SuzukiSavage.com - time for another rebuild; parts swap

groupus

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time for another rebuild; parts swap
10/09/12 at 10:15:29

So I f-ed up again and am in need of another rebuild. I'm interested in finding out what kind of parts are interchangeable with the savage. Not directly of course, but what can be made to fit? I have seen a few sportster tanks done and Cavi Mike is using one off of a GS, but I am (re)building a bobber/brat so i'm not into the cafe style of the GS. I'd rather not use a sporty b/c every bobber made has one and I want something that sits low to the back bone. I do have access to a welder and am quite competent with it. I'd rather only have to do simple things like add a tab for mounting, not cut the tank in half and stitch it back together. Also, only looking to spend around $100. Anything more than that and I could find a reasonable condition stock tank.

Anyway, I'm interested to hear your suggestions/experience. I'm definitely looking to do this type of rear fender and these bars. I made a side mount license plate/taillight, Harley bullet headlight mount, springer seat.

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Faster, faster, faster, until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death. ~Hunter Thompson

'03 Savage bobber. Rebuilt too many times.

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Cavi Mike

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Re: time for another rebuild; parts swap
Reply #1 - 10/09/12 at 10:20:05

The main problem I have with my GS tank is how long it is. I have the tank almost jammed against the stem but it still pushed my saddle a couple inches further back than what I would have liked and it screwed up my lines a little bit. I wanted my saddle to fit down in the dip of the backbone but even with a short 13" saddle, my butt has been pushed much farther back than I hoped. I'm still debating on cutting the rails and completely redoing my saddle mounts.

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groupus Senior Member Offline Maintenance is as much art as it is science. Posts: 296 PA Gender:	Re: time for another rebuild; parts swap Reply #2 - 10/09/12 at 11:17:24 I do like the way that tank looks on yours. It is hellishly long tho. I was considering an old dirt bike tank. something like an old 500cc tank would still have decent capacity too. Im assuming anything with a wider back tunnel would work well to accommodate the frame rails.
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Demin

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Re: time for another rebuild; parts swap
Reply #3 - 10/09/12 at 14:08:03

The reason everybody uses Sporty tanks is because they're easy to make work.
My Saga tank(kind of like the Mustang tanks) I had to cut the backbone out and raise it for it to clear.The problem is in our frames.Where it Y's it hits the back of aftermarket tanks.Plus unless you find a used tank cheap they average around 150 bucks new.
If you look close you can see where I had to modify my frame.

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Next project:finish '87 Savage custom/bobber/CHOP STYLE***DONE
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groupus Senior Member Offline Maintenance is as much art as it is science. Posts: 296 PA Gender:	Re: time for another rebuild; parts swap Reply #4 - 10/09/12 at 18:36:05 yeah, thats what I have figured out so far. most tanks have a single tunnel. I would imagine a sportster tank might take some persuasion with a BFH to be wide enough. some jap tanks have a wider tunnel in the back section. I'm just looking for ideas.
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justin_o_guy2 Serious Thumper Offline What happened? Posts: 55279 East Texas, 1/2 dallas/la.	Re: time for another rebuild; parts swap Reply #5 - 10/09/12 at 19:01:11 Faster, faster, faster, until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death. ~Hunter Thompson & how did that work out?
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groupus Senior Member Offline Maintenance is as much art as it is science. Posts: 296 PA Gender:	Re: time for another rebuild; parts swap Reply #6 - 10/09/12 at 20:58:10 it was thrilling.. Also, I'm looking into what other rear shocks would work on the savage. I know the RYCA uses longer shocks, but with a bobber, I would want stock length or shorter. I can get Harley parts fairly cheap used. any recomended varieties?
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justin_o_guy2 Serious Thumper Offline What happened? Posts: 55279 East Texas, 1/2 dallas/la.	Re: time for another rebuild; parts swap Reply #7 - 10/09/12 at 21:38:20 So,,, what wuzzit happened that now you hafta do more work?
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Demin Serious Thumper Offline We need more chlorine in the gene pool Posts: 2435 Warren,Ohio Gender:	Re: time for another rebuild; parts swap Reply #8 - 10/10/12 at 05:07:22 The Sporty tank sits on top of the frame rails.No need to make it fit.
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groupus

