The shocks are easy, just pick up a set of longer Progressives on ebay (it may take a few attempts to get what you want at the price you want ... just be patient and bid bid bid).  The 14mm inserts to make it possible to mount the Progressive shocks to the Savage are part #5011-051, and will cost about $12 + shp.
If you want to raise the front end and do it cheaply then do not replace the forks, just replace the fork springs with a longer set.  Progressive fork springs retail for about $50.  Take out the stock springs and measure them ( diameter and length) and then call Progressive with the info of what you need.

You should be able to do front and rear for less than $200, maybe even $150.

luken wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:12:


I'll post whatever suspension changes I eventually make.

Here is what I've already discovered through figures input to a frame geometry calculator: Since the Savage has 5.8" trail as stock; If the fork legs are lengthened 4" without raising the rear end, the "trail" will increase to about 7" and that is beyond the 3"-6" figure that is considered desireable for good handling on the street.

I figure raising the rear a couple of inches with shocks and a bigger tire will decrease the rake angle by a couple of degrees,  and therefore decrease the trail a bit also.  (Or at least keep the raised front from increasing the rake and making the trail beyond reason.)

As an interesting sideline: I've discovered that the folks who have put longer shocks and big tires on the back of their Savage, probably have had positive handling results as opposed to a "big mistake" and messing up the stock geometry as one rider was told by a dealer. That is if you prefer a bit more nimble feel to your steering. I don't mind that feeling myself. Just increasing my handlebar width to 32" made my Savage handle a great deal better IMO. Your Mileage May Vary.

If you look closely you can see there is about 30mm of ride height adjustment on the forks and preload adjustment front and rear.

Clive W  

klx650sm2002 wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:12:


That should prove really handy for fine tuning handling. I remember you saying that your mono-shock swingarm was from an RD400? I had a couple of friends with those, but I don't remember that setup. Even back then, when my friends were crazy for the super quick Yamaha RD bikes, I prefered the SR500. It was just a really fun bike to ride.

Went on a test ride on a brand new one in 1978, and remember that was the first street bike I ever got the rear wheel off the ground with by grabbing a big handfull of front brake!  

Eventually did own an SR in the late 80s after having had every one of its big brothers in the XS line at one time or another. Still wish I had my XS650 Special II twin  

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