DR350 Thread

[RuggedExposure]

Got the molle panels in, for $9 each they sure beat the $180 Tank Vest.

I attached a holster on the right side, I had this one laying around from an old vest. I really wanted it on the left so I'll probably order a left handed one whenever I get my Acerbis tank on here. But for now, I can still work my left hand over and use this if need be.


I put a water bottle holder/storage pouch on the left side and still have room for other things like a gps holder. Plus the molle panels have internal storage large enough for maps. I'll end up trimming the excess off the straps once I get the Acerbis tank on here.


For $20 I can't complain.

[Spad]

Originally Posted by 2bold2getold

There's some good info here http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=528784

Thanks DisTech.

If it was mine, I'd be trying to drill and tap that hole, or get some help if you need to.

Thanks for the link; it's a great write-up.

As to getting help, I am - from Kientech. I went back and forth for a while, but I really don't mind drilling and tapping (well, I do mind chipping out old bolts). In the end, I'd just end up with an equally lame bolt in a hole that might end up if anything slightly oversize. This way, I'll have a stronger bolt there.

One of the reasons I got this bike is that it's a good one to learn wrenching on. Parts are still available, and it's not my regular ride so if I take a while I'm not left high and dry.

-Spad

[kaukasion]

quick question, the idle mixture screw, do you turn it out for more fuel or in for more fuel? i think im idling a lil rich and want to lean it out but im not convinced im turning it the right direction it starts and idles great but just seems to smell a lil rich

[2bold2getold]

Originally Posted by GlennR

50 lbs?

I thought that the XT225 is 267lbs and the DR350 287 lbs, if that's right it just 20 lbs.

If the DR350 is top heavy, like the DRZ400S, it probably feels like 50 lbs on the trails.

60 mpg sounds pretty good.

I weighed my "98 DR350se (legal, e-start) the day I got it. With half tank (~ 2 gallons) it was 302 lbs. I don't find it top heavy at all. Not like the KLRs. I'm 6'- 160lbs. On a recent trip, about 50/50 off road with some single track, it averaged 68mpg (other models/your results may vary) at 7k ft to 12k ft in the northern NM mountains. Motor is stock with stock gearing, and has 325 frt and 510 rear Kenda K270s.

[2bold2getold]

Originally Posted by Spad

Thanks for the link; it's a great write-up.

As to getting help, I am - from Kientech. I went back and forth for a while, but I really don't mind drilling and tapping (well, I do mind chipping out old bolts). In the end, I'd just end up with an equally lame bolt in a hole that might end up if anything slightly oversize. This way, I'll have a stronger bolt there.

One of the reasons I got this bike is that it's a good one to learn wrenching on. Parts are still available, and it's not my regular ride so if I take a while I'm not left high and dry.

-Spad

Maybe I wasn't clear. I ment drill and tap it for the 8mm bolt if you can't get the old one out clean. If it doesn't work, you won't be much worse off. Still the same job, just have to get a replacement shift drum. But if you just want to do the wrenching, ok. I like working on em too. But these days I don't go out of my way to do major rebuilds. Done enough of that.

[slartidbartfast]

Originally Posted by RuggedExposure

Got the molle panels in, for $9 each they sure beat the $180 Tank Vest.

I attached a holster on the right side, I had this one laying around from an old vest. I really wanted it on the left so I'll probably order a left handed one whenever I get my Acerbis tank on here. But for now, I can still work my left hand over and use this if need be..

That's a neat and versatile solution but I'm stumped as to why you'd want to carry your handgun like that. Surely it's just asking to get dirt in it or to attract the wrong sort of attention (whatever that may be.) Are you planning to put another cover or tank bag over the top or have some other way of carrying it more discreetly?

I use a pair of cheap ATV tank panniers to which I eventually added a tie-down strap so they wouldn't flip back into my lap whenever I go over 50 mph (not in the pic below). They have a water bottle holder on the outside and are well enough constructed to keep out dust and mud under normal circumstances, although I wouldn't trust them to keep anything critical dry in a rainstorm or river crossing. They are certainly suitable for carrying a handgun but not in an immediately accessible way

[2bold2getold]

Originally Posted by kaukasion

quick question, the idle mixture screw, do you turn it out for more fuel or in for more fuel? i think im idling a lil rich and want to lean it out but im not convinced im turning it the right direction it starts and idles great but just seems to smell a lil rich

IIRC in general, turning the "mixture" screw out will make it richer. There is an idle air jet (carb throat) and idle fuel jet (float bowl). These two screwed in jets combine to control the mixture and the screw controls the volume of that mixture that enters the carb throat on the motor side of the butterfly. This mix combines with mostly air that gets by the butterfly. Then the idle speed screw opens the butterfly a little and/or lifts the slide (either with vacume on the CV carbs are mechanically). This adds a little extra air so you can open the idle volume screw for ballance. Adjusting the idle speed and mixture screws together should give the best results. On some bikes (FZ1) there are multiple holes in the bottom of the carb throat, three behind and one in front of the butterfly. The extra holes are there to help with the lean transition (bog) from the idle circuit to the midrange circuit. Kinda like what the accellerator pump does on the pumper carbs.

