1980 DR400S Info

[TT]

Apart from lights and gauges, can anyone tell me what differences there are between the '80 DR400S and the so-called "competition" model?
If any.............. 
Thanks in advance.

[LWC82PE]

Ok i know a few things but theres probably other guys who can elaborate more.

rear swingarm
rear shocks
front forks - Very similar to 1980/81 PE's, if my memory is correct the are the same as the 1980/81 RS250.

If you look around on the net you should be able to find some photos of the white enduro model

there is some good pics on www.vintagefactory.com - look in past restos section

also try suzukicycles.org and bikepics.com

the competion version is known as the DR400 T and the non comp version is the DR400 ST

i also think theres some photos and discussions about the DR400 on the vinduro.com.au forum and enduro bike talk.com forum

[Marc.com]

Alloy gas tank, different side covers, exhaust, frame tabs, no helmet lock, basically S is POS and T is cool.

[cloggy]

I think the swingarm is identical apart from the missing footpegs. The  lights are different with a weird headlamp arrangement with a 15w dip and main bulb.
Both the shocks and forks are longer, but the forks are still weedy 36mm items with 9.1" travel. The gearing is 4 teeth lower [but different country's S versions ran different  final gearing] and of course there are no indicators or speedo or rev counter. The carb is identical but runs a 135 mainjet against the S version's 122.5, probably due to the different silencer [pic above is correct]. The top yoke has offset handlebar clamps unlike the S model and there is a 12lb weight difference. UK  S models ran ally tanks so that's no different.  The sidecovers are identical with slightly altered graphics
Think XT and TT.
There's a big DR topic on this forum

[oldfart]

Added to above ,   swing arm is alloy - front wheel runs different hub ( smaller ) -rear hub from Dr 500 ( not  released -1981 )- Pe tail light - some came with resevoir rear shocks ( KYB )
Internal motor parts are minor 

[Marc.com]

sorry oldfart to differ, swingarm is alloy painted steel

[oldfart]

Alloy USA and Canada models .

[LWC82PE]

yep that is right. The white enduro USA/CAN spec models ( and the few of the enduro models that were specially imported here by the likes of Geoff Udy) had alloy swingarms and the 'S' trail versions had painted steel ones. I Havent check the part number but i think the colour code might be champagne gold and painted the same colour as the 1980 TS swingarms.

There was white trail and Enduro models so dont confuse the 2. The trail model was available in several colours but i have only ever seen the enduro ones in white.

[TT]

Thanks fellas. Lots of good info there.
I just picked up what looks to be a fairly original 1980 'S'.

I've got no plan to race the thing, but thought I'd keep it stock and just trail ride it and the occassional vinduro loop maybe.
I didn't know the suspension was so different, but considering it's planned use, I don't think it will matter much.
Hey oldfart, when you say minor engine parts may be different, what sort of bits are we talking?

[Marc.com]

Alloy USA and Canada models .

I own one as a few also came to NZ, painted steel

[Marc.com]

There was white trail and Enduro models so dont confuse the 2. The trail model was available in several colours but i have only ever seen the enduro ones in white.

Check the photo above it is DR400T, 1980 issue only in white. Swingarm part number will be different as swingarm has different dimensions closer to RM250C, 400T swingarm is longer and still steel.

[cloggy]

All the USA  magazine reports that I have say the production swingarm was steel; though the prototypes were ally, and I think the later model DR500 possibly came with an ally arm at some point. But a lot of people seem to differ on this. Again one mag states the T came with 38mm forks, but it didn't.
The T rear wheel travel was 8.35" as against 7.64" and I forgot to mention that the T version had a decent chain guide, better than the S's flimsy steel loop.
My Suzuki manual has the two engines as identical  [As is the SP] but I do have two types of cam, one has a sprocket location peg and one does quite happily without.  The GN motor has a marginally lower 4th gear but is otherwise the same. The mags at the time said the T's shocks were poor to start with and once hot stayed even worse.

[cloggy]

 I  think the T's swingarm is the same length as the S . It gets the small amount of additional travel from the shock angle being more acute due to longer shocks.
There's no way the T has a shorter swingarm as with the same frame you'd end up with less travel.
Front hub is 130 against S's 150 but the rear hub's the same.
The DR500 used a lot of DR400 parts

[oldfart]

Tony, carb  posted today .   Bike looks real tidy for it's age ....good buy

cloogy on to it, cam timing peg - sproket and mag cover changed to 2 piece .
Yes forks are a much debated area , I have only seen 36mm & 35mm versions with long and short legs.
Bought a set of USA ebay a few years back and where tapered @ triples  that was when I procured alloy swing arm  ... same bike as picture ( white )

Back to shed for another play 
 
                           

[LWC82PE]

Check the photo above it is DR400T

Yes i know that that bik is an enduro T model. I was only not 100% sure if they were available in other colours. I was pretty sure they were only in white but because i wasnt 100% sure i said so.

Dont always believe magazine articles either. For example many say the PE frames are chromoly but they are not.

35mm seems an odd size for suzukis of that era. Everything 250cc and up was 36 or 38 in the offroad/trail range then.