Posted by WD on April 19, 2001 at 05:33:10:
In Reply to: MISC Repairs, suggestions. posted by Jeremy on April 19, 2001 at 05:13:50:
Oh boy, you ain't gonna like these, but...
1) Have the tank pressure tested to 100 psi. If it holds, fill the gouge with Bondo and repaint it. If it fails, buy a replacement tank, it is cheaper than repairing it.
2) You can rebend the bars with a large pipe. Slip it over the bar and start pulling. Or, I have a set off an 800 Intruder, 1/4" taller and 1/4" narrower than stock Savage buckhorns, available, like new. E-mail if interested.
3) If it passed the presure test, your local radiator repair shop can either line it in-house or tell you who to take it to. You could do it yourself with Kreem, but the professional stuff works, where Kreem doesn't. I've had many a tank rust through a Kreem liner.
4) If they want to play hard ball like that, go to Napa and get an inline fuel filter, does a better job and easier to service at home.
5) If the rust is light, wash it off with kerosene and 0000 steel wool. Be gentle, Japanese motorcycle chrome is thin.
6) If you mean where the metal meets the rubber, either buy a new set of signals or some new mounting stems. I have a set of the complete signals available as well.
7) Without being able to put it to a scope, my best guess is you need a new voltage regulator. Barring that, the alternator may be shot, although it is highly unlikely.
You don't need to buy a new bike. Put some sweat equity in the one you have. If it was a honda I'd say junk it, but not a Savage, there are too few of them around as is. :-)
-WD