Posted by WD on September 17, 2000 at 19:20:17:
In Reply to: Exhaust Sound & "Stinky" Exhaust posted by Jeff on September 17, 2000 at 09:10:10:
1- The stock baffle can be removed, but it will take several hours of modifying a plasma cutter to reach them. Go aftermarket if you want a louder bike that doesn't run a true open pipe. If you want an open pipe, a standard chain link fence post has the right internal diamter to fit over the head pipe collar, just cut the length you want. Looks awful, but it is definitely loud.
2- Stinky (as in rich) exhaust? That's a new one on me. Check to see if the spacer was removed in your carb, and the little plate and screws reinstalled afterwards. Also, check the jets to see if they are still the stock size or if a previous owner added a larger (too large set-up. If your airscrew is still covered by the factory plug, that can cause fuel mixture problems as well.
3- Moving up to an 800? My wife rode my savage until we found her a very clean 1996 VS800 Intruder. She in her words could tolerate the Savage (set up for me, not her, it makes a difference), but loves her new bike. The only drawback to the Intruder mechanically is that the handlebars are non-adjustable. However, I'm modifying hers now for an HD bar, and after i finish grinding down the locater pegs built into the risers, it will be a perfect fit. I also need to reroute the wiring outside of the bars instead of internall, but suzuki was nice enough to make the wiring looms a bit oversized on this model f you want an even more classic look than the savage or Intruder, check out the Kawasaki 800 Drifter. Looks like a hard tail, has pretty fair looking brakes, and isn't overloaded with chrome. You could also check out the Maruader, although the paint and chrome have been rather rough on everyone I've looked at.
-WD