Building a DRM 400

[David Lahey]

This is an interesting thread in a direction I've been considering myself.

Can anyone tell me how heavy a standard SP370/DR400 frame is?

Also Oldie, how heavy is yr completed DRM?

I didn't weigh my SP370 frame before chopping it but I'm sure it was nothing special ie very similar in weight to the RM250C frame that was also chopped for the job. I would say the SP370 motor is noticably heavier than the RM motor. My finished bike is 105kg in MX trim with an empty fuel tank.

[Jens]

Thanks for the shocklength Oldfart!

I do belive you mean 397mm (397cm = 3,97m), mine are 430mm which means I´lll have to do some work to the frame to fit the Ohlin shocks. was also thinking of changing the upper rear end to RM pieces since they are not as wide as the DR. Front forks from let´s say 83/84 RM and it should turn out to a magnificent bike wouldn´t you all say? I have some ongoing projects atm, my Curtis Honda which seems to take forever to sort out  but I´m really looking forward to get started with the DRM. Again big thanks to ya all, and remember:

Full throttle!

[JC]

Oldie,

Love the sister bike.

What carbs are you using?

[oldfart]

Carbs are Vm series 135 main & 15 pilot  - I found the 36 mikuni slide needle gave more top end, but was not that responsive in the bootom end where it all happens in  4 bangers  ;

[crabman]

Jens
I am unsure whether this is relevant. If my memory serves me correctly I ordered a set of Ohlins which were 43, 5 cm lon centre eye to centre eye. I then decidede that I would rather use these shocks on my SUZUKI RM 370 -required shock length 39,5 cm centre to centre. I had the shaft shortened to desired length. Suspension works fine - net result saved me buying new rear shocks.
Hope it helps.
G

[LWC82PE]

here is a White brothers modified USA enduro DR 400. cant tell you much about it. its got some remote reservoir shocks, probably has a WB/Pro-Fab swing arm, Simons forks, different side pannels, Preston Petty front fender, SuperTrap muffler.

[LWC82PE]

The Al Baker’s FMF modified Suzuki DR370

Engine
38mm E.I. carby
FMF High lift cam
S&W valve springs
Mototec ignition
FMF tuned exhaust system with super trap muffler
400cc big bore kit
K & N filter

Suspension
9 inch Al Baker fork kit (springs & damper rods)
FMF air fork equalizer caps
15.5 inch S&W freon cell shocks
FMF alloy swingarm (option of banana or straight)
FMF roller chain tensioner

[Jens]

I´m thankful for all the help given by all you gentle lads.

Crabman, you shortend the shocks you said. Didn´t know that was possible. Might be much better alternative than cutting the frame. One question, how do you do it? Oughta be 30mm to loose just before the downward eyes...

Sweet looking bike LWC....

Full Throttle!

[crabman]

Jens
I had the work done through a reputable service Ohlins service agent. I am leaving on a weeks adventure ride on my 990 tomorrow. I will look to contact before I leave the service agent that did the work, my understanding albeit limited is that the shaft unscrews on one end, I think that the shaft was shortened and rethreaded. PS the shortened rear shocks by all accounts work well.
However that is my uneducated guess on what I think i remember.

[crabman]

Jens
Sorry I forgot today was a public holiday in South Africa, if you want I will contact the dealer on my return around 05 October 2008. The guy is Martin Paetzold and maybe you can google and look up his web page and email him directly. Feel free to use my name Gavin Williams for reference purposes, also refer him to the job he did on a Maico 490  ( belongs to a fine fellow called Adriaan) that also required a shortening of the Ohlins, this was also  a job well done. Thanks G

[Jens]

Thanks for the tips Crabman!

The problem, or maybe not  is that I live in Sweden. Shouldn´t be too hard too find an Öhlin´s dealer around who could do the trick. Yet thanks again for putting me in the right direction!

Full throttle Crab!

[Doc]

here's one for all ya DR nutters (that's me included )..not a DRM but probably one of the nicest looking DR500's I've ever laid eyes on and I could so easilly reach the ground..if I wanted to..



Mark Anderson owner - Staracer Frame.

There are a heap of step by step Suzuki DR 500 Special photo's by Moreno from Italy at the link below. Working on the translation of his text

http://cid-86267c09a3452a71.skydrive.live.com/browse.aspx/Vintage%20Suzuki%20General%20Technical%20and%20Specifications/Suzuki%20DR%20500%20Special%20%20Project%20courtesy%20of%20Moreno%20from%20Italy

[LWC82PE]

aftermarket DR 370 pipe

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SUZUKI-DR370-AFTERMARKET-HEADER-VINTAGE-MOTOX-AHRMA_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a1207Q7c39Q3a1Q7c66Q3a2Q7c65Q3a12Q7c240Q3a1318QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem310085858379QQitemZ310085858379

[Barronvmx]

Why bother with the Dr 400. I put together the what I think first DRM 400 after readind an old article in ADB when they modified an SP370.In 03 04 before CD3 I the raced the DRM at the heaven and Canberra clubs. Graeme Mc actually gave my bike the name DRM due to me putting a RM125n seat on with of course RM letters in yellow on the side of the seat. So DRM was born, and it had 125B tank RM 250 C swingarm and PE front end. But the power to weight isn't the greatest. I will be finishing before CD6 I hope a DR500 with a different frame which should improve handling. I weighed an rm and a dr frame and couldn't find much difference, lets face it a big bore 4 stroke is heavy and it needs to handle and compensate for the weight with HP. So a 4 valve 500 is way better than a 2 valve 400 of similar weight.
I'll try to dig up some pics and info on the DRM as it was fun at CD3 at Barrabool just a bit gutless. Graeme if you still have the feature you did on the bike can you forward it to me.

[Tony T]

And the bloody thing sold for bugger all........................ which was more than I had at the time........................
Wonder if I could buy it for the same money now................