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Re: time for another rebuild; parts swap
Reply #9 - 10/10/12 at 08:58:24

Skidded rear, nailed a curb and highsided. I only managed some bruising, a dislocated thumb and pinched nerves in my neck, which is good considering that i ended up in the grass 40ft from impact. There is no substitute for a full face helmet. The bike is all smashed up: bent forks, bent rear shock (somehow), sheared the stop off the neck tube, and broken headlight, handlebars, tank, rear fender, taillight, turn signals, etc, etc. Good news is it still runs, frame is straight and wheels are true. I'll put pics up on a build thread at some point, or if this turns into one.

But Justin, do I really need a reason to rebuild? Cool

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Faster, faster, faster, until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death. ~Hunter Thompson

'03 Savage bobber. Rebuilt too many times.

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Re: time for another rebuild; parts swap
Reply #10 - 10/10/12 at 09:19:46

groupus wrote on 10/09/12 at 20:58:10:

Also, I'm looking into what other rear shocks would work on the savage. I know the RYCA uses longer shocks, but with a bobber, I would want stock length or shorter. I can get Harley parts fairly cheap used. any recomended varieties?

can't say for shorter, but the progressive suspension 412-1005 that fit's on a sportster is ok if you're a light weight. at 240# I was on the max setting. and it's 11" long, 1/2" longer and 1/2" more travel too.

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groupus

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Re: time for another rebuild; parts swap
Reply #11 - 10/24/12 at 08:22:23

FYI, honda rebel shocks are 10.5 inches and have have the same eye style as the savage and harleys. I couldn't tell you if the hole diameter is the same, but it is something to consider. Also, moped shocks are an option for shorter shocks.

I also just happened across these. Has anyone ever considered using the dogbone suspension linkage from a sport bike as hardtail struts? Could be an interesting option for people without the means to make their own struts. They vary in length but are about 6-7 inches long. And they're aluminum so they are light and you can polish them to be all sorts of shiny, if thats your thing. Real cheap too.

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Faster, faster, faster, until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death. ~Hunter Thompson

'03 Savage bobber. Rebuilt too many times.

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misterbbq

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Re: time for another rebuild; parts swap
Reply #12 - 10/24/12 at 09:23:15

groupus wrote on 10/10/12 at 08:58:24:

Skidded rear, nailed a curb and highsided. I only managed some bruising, a dislocated thumb and pinched nerves in my neck, which is good considering that i ended up in the grass 40ft from impact. There is no substitute for a full face helmet. The bike is all smashed up: bent forks, bent rear shock (somehow), sheared the stop off the neck tube, and broken headlight, handlebars, tank, rear fender, taillight, turn signals, etc, etc. Good news is it still runs, frame is straight and wheels are true. I'll put pics up on a build thread at some point, or if this turns into one.

But Justin, do I really need a reason to rebuild? Cool

woah! glad you're relatively ok!

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Cavi Mike

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Re: time for another rebuild; parts swap
Reply #13 - 10/24/12 at 09:50:59

groupus wrote on 10/24/12 at 08:22:23:

I also just happened across these. Has anyone ever considered using the dogbone suspension linkage from a sport bike as hardtail struts? Could be an interesting option for people without the means to make their own struts. They vary in length but are about 6-7 inches long. And they're aluminum so they are light and you can polish them to be all sorts of shiny, if thats your thing. Real cheap too.

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/06-07-KAWASAKI-ZX-10-Shock-Linkage-Dogbones-/00/$(KGrH...

Way too short unless you do some heavy modification to the frame. My links are 8-1/4 inches and my tire is 1/8" from the frame.

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