clutch lever pull to properly work the clutch on the Savage.

I did lose a few nights sleep tossing and turning while I worried that I would be able to work the wiring changes out properly.  It is a lot of work....and the wiring changes can be pretty intimidating.