Suzuki DR400

[TS2Fifty]

Has anyone owned/ridden/worked on a Suzuki DR400 before? I might be getting a cheapie soon (unsure of the year etc) so was just wondering what they're like, how they go, what goes wrong etc just in case there's anything I need to look out for when I see it.
Can't seem to find much on the web about them, which could be a good thing? No-one trying to fix 'cause they aren't broken...? Hope so anyway! Any info would be appreciated.
Cheers, Dan.

[DAVID THOMPSON]

only thing in my area i have heard is they run good and the SM
model seem to have some thing sticky on the back fender
and stuck to it is usually a car with blue lights
and the lights are on


dave

[TS2Fifty]

All good there then! hopefully get to see it tonight.

[m4panther]

my brother picked one up and I took it for inspection. It felt like I was riding a really tall scooter. A hottie laughed at me when I checked her out...That's all I can say about it. It has No balls! but I'm used to riding my 1000s and Black Panther. one other thing is the rev limmiter kicked in when I was doing 95. It shut down till I hit about 80 in a coast <-----that was bull Sheet... I wouldn't buy one

[J-Ball]

Check out
http://www.thumpertalk.com
or
http://www.advrider.com

for more info on these types of bikes.

[TS2Fifty]

Cheers for the replies, I've joined Thumpertalk - seems a good forum. Only problem now is I'm not sure it is a DR at all, I can't find anything like the spec I've got (I bought it by the way, next to nothing! ).

All the DR models seem to be either water cooled moderns or drum braked classics, mine is air cooled (SOHC 396cc 4t single)& has disc brakes, Showa USD forks, D.I.D. wheels, Pro-Link swingarm etc.

If I can't identify it by using the frame number (when I remember to write it down) then I'll try and get some pics up... Ahh hell, I'll get pics anyway.

P.S. m4panther, I had a little ride round on it yesterday on the field by my house & it's not all that bad, the rev-limiter does seem to cut in quite low but it's not short of torque really & pulls well despite being badly overfuelled by it's incorrect VHSB34ld carb (off a 2t!). Maybe it's the octane difference? (In England, standard is 95RON & super is 98-100) but I doubt it.

Either way it's gonna be a 'fun' project, just have to decide whether to road register it or keep it as a field bike....

[TS2Fifty]

Well I take back what I said about Thumpertalk, they seem a right bunch of stuck up eliteists (to put it in a nice way with no swearing...) that won't even take the time to point out a newbie's errors!

Still, I've managed (after much trawling) to find a bit more about the bike myself. The frame turns out to be a Honda (unless Suzuki used the name "PRO-LINK" for their rear suspension too?) & looks very similar to the XR400 chassis, so at least I no longer have the dilemma of using O/E parts etc - I'll just use whatever comes to hand now & hopefully come out of it with a nice useable trailbike.

That is of course, unless Suzuki shared frames with Honda at all, which I doubt as the XR theory would seem to explain why the whole set-up doesn't appear on this handy site Link

If anyone knows different then please let me know as I'm still mildly confused, I'll still try and get some pics up either way to show off my new toy.

[DAVID THOMPSON]

is there a vin label or number stamped in the frame at the fork head
sounds like you got a basket some one shook a bike out of

dave

[TS2Fifty]

is there a vin label or number stamped in the frame at the fork head
sounds like you got a basket some one shook a bike out of

dave

Errr, yes I'm thinking same. Frame/engine numbers match -:597334 So it's gotta be a Suzi frame I'd say? (Or self-stamped, but looks too straight & professional. Will try asking local Suzuki dealer) Can't figure why the swingarm would have a "pro-link" setup though, unless it's a "Honduki"? I have heard of people (mainly in ice racing) building such specials but thought it entailed a Honda rolling frame with Suzuki motor. Can't get the bloody camera to download onto the PC either so no pics yet.

Either way I'm fairly happy with my new toy & actually quite chuffed that if I road-register it, the documents will say "special" in the make/model section. Going to be interesting getting parts though.

[TS2Fifty]

Well I've got the main frame & engine I.D'd, it's an 80/81ish DR400S lump. swingarm & front end appears to be fairly modern Honda XR400 kit.

The main problem I now have is that on looking at the piston it's marked as .10 oversize & the bore is worn & glazed. There doesn't seem to be any more oversize kits available or even a set of +.10 rings (the top 2 gaps are 1.5 & 2mm approx although the oil scraper's reasonably tight)

I think the course of action for now is to ask the local engine specialist to run a hone through the bore & see if that makes things any better at least for the moment, and try to locate a NOS or aftermarket barrel/piston kit. Ho hum, I said this was gonna be an interesting one....