The 'No Pissin and Moanin' DR650 Thread

[Emmbeedee]

Originally Posted by Bronco638

Well, I would think the indicator lens would start to droop a little and it would be noticeable. Interesting, the GSXR can (that I have) must be pretty good at dissipating heat. I've never heard of the grab handles getting hot.

Do you still have the shield on the o.e. muffler? Is it possible the motor is running (really) lean?

This is my wife's bike but mine is virtually the same as this - I have the stock heat shield.



Anyone know if there's anything in the muffler mount which is supposed to stop heat getting into the frame? I'm going to check to see if the muffler mount on my bike might not have all the original parts in it.

[Bronco638]

I would think that if the grab handle was that hot, the turn signal stalk, lens, rear fender and side panel would all show signs of deformation from heat. Perhaps you're right, heat is transferring thru the mount. I believe both mounts (the one by the muffler and the one where the header attaches to the mid-pipe) are the same; there's a rubber insulator inside of a steel cylinder thru which a bolt passes.

That said, my muffler is directly bolted to the frame. However, both the muffler body as well as the attaching bracket are made of aluminum.

Kind of hard to see but like this:


Image courtesy of KienTech.

[Emmbeedee]

Originally Posted by Bronco638

I would think that if the grab handle was that hot, the turn signal stalk, lens, rear fender and side panel would all show signs of deformation from heat. Perhaps you're right, heat is transferring thru the mount. I believe both mounts (the one by the muffler and the one where the header attaches to the mid-pipe) are the same; there's a rubber insulator inside of a steel cylinder thru which a bolt passes.

I haven't had time to check the muffler mount yet but I'll try tomorrow, and next time I go out I'll use a thermometer to see just how hot it gets. Maybe I'm just paranoid, but I did drop the slide needle down one notch recently.

[Greg@RME]

Originally Posted by SteelJM1

Hey guys, I'm getting the worst type of electrical gremlin: intermittent no-spark on startup only. So far ive switched out the coil and CDI to no avail. The only other thing I can think of is maybe the pickup coil is going bad.

Basically the damn thing wont start or restart, hot or cold. Once it's running it's fine doesn't die on me but if i turn it off and try to restart it a few minutes later it wont start. No spark. But sometimes it will. Oy

Man, I hate to hear you're having problems with the DR Marek! I can't think of anything that would cause intermittent starts. Did you ever add an ignition switch like you wanted to, or is it the same push button ignition as when you picked it up?

About the only issues I can think of would be a no-start, not intermittent starts. If you haven't already, make sure those large Red wires with the quick release connections (behind the steering stem) are nice and tight.

Let me know if I can help with anything, that bike was a solid ride and took me a lot of places!

[Bronco638]

Originally Posted by Emmbeedee

I haven't had time to check the muffler mount yet but I'll try tomorrow, and next time I go out I'll use a thermometer to see just how hot it gets. Maybe I'm just paranoid, but I did drop the slide needle down one notch recently.

Well, are there any other signs that the motor is running lean? For instance, white tipped or "melted" spark plug electrodes? Dull red glow on the header pipe?

Why did you lean the carb (by dropping the needle)?

Can anyone else offer any thoughts/ideas?

[SteelJM1]

Originally Posted by Greg@RME

Man, I hate to hear you're having problems with the DR Marek! I can't think of anything that would cause intermittent starts. Did you ever add an ignition switch like you wanted to, or is it the same push button ignition as when you picked it up?

About the only issues I can think of would be a no-start, not intermittent starts. If you haven't already, make sure those large Red wires with the quick release connections (behind the steering stem) are nice and tight.

Let me know if I can help with anything, that bike was a solid ride and took me a lot of places!

After doing some more research, I'm led to believe that the pickup coil (part of the stator assy) is at fault. I'm going to test it next chance I get and if that's the case, word on the vine is that the pickup coil from an LTZ400 is the same thing except the wire polarity is reversed. Not a big deal considering one doesn't need to buy a whole new stator assy.

Haven't gotten around to the ignition switch, but I'll check those wires out too, Greg. Already put a few hundred dirt miles on it since I got it, and the only other thing that went wrong was my own fault... know where I can get a set of rear spokes?

[Rob.G]

Just found this thread! Much nicer than TODR... it's WAY too active. I spent something like four MONTHS reading that thread initially, but haven't been back to it in a long time because it's so busy.

