View Full Version : ....and the Winner Is.....!
Sold the V-Strom yesterday to my neighbor....but for the last few weeks, I've been immersed in research.
It's been a toss up between the DR650 (for its overall simplicity) and the DRZ400S (for it's better suspension and almost 40 pounds lighter).
Honestly, it came down to availability.....so this popped up on CL. I called the guy immediately.
2007 DRZ400S with only 7500 miles on it, owned by a senior citizen, serviced regularly, and always garage kept. The price was right too, especially for CA.
Biggest problem? It's already totally blinged out! Big tank, tail tidy, Barkbusters, and everything. Yes....the guy probably saved me a grand, but blinging is half the fun! Right Jerry???
Thankfully, it needs tires! Half-wore-out knobbies suck on the street. That leaves me something to blow dough on! Gotta do something about the funky graphics, too.
Anyway, a new steed in the 2LZ stable.
herbie
11-26-2021, 09:36 PM
Nice find!! I was looking for a 400 when I found my 650 but both are great bikes.
As far as farkles go, you can buy a new seat or redo your seat. I bought the seat concepts commuter seat for more comfort. At about $200 if it helps it’ll be well worth it. I’ll let you know how it turns out, won’t be in until first of the year I think.
wheelbender6
11-26-2021, 10:02 PM
The 400 is a lot lighter than the 650. Great choice.
Emerikol
11-27-2021, 05:37 AM
Awesome Score! Glad it popped up at the right time for you! Hope you get miles of smiles out of it!
JerryHawk250
11-27-2021, 08:24 AM
Sweet! :tup: Nice bike. That should be perfect. yeah, I added a few more bling items to the cart yesterday. Lol.
Shakedown cruise yesterday afternoon. It's a hoot! Picks the front end up in second gear, no problem. Runs great, shifts like butter. Suspension is a little out of balance but that's adjustable. The 79 year old guy I bought it from weighs probably 60 pounds less than I do.
Biggest issue? The half wore-out knobbies are deadly on the pavement and not much better on dry dirt roads. Very skittery. Shinko 700's on order...... Love those tires.
Boatguy
11-28-2021, 12:05 PM
Possibly a stupid question. Why are half worn out knobbies so dangerous on pavement?
I have some Enduro tires that came with mine. They’re starting to show some wear. But I didn’t really care because I figured the more they wear out, the more they look like street tires. Is that a big mistake?
Possibly a stupid question. Why are half worn out knobbies so dangerous on pavement?
I have some Enduro tires that came with mine. They’re starting to show some wear. But I didn’t really care because I figured the more they wear out, the more they look like street tires. Is that a big mistake?
Aggressive knobbies, even new, aren't great on pavement. When they get old, hard, and the knobs are all worn at odd angles, it make it even more interesting.
Been doing some cleanup on it.
Got rid of all those hideous graphics (just not my thing) and have been fine-tooth-combing everything. Just added a little sticker on the swing arm to zest it up a tad.
Found that the vacuum petcock was failed and never shut the gas off (common problem), so I put on a manual one.
Most importantly, I got rid of those wore out old knobbys and mounted my Shinko 700's with extra thick tubes. Thanks to many offerings to the Gawds of Pinched Tubes, I got up this morning and they were still holding air! Woo Hoo!
Oh! I also put the stock exhaust back on. The Leo Vince was too loud for my old ears. Then the stock exhaust was too quiet! Sounded like an old Honda 90. Ended up getting a billet end cap with spark screen. That put the exhaust note right where I wanted it.
Boatguy
12-06-2021, 04:55 PM
Aggressive knobbies, even new, aren't great on pavement. When they get old, hard, and the knobs are all worn at odd angles, it make it even more interesting.
Thank you for answering the side question!
I didn’t realize they could get hard like that.
Nice bike!!!
JerryHawk250
12-06-2021, 04:57 PM
She cleaned up real nice. :tup:
wheelbender6
12-07-2021, 06:56 PM
I know what you mean about the exhaust noise. It’s hard to find a happy medium exhaust that is half way in between the quiet stock pipe and the ear splitting, wake the whole neighborhood performance pipes.
I know what you mean about the exhaust noise. It’s hard to find a happy medium exhaust that is half way in between the quiet stock pipe and the ear splitting, wake the whole neighborhood performance pipes.
...and I don't care about the weight of the stocker over the Leo Vince. I'm no longer (not for a long time) looking for saving ounces and grams just got get a tad of advantage.
Hell....I'm just looking for a good day out, a few cold beers at the end of the day, and then turn 25 again with stories over the camp fire.
