DRM 400

[YSS]

Thanks  Cloggy

[David Lahey]

I finally got my old RM250C/SP370 hybrid out for a ride, motivated by the possibility of riding it at the next Conondale Vinduro. Here is a photo from yesterday and there is a bit o a story in the Vinduro forum

[frostype400]

looks pretty good whats the go with vinduros im looking to ride some Vic vinduros this year do 2 and 4 strokes go together i have heard three bikes go at once or something im hoping to go alright on my pe400 thanks Michael.

[David Lahey]

Frosty there is a Vinduro forum in the top part of the Ozvmx forum page and there is info there about the Victorian Vinduros for 2009. The Conondane Vinduro I'm hoping to ride will probably be a poker run ie you just ride at least five laps and get a poker card each lap. Not sure what happens in Victoria.

[LWC82PE]

heres a couple photos i found

[ola_martin]

Hello, I'm new here. It seems like a lot of the posted pictures don't come up?? 
I have a 78 RM250, and i might be able to get a DR400.
My plan is to combine the two, using only the engine and the part of the frame around the engine from the DR, rest including rear subframe from the RM.
 As I can read here a few of you has bikes like this, but I'm only able to find pictures of bikes with plastic tanks and 79 style sidecovers. Is it possible to post some with alu-tank and the small 76-78 sidecovers?

Thanks

[cloggy]

Oldfart  has recently done both  standard DR and a DRM hybred framed bikes. As he hasn't yet posted as to a front spring source it's possible he hasn't come to any firm conclusions on the relative merits.
 I went to the UK twinshock show and sourced a supply of springs. The guy said he had no problem getting Maico 38mm stanchion springs in any weight I wanted. That appears to be 25 lbs per inch/0.45 k per mm
They are the right length for suzy  10" travel fork and fit.
I'd like to know what the spring rate is for the RMC swing arm when attached to the DR frame.
I got a secondhand set of 15.5" Falcons off an RM  at the show as well and there was a complete frame and swing arm for an 1978 RMC . The bloke may still have it. They aren't popular here as the cutoff date for twinshocks is later then OZ/USA

[oldfart]

Dr 400 frame with mods visable

[oldfart]

DRM

[oldfart]

This will fit
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1983-Suzuki-DR500-DR-500-Aluminum-Rear-Swing-Arm_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a1205Q7c66Q3a2Q7c65Q3a12Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318Q7c301Q3a0Q7c293Q3a1Q7c294Q3a50QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem110347741658QQitemZ110347741658QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

[Graeme M]

The BarronVMX DRM

[LWC82PE]

today i found an old ariticle froum europe with a whole heap of colour photos of the hagon DR/SP suzuki and the hagon yamaha, and also the cheney framed 2 stroke yamaha. Pitty VMX mag has already done articles on those bikes.

[Marc.com]

Looks a lot like this one

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Classic-vintage/auction-200594577.htm

[cloggy]

I'm dubious how the fast bits bike handled. My DR was pretty noodly with 36mm PE forks

[cloggy]

Recently I got a few more bits of historical data.
Dirt Bike used RM frame bits on their 1979 DR370 due to the SP derived frame handling like a " '49 Dodge with three flats and a bent axle".
The 1980 DR400  frame was RM based and  they thought really good except in tight slow going, " an excellent slider"  "278lbs with a gallon of gas", identical to TT.
They weren't impressed with the suspension, or the weight of  the steel swingarm, and didn't like the long brake stay arm. So when they came to modify it they left the frame alone.
By 81 a Motocross Action article on the DR400  bike for the 4 stroke nationals described that the head angle had been steepened 1 degree [from 31 degrees to 30], the motor had been dropped 1" in the frame and the footpegs had been raised by 3/4 of an inch.