DeadKings wrote on 03/09/17 at 11:43:13:totally new to the forum , but long time rider . I picked up a 1986 savage for $600 bucks about 8 months ago . i have always liked Suzuki's owned a few in the past mostly 850 or bigger . I only picked up the savage to fix up and flip . I have since but about 10,000 mile on top of the original 6638 I got it with. I really like this thing and have bought another 99 savage Im currently putting back together to possibly hard tail or mono shock . Anyway point being I really want to take one of these bikes with my buddies across the country and back coming up this may 17th 2017. Is this crazy ? does anyone see any issues the rest of the 5 guys going are all ridding 650 cc bikes or less with one exception a Honda shadow 1300 . They are all riding import bikes too . I have been riding this thing pretty much every day rain or shine and its only had minor issues . I have a pod filter and open exhaust with a single lollipop style baffle {I know I know not supposed to do that } but I love the look} currently in the process of the raptor petcock switch on both bikes . plus a few others . also im very interested in ordering the modified cam chain adjusters for both bikes asap as I plan to take the best running of the 2 on the trip . Again as
I ramble on trying to post way to much info .... Im looking for advice on a few things such as best power to fuel consuption set ups. any tips for high mileage runs on these things. I ride daily but my commute is mostly short .I have been on a few 100 and 200 mile trips with it and have a few more planned before the big cross country in may . Ii know I forgot something but that is about all I can think of for now thanks ahead of time for tips and suggestions .
Hi, DeadKings, this is Maurizio from Rome, Italy.
(No, not Rome, NY, I'm really in Rome, Italy !)
You inquire about long range touring etc.
Many here are experts but I would like to think one more opinion will not hurt, add insight.
I have a 1988 Savage, that's a 4-speed.
1. The 4-speed has widely spaced gears, so you have to rev to a good 4000rpm in 3rd before you can safely engage 4th gear, especially if you're climbing.
2. Standard OEM belt drive final drive ratio is 2.94 (IIRC)
3. Tiny 2 gal. tank will give you a
safe average 100 miles range.
Having these three points well focused, here are my thoughts:
1. Stage 1 upgrade: free-flow air filter (see my bike, the round shiny thing behind the toolbox is a K&N air filter connected to the carb via a rubber 90°elbow), rejet the carb, HD Sportster/Dyna muffler.
That should give you a little more ooomph and most importantly allow the engine to rev more freely.
2. Final Drive upgrade: I went the "chain drive" way, fitted a 17/49 ratio with a 530 chain with O-rings (hassle free).
I highly recommend the 530 chain over the 525 because when the engine thumps it packs quite a punch!
A 520 chain is, IMHO, definitely undersized.
17/49 will give you a 2.88 final drive ratio, which is a tad longer-legged and will counter any speedo error
OR
you may fit a 16/45 which will give you a 2.81 final drive ratio.
OR
you may fit a 17/47 which will give you a 2,76 final drive ratio.
I sincerely recommend NOT going too long in the tooth or you might be forced to cruise in 3rd up very long climbs, as 4th simply won't have enough torque.
3. Bar-mounted Tachometer and speedo: Moving your instrument cluster to the handlebars has two advantages:
- you don't need to look between your knees to see how fast you're going, and
- you can use the tank for a magnetic hold-all.
Here is the kind of speedo and tacho many of us use:
As the bike will not do any more than 80 mph and rev no more than 6000rpm,
I suggest your speedo go no more than 140mph and the tach no more than 8000 rpm.
This frees the top of the tank for a small magnetic holdall for stuff and a map (or navigator) in the transparent top pocket.
Don't overdo it and keep the bag small as the Savage is a small bike with a small tank ! But you'll love it !
4. Windshield: The Savage is a small bike with limited horsepower, yet a windscreen is always welcome.
If you can source a HD Sportster windscreen, that is all you really need to keep the wind off your chest.
Just make sure it is no higher than your shoulders, you want to make sure your line of sight goes
over the windshield, not through it !
5. Engine Guard: Some call it "highway bar". Whichever, it acts as protection to your knees in case of a close shave, and protects the engine in case you go down.
(Nobody wants that, but should it really happen you want to pick up the bike, brush off the dirt and ride away... not mop up blood and guts and engine oil...)
As for extra range, bigger tanks - that is a topic which I have read about but never tried myself.
Europe is sooo crowded you will find a gas station every 5 miles or so...
But I'm sure you can easily go the 4, 5, 6 gallon route if you really wanted !
This is called the "Fat Bob" tank (it's a style name) and fits HD Softails, but I'm sure it can be properly adapted to a Savage frame before any fuel is poured into it.
Read THIS for inspiration !
http://perry-visorviewpoint.blogspot.it/2011/03/how-to-auxiliary-fuel-tank-fo...