Boatguy
12-08-2021, 02:32 AM
...and I don't care about the weight of the stocker over the Leo Vince. I'm no longer (not for a long time) looking for saving ounces and grams just got get a tad of advantage.
Hell....I'm just looking for a good day out, a few cold beers at the end of the day, and then turn 25 again with stories over the camp fire.
Right?
And the best way to save 16oz to get an advantage is to drop a pound of your own weight. Ha ha. It’s true. And people never think about it.
Mudflap
12-08-2021, 06:48 AM
The DRZ is a great bike, perhaps my favorite bike of it's type. I once had to tow my friend's DRZ400 out of the woods with my Lifan when the stator went out at less than 10000 miles. Don't know how common that is but it may be something to keep an eye on.
Right?
And the best way to save 16oz to get an advantage is to drop a pound of your own weight. Ha ha. It’s true. And people never think about it.
LOL! You got that right! I went from a svelte 185 to 230 in the last decade! Age, certain meds, and retirement didn't help things.....
The DRZ is a great bike, perhaps my favorite bike of it's type. I once had to tow my friend's DRZ400 out of the woods with my Lifan when the stator went out at less than 10000 miles. Don't know how common that is but it may be something to keep an eye on.
It is a known issue, but it doesn't happen to everyone. Just a special handful of folks and no one really knows why. They think it may have to do with a connector corroding under the seat area. There's the "free power mod" it's nicknamed.
I'm still immersed in research mode on the bike. To me, that's one of the fun parts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yr4tDcN76z8
Since I have two sets of plastics, Mrs. 2LZ got me a seat cover for an extra seat for the bike. Now I have a blue seat for the blue plastics, and a yellow seat for the yellow plastics!
Nice I like the yellow seat better.
JerryHawk250
01-10-2022, 07:45 AM
I like the new seat. :tup:
Thanks guyz! The bike is a hoot. Still working on jetting.
Finally got the jetting and needle position correct. Fires up with the first push of the button. All three sections of choke work perfect. The transition from pilot to main circuit is totally smooth and once on the main circuit, hang on!
I also decided to go through the Leo Vince X3 Enduro pipe and install the new baffle kit. Some ham-fisted mutant in its past cut the rear strap off and buzzed down all the rivets. Not sure why. These don't take packing. They're chambered.
Anyway, I took it apart to make sure there was no internal damage, then re-assembled and re-riveted it back together. Then I took an aluminum scuff wheel to it and tried to buzz out all the scars and scratches from past wrecks. After that, I hit it with high-temp silicone paint. Turned out more-than-acceptable. Way nicer (and lighter) than the stock pipe, and almost just as quiet with the biggest baffle installed and spark screen.
Well crap. My project yesterday was to flush the front and rear brake fluids. I did the forks on Saturday and the brake fluid was the last liquid not to be changed or flushed.
Since I did the forks, I figured I'd very quickly reset both suspensions to factory settings and start the adjustments from Ground Zero, prior to starting the brake fluid. That's when I discovered that when my neighbor and I (I'll blame it on him, of course) swapped out the rear shock spring, the bottom shock mount got spun around and the rear rebound adjuster was now completely inaccessible!
So....drop the rear suspension out again and make it right. I'll try to get to the brake fluids today if Mrs. 2LZ doesn't have other property plans.
Cold? Yes....but not too cold. After all, the snow has mostly melted.
Can't tell you how happy I am with the DRZ, now that I've gone through it bumper to bumper.
The suspension is now balanced perfectly, front to rear. The bike compresses and rebounds very evenly now. The new tires are broke in and the engine/carb is now jetted and running really strong across the power band. The cherry on the cake is the Leo Vince X3 with the baffle and spark screen has a lot more power in the mid-range and top end, but is magically as quiet as stock. I don't want to bug the neighbors and wildlife too much.
Great lunch ride today. Bacon cheeseburger and a couple beers at our local store.
Another lunch ride today to my home town of 103 people.
Oh yah....Stage 2 intake showed up today.
I'm keeping the exhaust cam stock. This combo will move the power band to more mid-range. The Stage 2 exhaust would have made it more peaky. If I want peaky, I'll ride my two stroke!
Got my FCR39 flat slide pumper carb ready to go also, which will be replacing the stock CV36, that I just fought with to get jetted correctly. Just waiting on the adapter for the air box boot.
That's one thing about having a bike that hasn't changed in 20+ years. The aftermarket goodies are plentiful.
I figure once I rob a bank, I'd try another color to steer off the Heat. After all, the bike came with yellow, blue and white plastics. Here's the latest.
