Hello I just purchased a 1987 savage for my girlfriend and the steering seems really heavy to me, like it wants to flop over to one side or another.  Is this common to savages?  Is there anything I can do to improve it?  Also it seems stock what mods I should do?  I looked around the site a bit and it seems like a new exhaust and air filter along with rejetting the carb are fairly common musts, but are there any others?  Thanks

Welcome to the "Savage world"
 You didnt say if she is just learning or if she is already a rider. A seat mod would be great if she is riding any length of time.
  If she is just learning, wait till she is comfy with riding. unless the bike needs work.
Then you can add things lik a wind sheild, ect that make it fit her wants.

I've had couple of early Savages and there is nothing weird about the hadling. It feels 100% like the "96 and later model. Why don't You check the front and rear tire pressure ?

I understand where you are coming from with your "heavy steering" comment. Even though I've ridden for 35+ years, and even had several crusier type bikes, none had the 35º rake or forward controls of the Savage. It only took me a few hours of riding time to adjust to the different feel of the front, and for my feet to start naturally finding the pegs. Once familiar with it, the Savage is really very easy to handle at about any speed.

The other poster's suggestions of checking tire pressures is also dead on. I've had several incidents of buying motorcycles and immediatly discovering low pressure in the tires.

I wouldn't worry too much about modifications until the bike is 100% on all maintenance issues that can be neglected on a bike approaching 20 years old. How many miles does it have on it? Tires been replaced yet? etc...
Good luck and welcome to the group!

think a number of people care more about look than ride (why HD sells so much stuff - same for Goldwangs - no offense to any who ride them, but boy there is a LOT of stuff to make them look more if not lit up then gussied up!)