This pic is two years old, but it's one of the best ones of my DR...



Since that photo it's had a few changes... Barkbusters for handguards, Doubletake mirrors, cut the windscreen down 2" to cure buffeting, back to stock fender, sold fork brace, Denali LED lights, and a few other things I can't remember.

Bought it two years ago September with 8600 miles on it, now it has about 21k. It already had the FCR carb, GSX-R exhaust, airbox mod, weld removed from pipe, skidplate, highway pegs, Bill Mayer seat and OEM rack. I added new bars, 5" of rise (all on stock cables), the Screens For Bikes windscreen, HID kit, Givi boxes, Fork Skins, Intiminators, Vibranators, and a bunch of other little stuff.

Next up for it will be the ProCycle Fork and Shock "solution" kits (gold valves and springs), the ProCycle 790 kit and Stage 2 cam.. but with two other bikes that need mods too, I'm not sure when this will happen. :)

For commuting, I split that duty between the DR650 and my FZ1. The FZ1 has some annoying carb problems that I haven't been able to completely cure, so when I get frustrated with it, I switch to the DR, which runs perfectly.

Rob

[AST236]

Welcome aboard Rob. Great looking bike you have there. Come on in and stay a while......

[TrophyHunter]

Wondered if you were still around, Rob...... Nice pic!

[Rob.G]

Originally Posted by TrophyHunter

Wondered if you were still around, Rob...... Nice pic!

Thanks! Yeah I'm still here... I don't post a whole lot. I've found there are a lot of abrasive personalities that will jump your crap any chance they get, so anymore I just post in a few places. Plus I've been riding my KLX250S quite a bit lately, since it's much better at technical off-road riding.

I've actually been starting to take the DR off pavement a little more, since it's becoming easier to handle thanks to experience with the KLX. The DR is still my most favorite of the three, though. It's a model of simplicity. But I worry what Suzuki is going to do to it when it gets its inevitable refresh in the next year or two.

Rob

[wncstrada]

I've got a question for you folks running a pringle petcock on your tank. I've got a slightly odd setup on my 06' with a pringle petcock on a stock tank. I recently ran out of gas in the "on" position, switched over to reserve and found that I had very little additional gas. How much additional range or gas do you folks have when you switch from "on" to "reserve"? Thanks!

[Greg@RME]

Originally Posted by SteelJM1

After doing some more research, I'm led to believe that the pickup coil (part of the stator assy) is at fault. I'm going to test it next chance I get and if that's the case, word on the vine is that the pickup coil from an LTZ400 is the same thing except the wire polarity is reversed. Not a big deal considering one doesn't need to buy a whole new stator assy.

Haven't gotten around to the ignition switch, but I'll check those wires out too, Greg. Already put a few hundred dirt miles on it since I got it, and the only other thing that went wrong was my own fault... know where I can get a set of rear spokes?

Well, that is good news... I really hope it's a simple issue to solve! Do report back, I'd be interested to hear that you've taken care of the problem.

Spokes are going to be tough, since the spokes on the rear wheel are a combination of DR650 and DR350 parts. Have you considered sending the wheel to Woodys Wheel Works in Denver? I'm sure they could fix you up, probably replace all the spokes so it all looks right.

[Emmbeedee]

Originally Posted by wncstrada

I've got a question for you folks running a pringle petcock on your tank. I've got a slightly odd setup on my 06' with a pringle petcock on a stock tank. I recently ran out of gas in the "on" position, switched over to reserve and found that I had very little additional gas. How much additional range or gas do you folks have when you switch from "on" to "reserve"? Thanks!

I rarely get more than 20 kms, on reserve. 12 miles, give or take...

And it's a Pingle, not Pringle. Pringle is a lousy chip.

Wikipedia: Pringles is a brand of potato- and wheat-based snacks originally developed by Procter & Gamble. Pringles are sold in more than 140 countries[1] and have yearly sales of more than US$1 billion

[plutonic]

Hey everyone,

I got a deal that I could not refuse, on this '97 model with 3800 miles, today. I had a DR about 12 years ago and I loved it, so I'm really happy that I'm back in the club again.

[Mercenary]

Originally Posted by plutonic

Hey everyone,

I got a deal that I could not refuse, on this '97 model with 3800 miles, today. I had a DR about 12 years ago and I loved it, so I'm really happy that I'm in a club again.

That is one nice looking DR. Congratz on the find