In the meantime, the new carb delivers incredible power....but I have a hanging idle issue I'm dealing with. I'll get it......
Stage 2 Hotcam intake cam installed! Mo' power..... Lifts the front tire in second with just a stab of the throttle. I have the big bore kit ready to go but I think I'll wait till this jug starts eating some oil.
JerryHawk250
02-11-2022, 01:18 PM
More Power!
https://ftforumx2.s3.amazonaws.com/2021/01/342584_400eb2c5699f44b15d348a9500b4b10a.jpg
Got the Stage 2 exhaust cam installed. The chain is showing the expected initial stretch, but not too far out of timing yet. The automatic tensioners on these are notoriously strong and causes some initial stretch, but folks have had them last 50,000 miles, so I'm not worried. When I do the big bore kit, I'll change the chain and reinstall the manual tensioner.
Graphics have been an issue. All the graphic kits online make you look like you're a sponsored racer. I didn't want to be a riding advertisement for a bunch of companies I could give a rip about. Fortunately, in the boxes of stuff i got with the bike, I found some excellent condition blue, with factory graphics, tank panels. Problem solved!
Got the motor all buttoned up. Now I'm waiting for the FMF Powerbomb to come in. This should finish the project, just in time for riding season to start.
Nicest bike i ever had,should of kept it. Now i own a 2021 TBR7,but its no a DR-Z 400.
Nicest bike i ever had,should of kept it. Now i own a 2021 TBR7,but its no a DR-Z 400.
Probably mentioned earlier but I was originally looking for a DR650, just out of it's utter simplicity. Air cooled, one cam, tractor-like. The DRZ was my second choice but you know how it is when you run across a deal you can't pass up.
I have no regrets, though it is more "sporty" than the DR. Just as fast, lighter.
I've been having a ball with it, so far. Super easy to wrench on compared to my previous V-Strom. Funny thing is, it feel just like I'm riding my QLink, just bigger, better suspension, and way more powerful. Feels very familiar though.
I got the FMF Powerbomb header done today. It was a chore mating it up to the Leo Vince exhaust. Lots of cutting and torching to reshape the mid-pipe but I got it. I only have worm clamps on it at the moment, but the proper t-bolt clamps are ordered.
That does it. Breather mod, went from a 36mm CV carb to a 39mm flat slide pumper carb. Both Stage 2 cams are installed and now the exhaust is done. Gonna be fun!
The bike rips. I have to say, coming off the V-Strom, the thunderous V-Twin power isn't there, but it rips for a smallish one-lunger, with all the new upgrades. It works WAY better on all the gravel and back roads than the Strom.
Thinking of maybe doing a SUMO conversion. We'll see. All the parts are readily available.
Bling. Can't help myself. The stock chain guard was ugly and usually removed by Dizzers....but i didn't want to do without. Mostly because I didn't want the two bolt mounts sticking up unattended!
My bike, my favorite creek, two beers. Perfect......
Big Bore Kit install. Hoping to finish it up today. All parts I took off at 8500 miles still looked new.
Replacing the jug, piston, rings.......and cam chain, just because I'm there.
So far, the bike has been a breeze to wrench on.
JerryHawk250
04-06-2022, 01:11 PM
That's one big azz piston. More Power!!!
Oh man....what a difference. I'm not hammering it hard yet but wow. There's just "more" everywhere.
Uh oh. Look what found its way into my shop!
wheelbender6
04-10-2022, 07:19 AM
Did Mrs 2LZ help you find that color? Guys usually can't match colors that precisely!
cheesy
04-10-2022, 09:08 AM
Did Mrs 2LZ help you find that color? Guys usually can't match colors that precisely!
Most guys don't care.;)
Did Mrs 2LZ help you find that color? Guys usually can't match colors that precisely!
Believe it or not, I did it all by myself this time!
Done! Turns snappy quick now!
Did the Seat Concepts seat kit today. Relief is in sight. The stock DRZ seat is nothing less than a 2X6 that's fabric covered.
Also added a cheap tach/clock. Life is better now.
cheesy
04-23-2022, 07:32 AM
The stock DRZ seat is nothing less than a 2X6 that's fabric covered.
In the bicycling world, that's known as an 'ass hatchet'.
Carry on.