[kaukasion]

Originally Posted by 2bold2getold

IIRC in general, turning the "mixture" screw out will make it richer. There is an idle air jet (carb throat) and idle fuel jet (float bowl). These two screwed in jets combine to control the mixture and the screw controls the volume of that mixture that enters the carb throat on the motor side of the butterfly. This mix combines with mostly air that gets by the butterfly. Then the idle speed screw opens the butterfly a little and/or lifts the slide (either with vacume on the CV carbs are mechanically). This adds a little extra air so you can open the idle volume screw for ballance. Adjusting the idle speed and mixture screws together should give the best results. On some bikes (FZ1) there are multiple holes in the bottom of the carb throat, three behind and one in front of the butterfly. The extra holes are there to help with the lean transition (bog) from the idle circuit to the midrange circuit. Kinda like what the accellerator pump does on the pumper carbs.

this is a 96 SE what should it idle at rpm range wise? maybe i have the idle to low

[devo2002]

Originally Posted by GlennR

50 lbs?

I thought that the XT225 is 267lbs and the DR350 287 lbs, if that's right it just 20 lbs.

If the DR350 is top heavy, like the DRZ400S, it probably feels like 50 lbs on the trails.

60 mpg sounds pretty good.

Pretty sure that is xt wet weight vs dr dry weight. I don't find it top heavy at all.

[rubberband]

Originally Posted by kaukasion

this is a 96 SE what should it idle at rpm range wise? maybe i have the idle to low

should idle around 1500rpm min....

[GlennR]

Originally Posted by devo2002

Pretty sure that is xt wet weight vs dr dry weight. I don't find it top heavy at all.

I don't know. I just google the specs, and usually get the # from motorcycle-usa.com or whatever site comes up.

The XT225 "feels" really light, but they say my WR450 is only 248 lbs, and it feels heavier than the 225 when I'm stuck or trying to lift & drag it over a log, or when trying to turn around in a tight spot on the side of a steep hill.

I was always under the impression that the DR350 was quite a bit lighter than the DRZ400S. But if you weighed your bike at over 300 lbs, I guess there isn't much difference. Maybe the Z carries it a lot higher?

[Ghostyman]

Originally Posted by GlennR

I don't know. I just google the specs, and usually get the # from motorcycle-usa.com or whatever site comes up.

The XT225 "feels" really light, but they say my WR450 is only 248 lbs, and it feels heavier than the 225 when I'm stuck or trying to lift & drag it over a log, or when trying to turn around in a tight spot on the side of a steep hill.

I was always under the impression that the DR350 was quite a bit lighter than the DRZ400S. But if you weighed your bike at over 300 lbs, I guess there isn't much difference. Maybe the Z carries it a lot higher?

I weighed mine a couple weeks ago and came up with 300 pounds ('90 dr350s) and 314 pounds ('95 dr350se). That's wet weight but with room for a gallon or two more gas in each.

[RuggedExposure]

Originally Posted by slartidbartfast

That's a neat and versatile solution but I'm stumped as to why you'd want to carry your handgun like that. Surely it's just asking to get dirt in it or to attract the wrong sort of attention (whatever that may be.) Are you planning to put another cover or tank bag over the top or have some other way of carrying it more discreetly?

I use a pair of cheap ATV tank panniers to which I eventually added a tie-down strap so they wouldn't flip back into my lap whenever I go over 50 mph (not in the pic below). They have a water bottle holder on the outside and are well enough constructed to keep out dust and mud under normal circumstances, although I wouldn't trust them to keep anything critical dry in a rainstorm or river crossing. They are certainly suitable for carrying a handgun but not in an immediately accessible way

Starting next year I'll be riding this bike as a commuter to work (~50 miles) and 30 miles of that will be ranch roads. Since I'll be riding in a green uniform with a duty belt, I'll aready be standing out. It wont be too noticeable having another pistol on the bike.

Why do I need two you ask? its nearly impossible to use your left hand to get a pistol on your right side. If the situation presents itself and I need to access a pistol quickly, I'll have one on the tank within quick reach. Plus there are tons of coyotes out here and they make great target practice.

I'm not concerned about the pistol getting dirty. We ride ATV's constantly through mud, dirt, dust and rain and never seem to have an issue.

On the other hand, we do have broken pistols occasionally from ATV wrecks. Here is a pic I took of such an instance:

[Ghostyman]

I've seen a few references to people putting 5.8 gallon gas tanks from a XR650 on their DR350. It sounds like mounting them isn't a huge issue.

Does anyone have pics of one of these tanks on their DR? I'm not worried about the mounting, I'm just curious how big it's going to be and if it gets in the way.

[MrPulldown]

The tank does not look too big as most of the gas is forward of the rider's knees. However you have to hack up your stock mounts.


Here is a write up on how to mount it.
http://www.wilddog.za.net/forum/inde...opic=58367.160

If you want big tank though this is what you need. I think it is a ten gallon tank.




http://www.enduro-manufaktur.ch/tangebot.html