SUZUKI RM 500 FRAME

[albrid-3]

Will a DR400 engine fit into a Suzuki RM 500 frame with out to much problems, and does any one know of any rolling frame that they would like to sell. My son has bought a dr 400 and would like to fit the engine into a suzuki frame so he can race it in pre 85 classes.

[EML]

One of TM.Bills mob had a RM400 with DR500 motor fitted at the Nats. Looked very nice but was not what it seemed. It had the DR main loop with the RM rear fitted to it including swing arm etc... They told me that to get the RM tank on they cut the bottom out and lost a litre or so. Also said it was very front heavy.
But in it looked a good thing, plus the DR motor is a gem and you can get heaps out of them.

[oldfart]

EML     It's a Dr 400 frame with a Rm rear loop section grafted . With a Dr 400 motor up graded 
Yes the Rm 125 alloy  tank has to be cut and shut to clear rear main loop and yes the bike is heavy 

[evo550]

I can recall a t&t article on a Rm/DR Hybrid.....will see if I can dig it up

[EML]

The Udy man and I raced a DR500 with an alloy chair on it back in '82-got second in the junior champs at Toowoomba!
In '83 we took it down to ACUSA for the titles and broke it off at the steering stem on the saturday, welded it back together overnight and finished 5 overall in the seniors on sunday.
That was a FUN sidecar and the motor was fantastic.
I need to build another for my kids to ride.
I still think all sidecars crossers should be based on 500 fourstrokes and then the fields would be close and the racing great to watch!!

[nada]

i would love any info anyone can provide me, as building this weapon will be a challenge. im thinking of keeping the DR frame now, but updating the forks, replace the DR swingarm with an RM one, which apparently will slip straight in. thus giving me more travel? i am told buy cutting the cradle's out of both the DR and the RM frames and swapping them over the transition is relativly easy? i am defnitaly replacing the shitty front forks that the DR has, and putting something later model on.
much appreciated!
NADA

[oldfart]

Nada,  I have both a Dr 400 & 500 Modified .....as far as swingarms are concerned install a Rm 250-400 C2 on your Dr 400      But not on a DR 500 due to bike being a LOT heavier . In the USA they came out with a alloy swing arm and the same can be said about forks ( longer ) they turn up now and then quit cheap - plus postage
Cutting and shutting .... requires making a jig ....taking lots of measurements ...being patient

Both mine are Dr fronts with Rm rears
 

[LWC82PE]

theres plenty of discussion (pages galore) on modified DR's/DR powered RM's in the suzuki section on the forum. Try searching for 'DRM' or 'building a DRM'

[evo550]

All-bird are you doing a  twin or single shock RM ?

[nada]

my ambition it put the dr into a full-floater fame (preferably 1984 rm500), but im weighing up the cost factors, plus the difficulty factors!
as i have never taken on such a project before. i once saw an xr350 engine in a cr250 frame, probably late 80's and fell in love with the bike, it was featured in ADB some years ago. i want to replicate this with the Suzuki, and be eligible for the pre 85 class, and i hopfully one day tere will be a Pre 85 4-Stroke class.

[nada]

thanks so much oldfart, ill take a look at the DRM page 

[albrid-3]

my son is building the DR not me. he needs all the help he can get fellows, Your input will be very much appreciated, cheers Albrid-3

[oldfart]

Ok ... Try this .   measure up your frame being Rm 500 -   at  rear down tube( by foot pegs) left to right and front down tube to rear
First up is it going to be a 500 or 400 motor   as the 500 is taller 
Once you have that sorted I will forward on  craddle dimensions

[EML]

I saw a DR500 frame yesterday that had the steering stem lenthened to take RM triple trees and therefore RM forks. It looked like qut an easy mod and was done well.

[nada]

i have weighed up my options and am going to do what you have done OLDFART. im going to put the RM 250-400 swingarm in  and keep it a twin shock. and find a RM 250-400 front end for it. i think it would be much less painfull and ill be oin the track sooner. im keen for a ride on the pld girl!!
did you use the RM subframe on your bike Oldfart? or just the swingarm? i saw your pics and i am very impressed with how the bike come together!! very nice