Drz400 Thread

[SSG B]

It has the rear brake light off of the foot brake and it is in working order. I guess the thing runs with out anything plugged into it. Perhaps I should leave well enough alone?

From what little of it I can trace it appears to head towards the front of the bike.

[955616846]

I was thinking that it might have been an un-lit bike (at least by DOT standards) and someone (if it wasn't you) added a lighting kit with a separate harness to get it tagged.

[Brods1675]

Originally Posted by tallpaul63

I'm new to DS riding, though I've done some miles on my DRZ on the roads.

I'm trying to prepare for roadside repairs, and need to know this:

Can I carry one spare tube only, sized for the front, and use it on the rear temporarily?

Is that what most folks do?

Thanks!

Further to this question, what tools should we carry? Just getting mine set up. So far 10mm nuts are about all I've encountered.

[eakins]

sweet!

Originally Posted by Yenool

Well I finally made the jump into DS riding. I was contemplating a bigger bike at 1st (VStrom or DR650) but tried a DRZ over the spring and just loved it. I've been looking off an on since and came across a good deal a 2 weeks ago. Last weekend I set up the suspension and took her out to a local trail. Quick 60min or so out in the San Diego back-country and had a blast!

My 1st obligatory "pavement ends photo"






Quality isn't amazing with my phone, but just stoked to have some dirt wheels.

[Mike_drz]

Originally Posted by SSG B

The tail light works with out this wire plugged in. Would it be there if it had an LED light at one time?

the plug goes to the constant on led running light in stock form with no brake light, that's the orignal drz400e's. from the extra wiring I see, I guess some of the owner may added a dual sport kit to it with a set of tail light assembly and harness as replacment.

this is the stock one should look like

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

[Brods1675]

Originally Posted by Brods1675

Further to this question, what tools should we carry? Just getting mine set up. So far 10mm nuts / bolts are about all I've encountered.

What other sizes would I need to carry, such as on the other end of a tyre lever?

[Gadget678]

Originally Posted by Brods1675

What other sizes would I need to carry, such as on the other end of a tyre lever?

When you actually start looking, there's a few different sizes of nuts & bolts on the bike:

This is what I generally carry (Keeping in mind that it may be someone elses bike that will stuff your ride up)




Spoke tool
Allan keys to suit all attachments on the bike (including for my Nav gear- when in use)
Open/ring spanners 8, 10, 12, 13, 14.
Suzuki 14/17mm open
Pliers. Small blade screwdriver
Wheel removal tools
Small shifter (someone always foregets to take tools with them)
Pointy nose pliers. Valve removal tool.
T bar & 8, 10, 12, 13 sockets
Sidecutters
Tyre levers, chainbreaker
Phillips screwdriver
Electrical test light.

On big trips, I'll also carry some electrical pliers, a bigger blade screwdriver, tools big enough to allow you to remove the front sprocket. I've also just bought a miniature air compressor so that I don't have to bust my gut getting the Dakar tyres up to their recommended 40psi.

Don't forget the spares though:
An assortment of nuts & bolts for the bike.
Some electrical wire, fittings & fuses
Tube/s, puncture repair kit
Joining link & short length of chain
DUCT TAPE & CABLE TIES
A rag often comes in handy, as will zip-lock bags (I have even used them to transfer fuel to another bike.)

[marine_mike]

Kinda siked. I bought all the stuff for using the trucklite 5x7 LED light on my DRZ as a headlight. It was still cheaper than the HID rally light set ups. Just have to wait until I get home late September to do it. Ohhhhh the torture.

[SSG B]

Originally Posted by Mike_drz

the plug goes to the constant on led running light in stock form with no brake light, that's the orignal drz400e's. from the extra wiring I see, I guess some of the owner may added a dual sport kit to it with a set of tail light assembly and harness as replacment.

this is the stock one should look like

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

It has a Baja Designs kit on it. Now it all makes perfect sense!

Damn you guys are smart

[KLXmcrider]

For those of you that have the BB kits what brand did you install? So far I have found on Ebay
Athena,Cylinder Works and others w/JE pistons.Prices range from $500 down to $320.All seem
to be fairly complete with cylinder,piston/rings,gasket set etc. Simple bolt on,uses low grade reg
gas(US).

So one question I have is does anybody have experience with the $320 kit offered from ApexRacing
the Ebay vender? Being the lowest price with no name piston/gaskets/parts taking a big risk? Not in
any hurry to buy still researching the farkles and upgrades available for this New to Me '00 E model.

Other things I looking into are larger cap.tank,rear rack (got a S subframe if needed for rack choice)
Currently have Answer fat bars w/aftermarket top triple that I don't like.Must be the bend/rise ?

