Chasing unicorns - 1989/1990 Savage Terminator

[Rob L]

One of my toughest finds ever - the Savage Terminator. A small boutique MTB shop out of Lake Forest, CA (South Orange County) was a shop called Wheel Precision, owned by Robert Savage. Robert was one of the true early characters of mountain biking who had a reputation as one of the coolest and biggest hard ass out there. If he liked you, he was awesome, if he disliked you, watch out! Fortunately, I was able to hang out at his shop, drink beer long into the night, and ride! Robert was a crazy downhiller who actually broke his back hitting a waterbar at Big Bear during a downhill event that was on TV on the Wild World of Sports. Dude was back on his bike, against doctors orders, in 5 weeks.

Robert’s brother Bill, built off road cars for a large named automobile company. They decided to produce bikes in 1989 that would be custom built. Robert would design and Bill would produce, using off-road vehicle tubing. Thus we’re born the Savage Terminator and Savage Predator. The Terminator was featured in the Feb 1990 MBA and orders took off. It was a bit much and the production of these bikes was short lived. While spending many a night drinking at the shop, I always wanted one, but couldn’t afford it.

As time went on, I kept up the search. If finally came to fruition early this year. A true unicorn, another surfacing anytime soon is nearly impossible!

 

[Yaldie]

That looks very cool, nice find. Now you need to find the savage predator to complete the set

 

[joglo]

What a nice bike and indeed rare unicorn
I love it, especially also as the racing green goes nice with the organic forms, in particular the wishbone seat stays.

Although very nice, personally i wouldn't combine such a bike with tuning parts.
The saddle (great, also looking for an nice kevlar SDG in blue or red), stem and custom levers are to me maybe 5 years at least younger, XTR brakes also 2-3 years.
Moreover they are drawing focus from the nice frame.

 

[raidan73]

Great find @Rob L

I remember seeing that magazine article

 

[Double-E F]

Cool AF

 

[27motorhead]

WOW. I L O V E that!!!

What a rare find indeed. Love the unique tube forms, detailing and cable runs.

That doesn't look very lightweight! I have a Titan 1/2 Trac frameset and I reckon they could have a heavyweight weigh-off!

 

[incorrigible]

I saw this when it came up on Craigslist last year, but the owner never answered my inquiries.



To the OP, Rob L:
How many of these were made?
What is the serial number?
Can you take a pic of it?

To everyone:
What does the Predator look like? I can't find it on Google Images.
Does anyone have any pics?

@Raging_Bulls
I haven't forgotten about you!
The investigation continues...

 

[Retro_Roy]

Super Cool.

 

[Rob L]

I saw this when it came up on Craigslist last year, but the owner never answered my inquiries.

View attachment 670061

To the OP, Rob L:
How many of these were made?
What is the serial number?
Can you take a pic of it?

To everyone:
What does the Predator look like? I can't find it on Google Images.
Does anyone have any pics?

@Raging_Bulls
I haven't forgotten about you!
The investigation continues...

Robert and Bill Savage didn’t make a ton of these.I’d guess no more than 20. I know of 5, including this one, Robert Taylor’s, the one in MBA and two that Robert had hanging in his shop. No SNs.

Robert Taylor also has a Predator.