Well, I finally sat down and removed the OEM decals completely.  I drained the tank completely and let it air out for a week before working on it.  Then I used a hair drier to soften the adhesive a bit (which is as much as it would help) and painstakingly scraped it off a flake at a time using a plastic cooking sp00n (you know, the equivalent to the wooden stirring sp00ns) to avoid scratching the paint.  After that, I used Goo-Gone and a toothbrush to remove the adhesive.  Finally, I cleaned the surface up using a vinegar based glass cleaner.  I applied new decals and will give them a few weeks to cure before using any wax or anything else.  Would it be advisable to do my own spray can clearcoat over these?

Looks good 8)
How was the original clear removed?
It appears pretty thick, did it come off with the decal?
Will that decal take clear ?

The original clearcoat has only been removed where the decal was removed; it came off with it since they applied it over the decal.  I guess I could just wax it without the clearcoat on those areas but I'd read someplace about someone just using a can of clearcoat from their local auto supply house and didn't know if that would be recommended or not.  As to whether the new decal will take clearcoat, I hadn't considered that.  I guess I should probably check with the manufacturer before I do anything.

Saw some Bikes on Corbin's Ride On yesterday that had their gas tanks covered in brown leather ... thought it was a real cool look ... and a unique alternative to re-painting ... betcha it would look great on the Savage!

I wonder if you feathered out the edges where the decal was, and clearcoated the whole tank?  

When I removed the warning stickers on my '97 I was suprised that there was no fading.

Except that I don't want to remove the new decals, using a bit of rubbing compound and then clearcoating would not have been a bad idea.  If I change them, I'll rub it down, clearcoat, apply decals and clearcoat again.  There was no fading, just a very slight ridge where the edge of the decal was and the clearcoat ends.  As it stands now, it's only barely noticeable and I can probably feather it a bit before adding the clearcoat.  I contacted Weston Signs and Decals (where I got the decals) and was told clearcoat over the decal was just fine; that a lot of his customers do that.

Were you using Home Depot rattlecan clearcoat or do you have a spray gun?

If I decide to change the decal again (or if I hose it up badly) I'll rub the tank down seriously and get new clearcoat done at a body shop, apply the new decals, and clearcoat again.