I will be watching the current discussion on batteries.Mine came with a bikemaster std batt. It will start
the bike after sitting 1-2 wks but when it dies if not fully warmed up it will not turn over/restart.Bump starts
fine but not always an option.Kick start kit also of interest.Thank you for any input....David

[ptgarcia]

Originally Posted by KLXmcrider

For those of you that have the BB kits what brand did you install? So far I have found on Ebay
Athena,Cylinder Works and others w/JE pistons.Prices range from $500 down to $320.All seem
to be fairly complete with cylinder,piston/rings,gasket set etc. Simple bolt on,uses low grade reg
gas(US).

So one question I have is does anybody have experience with the $320 kit offered from ApexRacing
the Ebay vender? Being the lowest price with no name piston/gaskets/parts taking a big risk? Not in
any hurry to buy still researching the farkles and upgrades available for this New to Me '00 E model.

Other things I looking into are larger cap.tank,rear rack (got a S subframe if needed for rack choice)
Currently have Answer fat bars w/aftermarket top triple that I don't like.Must be the bend/rise ?

I will be watching the current discussion on batteries.Mine came with a bikemaster std batt. It will start
the bike after sitting 1-2 wks but when it dies if not fully warmed up it will not turn over/restart.Bump starts
fine but not always an option.Kick start kit also of interest.Thank you for any input....David

I would get the Cylinder Works kit. It uses quality components and has a solid track record. The Athena kit is great but over priced.

[Gadget678]

Originally Posted by KLXmcrider

For those of you that have the BB kits what brand did you install? So far I have found on Ebay
Athena,Cylinder Works and others w/JE pistons.Prices range from $500 down to $320.All seem
to be fairly complete with cylinder,piston/rings,gasket set etc. Simple bolt on,uses low grade reg
gas(US).

So one question I have is does anybody have experience with the $320 kit offered from ApexRacing
the Ebay vender? Being the lowest price with no name piston/gaskets/parts taking a big risk? Not in
any hurry to buy still researching the farkles and upgrades available for this New to Me '00 E model.

Other things I looking into are larger cap.tank,rear rack (got a S subframe if needed for rack choice)
Currently have Answer fat bars w/aftermarket top triple that I don't like.Must be the bend/rise ?

I will be watching the current discussion on batteries.Mine came with a bikemaster std batt. It will start
the bike after sitting 1-2 wks but when it dies if not fully warmed up it will not turn over/restart.Bump starts
fine but not always an option.Kick start kit also of interest.Thank you for any input....David

The kit with the JE piston has a Namura cylinder. A few of the local mechanics recently commented that if JE allow their piston to be sold with it as a kit, it must be good. http://www.namura.com/index.htm

[HellSickle]

Originally Posted by luni

It's just so heavy and slow and uncomfortable and old and it's the wrong color. I'd rather have something flimsy with weekly maintenance and new(untested) technology that I can only get dealer serviced, and if it came in orange or blue and white I'd be ecstatic. I hated it enough to commute to work on it every day before the sun came up year round just to make it suffer. An oil seal went out and I didn't notice and rode 10 miles with no oil just trying to kill it but it's stubborn. It has the audacity to ask for oil changes like Oliver. It never burns oil or leaks so why would it need an oil change?

You're right, I should just trade it in on something that won't make a weekend trip without hitting a maintenance interval that'll leave me stranded in the middle of nowhere. Or I'll give the ol' girl a wash, some new sprockets, a clean chain, fresh oil, a clean filter, and do a few laps around the local trails so she feels appreciated.

Glad you saw the light. Just ride it like it's a 2-stroke and you'll be fine.

[ptgarcia]

Originally Posted by Gadget678

The kit with the JE piston has a Namura cylinder. A few of the local mechanics recently commented that if JE allow their piston to be sold with it as a kit, it must be good. http://www.namura.com/index.htm

I don't think JE has any say whether Namura can package their piston in a kit or not.

[Brods1675]

Originally Posted by Gadget678

When you actually start looking, there's a few different sizes of nuts & bolts on the bike:

This is what I generally carry (Keeping in mind that it may be someone elses bike that will stuff your ride up)




Spoke tool
Allan keys to suit all attachments on the bike (including for my Nav gear- when in use)
Open/ring spanners 8, 10, 12, 13, 14.
Suzuki 14/17mm open
Pliers. Small blade screwdriver
Wheel removal tools
Small shifter (someone always foregets to take tools with them)
Pointy nose pliers. Valve removal tool.
T bar & 8, 10, 12, 13 sockets
Sidecutters
Tyre levers, chainbreaker
Phillips screwdriver
Electrical test light.

On big trips, I'll also carry some electrical pliers, a bigger blade screwdriver, tools big enough to allow you to remove the front sprocket. I've also just bought a miniature air compressor so that I don't have to bust my gut getting the Dakar tyres up to their recommended 40psi.

Don't forget the spares though:
An assortment of nuts & bolts for the bike.
Some electrical wire, fittings & fuses
Tube/s, puncture repair kit
Joining link & short length of chain
DUCT TAPE & CABLE TIES
A rag often comes in handy, as will zip-lock bags (I have even used them to transfer fuel to another bike.)

Awesome, just what I needed!!