People always ask me "What size is it?"
herbie
04-28-2022, 01:28 PM
Hey what size is that bike? :lmao:
Hey what size is that bike? :lmao:
No s--t, huh?!
herbie
04-29-2022, 08:40 AM
Just messing with ya 2LZ! :)
You are really transforming that DRZ for sure, man I thought I went crazy sometimes working on my bikes but I think you take it to a whole new level! I would love to take it out for a rip to see how it compares to my DR. I sold it the other day, moving on to the next bike :doh::lmao:
Just messing with ya 2LZ! :)
You are really transforming that DRZ for sure, man I thought I went crazy sometimes working on my bikes but I think you take it to a whole new level! I would love to take it out for a rip to see how it compares to my DR. I sold it the other day, moving on to the next bike :doh::lmao:
Oh! I know you're just jarshin'!
You already sold the DR!? Oh....that's right. I forgot you don't hang onto bikes too long.
My problem is, I love buying, I love modding....but I HATE the selling process. Dealing with strangers, especially bike looky-loo's who are out for play rides. I'd much rather make a relaxing sale to a buddy....but then the bike never goes away, especially if it needs service.
herbie
04-29-2022, 01:09 PM
The guy I sold the DR to lives about 5 minutes away and he said he's like me doesn't hold bikes very long and he may sell it back to in a years time. :lmao:
so you never know it may come back home.
I bet the DRz rips with that big bore kit and cam installed!
I bet the DRz rips with that big bore kit and cam installed!
It's a whole new bike. The stock DRZ is a fun bike and is extremely capable and reliable, but the S and SM models are a de-tuned (discontinued) E model, to please the EPA.
I haven't dyno'd it myself but there enough dyno documentation history that states I should have gone from the stock 33-ish RWHP to about 48 RWHP with the mods I've done (breather mod, 39mm pumper carb, big bore kit (434), stage 2 cams and full exhaust). Not sure if that's fact but I can definitely say the butt dyno agrees, for sure.
To top it off, the SM conversion came with a 44 tooth rear sprocket on the smaller wheels. The front can now be snapped up in third.....not that I'm that guy anymore but it's still super fun.
What has also been so dang fun about this bike is like the DR650, it has a LONG history, zillions of accessories, and basically a cult following of tech support.
I'm keeping this one for the foreseeable future.
One of the regular guys on the DRZ forum on Thumpertalk has a ported 462 stroker with RMZ450 fuel injection mounted to it, on an SM. I can't even imagine.
herbie
04-30-2022, 05:00 PM
That's pushing a lot of ponies for such a light bike! I don't blame you for holding onto it, both the DR and the DRz are getting hard to find in my area.
Since the motor's done, bling is on the docket.
Sliders and a fancy pedal pad, since I did all the polishing.
Decided to polish the kicker to match, and do the rubber end, in old school fashion.
Seems there are literally millions of accessories and bling for the DRZ....but regarding the forks, there's not a lot available for the S model regular forks, as opposed to the USD SM forks.
All I wanted was some more blingy cable mounts. None to be had, so living in the sticks, I did with what I had. I took off the fugly stockers, did some Dremel work, flat sanded on a belt sander, then hit them with Krylon Fusion, in true China Rider fashion! Good enough!
herbie
05-04-2022, 04:59 PM
Nice!!
Darkrider
05-05-2022, 10:51 AM
Damn this thing has become an entirely different bike from the looks of it. Also..side note... Damn you! I was looking at a DR-Z on Fb market place a couple days ago and knew i had tax returns coming in. Seeing this thread had me thinking really hard on pulling the trigger till i snapped back to reality and realized that the one i looked at was the Off Road only 125 cc... Crisis averted... for now anyway...
Damn this thing has become an entirely different bike from the looks of it. Also..side note... Damn you! I was looking at a DR-Z on Fb market place a couple days ago and knew i had tax returns coming in. Seeing this thread had me thinking really hard on pulling the trigger till i snapped back to reality and realized that the one i looked at was the Off Road only 125 cc... Crisis averted... for now anyway...
LOL! Glad I can be of assistance! Keep looking!
Darkrider
05-05-2022, 12:17 PM
LOL! Glad I can be of assistance! Keep looking!
I have a feeling i will pick up something by next spring. Mainly focusing on the MGB for the time being. Oddly enough just prior to buying the Harley i actually test rode a DR 200 and liked it. Pity that particular bike was gone by the time i got paid for the contract i was on at the time.
Finished off the blue plastics motif. Glad that bright white is gone.
Unlike myself, she lost some substantial weight yesterday!
Added a heat shield to the FMF Power Bomb. Any distraction to keep me away from a Polaris quad with electrical issues, for some side work.
herbie
05-12-2022, 05:48 PM
That’s one bad azz looking bike!
I bet that battery cost a little change
That’s one bad azz looking bike!
