Yeah, mine doesn't have that notch.  I bought it off Fleabay.  I would have to go back and look at who the seller was.  The Keihin label states PWK38, but the barcode label reads PWK40.  Probably used a box for the 38 to ship the 40 in?

DragBikeMike wrote on 12/02/21 at 16:26:47:

That looks a little crude. Some say it gives a crisp throttle response. I’ll usually cut / file a “V” in the hood and I’ve seen the opposite , inverfed. Either way it’s supposed to aid in atomization.

I love getting parts in the mail!  Feels like an early Christmas present.

So now that replacements for damaged parts, and improvement parts are coming in, I thought I would summarize what changes I am doing to this engine/bike.  It helps me keep it all straight in my pea brain!  Also if the resident brains on this forum see something I left out they can chime in.  Hopefully I have it all covered.  In no particular order, here is what is happening to the engine and bike:

ENGINE
94mm Wiseco/Lancer HC flat top piston (improvement)
'95 DR650 camshaft (damage replacement & improvement)
'05 LS650 rockers w/ hardened pads (damage replacement & improvement)
'95 DR650 clutch (improvement)
'95 LS650 starter torque limiting gear (improvement)
Cylinder head porting (improvement)
OEM Valve guide seals (don't trust the age of what is there)
Valve seats/valves (just lapping, or cutting new)
Valve end grinding/clean up (length tolerance permitting)
Keihin PWK40 carburetor & jetting
K&N pod filter
Mac exhaust (already have a line on a complete system)
Verslagen cam chain tensioner
Verslagen head plug w/ o-rings
new gaskets and o-rings as required for parts that came apart
Engine painting (which parts TBD)

CHASSIS
RFY rear shocks reworked by CL MotoTech
Adjustable fork caps
Stock lower triple clamp used as upper
Front forks lowered ~1.00" - 1.25"
18" front and rear wheels w/ Buchanon aluminum rims & SS spokes
530 chain/sprockets conversion
Mid controls w/ Yamaha SX400 foot pegs
Fork brace
Airtech fiberglass seat/tail section
LED tail light/turn signal assy
Swing arm clearance for larger dia. rear tire
Lowbrow universal kickstand w/ internal spring (clean!)
Flat track handlebars
Tachometer/speedo in front of the bars (still debating this one)
Powder coated frame & swing arm
Bodywork & paint on tank, side covers, and tail

There is probably something else I am forgetting, but that seems to be the majority of it.  All of this from a non-running parts bike that has sat for God knows how long.  The clock shows 9500+miles, but who knows?  With how clean the cylinder and piston look, I am tending to believe the clock.  I got it without a title, so Nevada requires a bond title for 3 years before I get a clean title in my name.  In that 3 years it cannot be sold out of state. As with most of my projects, once I get started I tend to go all out.  Something very satisfying about bringing back a turd to life, even more so in a style that is completely different than what it started out in life!  This project has an estimated time line of completion next Spring, or Summer at the latest.  

A huge shout out to everyone on this forum for your help, suggestions, and advice.  I am not sure what to expect when it drives for the first time as I have never ridden one, let alone heard one in person.  I have only heard a video of one running.  darn the torpedoes...  full speed ahead!!

I swear when I’m riding my Savage the more I open the throttle the bigger the smile. Nothing like a big single , primitive , the essence of motorcycling.

One will come your way , only when you least expect it !

Thanks, Mike!