savagethumper wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:08:



Tackle the tank stickers.  You don't need WD-40.  Grab a hair dryer, put it on medium or hot and start peeling starting with your fingernails and grabbing what you can when you can.  You will get it off in about 10 to 15 pieces in about 10 - 15 minutes.  Then wax the spot a couple times and you'll never know it was there.

Really.  And I don't have much in the way of fingernails!

Build yourself this very simple, effective and inexpensive bike lift to make your working on the Savage a darn sight easier.

http://www.nightrider.com/biketech/bikelift.htm

Larry Gagnon

Savage_Rob wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:11:


Good thought. Why don't you do the honors?

i built the same lift in july using the info in the link.
works great.
if i'm working on back of machine i push handle forward and  push back to work on front.  

curently it's pushed forward. i'm just finishing up a radical bob.  i'm using the half rear fender from my old gn 400. just debating  rechrome vs paint same color as tank and front fender.

i'ts a great lift and make sure the creator gets the credit for the idea

Another sticker removing tip. This stuff works like magic, easy enough on MOST (not all) stickers to scrape off with a fingernail. Naptha (Ronson's lighter fluid or Zippo Lighter fluid). In my line of work, I have to remove old stickers. This stuff is safe for use on just about anything. It evaporates fast and doesn't leave any residue. I removed the warning label off my tank with my fingernail, naptha, and a little elbow grease. Have an old bottle with caked on sticker residue? Pour some lighter fluid on it and wipe it off with a towel! Try it for yourself. I like it better than goo-gone.

--Mark

Easy Savage tinkering? Throw away the entire tool kit and buy some real tools.  For the cost of the factory kit, you can get a full set of open end combo wrenches, a t-handled spark plug socket, a handfull of dedicated screwdrivers, good allen wrench or two. Buy a LONG 6 pointed box wrench for the rear axle nut, not a 12 point or a thin wall socket (trust me, I broke the factory wrench). The belt gauge is a joke. Set the belt so it can be twisted 90 degrees to the line of travel, without the belt skipping. Any tighter is way too tight.

Solo seat conversion: stuff the voltage regulator in the air box. Mine has been that way since 99 with no problems.

Wiring: tape all the factory bullet connections. Mine would get moisture in them and the bike wouldn't start.

Squeaky belt: align the rear end to the drive pulley. Even then, it will squeak. Quiets it down a bit so it isn't as annoying.

Tire dressing: black shoe polish!

Brake fluid: Castrol GTX-LMA isn't as hydroscopic, so it holds up better. Higher flash point too...

Front disc: keep it clean! My front brakes have never worked right. Course, I did pop the fork seals within 5 minutes of taking possession at the dealership...

I got lots more...conserving bandwidth (okay, I'm too tired to type them all in).
-WD

Just my opinion... Impact drivers are a god sent, Craftsman tools are the best for value and warranty,  foam air filter cleaner (PJ1 and others) works great for sticker removal and smells a little better than WD-40, and will never use Armour-all on any of my tires, on anything I drive, It just collects dirt and then looks bad.

For taking decals off the tank, frame,  fork head etc, cut a hardwood dowel on an angle.  This gives you an clean hard edge to scrape with.  It is also one that will not scar the paint.  Allpy Goo Gone to the decal and let sit for 30 seconds or so.  Start to scrape with the dowel and the decal will start to lift.  Stay with it and in less than five minutes, you will have the decal off.  Wipe clean with paper towel and Goo Gone and then polish.  Outstanding!

I did this just yesterday with my new 05 and it worked perfectly.

Jack H.