I bet that battery cost a little change
Not cheap but not too bad. Only about 30.00 more than the Yuasa lead/acid and 5 pounds lighter. I didn't even look at the Everstarts at Walmart. They have gone through the ceiling.
Of course, the matching blue hoses were a must-have.
Screwed up my clutching hand last week, but with the help of a band-aid, vet wrap, and a glove, I got out of a short ride today around the block!
herbie
06-02-2022, 05:05 AM
Beautiful picture! :tup:
JerryHawk250
06-02-2022, 07:50 AM
Man she's sexy! What a transformation from when you got her.
Another lunch ride today. Probably the most photographed old cabin in the area. The snow wasn't good to it last Winter. It's finally on its way over. Kinda sad, in a way.
Oddball Matt
06-03-2022, 04:16 PM
Of course, the matching blue hoses were a must-have.
Samco Sport I assume?
Samco Sport I assume?
Spiegler. I really wanted to gamble on the $6.00 AliExpress ones but, but, but....
Well s--t! I went and filled with a tank of Premium and stopped by the local store on the way home for a cold one. The carb was dripping. Hell....just put it back in. Float stuck? I tapped on it with my knife and went inside. Came out. Bike still stunk like raw gas. Figured I'd get 'er home and deal with it later. I shut off the petcock about 100 yards from the shop to drain the float bowl. Deal with it tomorrow......
Came back out to the shop an hour later. Oh no....... My IMS tank that was installed in 2008, and had been crashed on multiple times by the PO....took a dump on me. Crap! Almost 6.00 a gallon.....all over the shop floor. Fortunately I saved the most of it. Tank on order.
herbie
08-16-2022, 01:51 PM
Dang, that stinks, literally! Sounds like my kind of luck.
cheesy
08-16-2022, 04:21 PM
Dang, that stinks, literally! Sounds like my kind of luck.
Yep.
So get this. I know living in CA has its (many) drawbacks, but it seems that ordering a fuel tank was more trouble than expected. Of course, NV and CA work in tandem on many things (NV has become CA PtII), including NV not shipping anything to CA that may be on the Environmentalist's Most Wanted Lists.....which includes gas tanks, apparently.
Many other states also play the game, including Kentucky, believe it or not. I finally found a company that didn't show any shipping restrictions (at the top of the page), so I ordered it. They gladly accepted my almost 300.00.
Three days later I receive a nice email from a nice lady at whom both her and the company will remain unnamed (to protect the innocent, as they say). She states that Kentucky has shipping restrictions to CA for the tank I wanted......BUT.....if I was willing to wait a few extra days, they would ship it to another state where they have a facility, that doesn't have shipping restrictions to CA! I said, HELL YAH!
Now that right there is customer service......
Well, other than waiting for my new Shinko 705's to arrive, the DRZ project is done.
Starting from the intake, the bike already had the "3x3 mod" (big hole you cut in the top of the air box), and a foam filter. I upgraded the Mikuni BSR36 CV carb to a Keihin (China copy) FCR39 Slant carb and just finished a 10 week long forum class on jetting and needles, to get it completely tuned in by professional, who was willing to work with me. I was very fortunate here. I've been tuning carbs for 50 of my 63 years and this guy took me down an entirely different path.
I installed the 434cc big big bore kit and a pair if Stage 2 Hotcams. At the same time, I replaced the timing chain and installed the manual cam chain tensioner, just because I was in there.
I topped the motor work off with an FMF Power Bomb header that attached to my Leo Vince chambered exhaust. Needless to say, the bike now scoots.
Then I converted the S model to an SM and also resprung the rear shock with a stiffer Racetech spring to hold up my girth. Then, new braided brake lines (no, the venerable DRZ doesn't come with them like most China bikes. Go figure). Of course, all fluids have been flushed and changed, along with new coolant hoses.....oh....and the new Acerbis gas tank.
I guess it's time to ride! Now I need to find a new project. I was seriously looking at an old Brit bike like a BSA A65....but then why on Earth would I want to buy yet another set of (Whitworth) tools!? Seriously looking at older Honda's now. Got my eyes on a 1970 CL350. Time will tell.....and I still have a Victory to sell.
Finally changed tires. The crotch rocket tires that came on the KKE wheel set were very flicky. They turned super quick, but sometimes had sticking issues. Very unnerving when it's the front tire that fades through the twisties. Besides, I do a lot of gravel roads and THEY SUCKED on gravel, as expected of a pure street tire.
Got the Shinko 705's mounted and it's good to have the correct tire for my terrain. Also ordered a bigger tail bag. This one only held 2 beers and a baseball cap! Unacceptable!
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