Posted by Bruce Clarke on May 28, 2000 at 18:00:42:
In Reply to: Reflecting, Reminiscing and Techinical questions posted by sabro on May 27, 2000 at 17:29:51:
Posted by sabro on May 27, 2000 at 17:29:51:
> I just paid $400 for a tune up, clutch, rear
> tire and front brakes. My rear tire began
I usually do minor stuff (oil, filter, plugs) myself but take it into the shop for bigger jobs (valves, tires, etc.)
For a tune-up with nothing extra I pay about $100-$150. To buy a new rear tire is maybe $90 US plus $20 for mounting and balancing. Don't know how difficult the clutch is to do. The front brake should just require replacing the pads and brake fluid - say $80 US?
> cracking and only had 3000 miles on it, and the
Could be if the tire was the original 87 it was just old and rigid with age. Mine still has the original tires on it with about 13,000 miles. The back still has plenty of tread but the front is just about due for replacement. (Kind of funny - on most bikes I've rode the rear usually wears out before the front.)
> clutch was just beginning to slip, it could
> have gone a bit longer. The guy at the Ricks
> Import Parts and Repair in Colton says that I'm
> too heavy for this bike (down to 230 though)
> and I should think of buying something bigger.
There are bigger riders than you riding on smaller bikes. If you're happy with your Savage that's the important thing.
> He also said I should put thicker fluid in the
> front forks. My front tire is "cupping." What
> does everyone think? How would you do this?
Putting thicker oil in the forks would effect your suspension, not really your tire wear. Tire wear is more influenced by tire pressure (you check your tire pressure regularly, right?), age of the rubber, and aggressive riding.
>Bought some used Willie and Max slant bags. Any suggestions?
I just use throwovers over top of the seat so I can't really help you.
> Oil leaks! all around the head, blowing back
> across the fins and coating the battery cover,
> pipe, and my new/used bags with ick! Rick says
> don't bother fixing now, since I'll probably
> have to have the top end done in another 3-5000 miles.
Minor oil spots are no bigging - just keep your eye on the oil level.
I had a fairly noticeable leak around the head bolt at the front of the cylinder. I mentioned it to the mechanic the last time I took it in for a full service, and he torqued the head down a little tighter. That was in Septmeber. I've rode a few thousand miles since then. It is still leaking slightly but no where near as bad as before.
As for rebuild, what is the total mileage? Are you having any symptoms like knocking from the top end? If the Savage is properly maintained you shouldn't have to do something like a top end more than once every ?30,000? miles. Frank has about 60,000 miles on his Savage with no top end rebuild, but he is meticulous with his maintenance.