2003 Suzuki DR-Z125L mods ????????

[jcramin]

I know its not the best bike to start with, but it is for my wife and I got a great deal on it.

BUT, what kind of mods can I do to this bike to make it better. My wife likes getting big air so she will be jumping this bike. We trail ride a lot too.

Thanks,
J

 

[hoosierf]

First you need the BBR frame cradle. This frame doesn't like big air. Mine has the BBR triple clamp, BBR frame cradle, BBR pipe, BBR springs front and back, 24mm Kehin carb, the Powroll stroker crank, Powroll big bore kit and the Powroll mid range cam. Don't buy the BBR 26mm carb. I could never get mine jetted and there are no needles available for it. The 24mm carb is a good mod, they came stock on the ATC 200X in 1984-85. If you go that route you'll need the pipe to make it worth the effort. You'll need to cut the snorkle out of the airbox and open it up to the rectangular mold lines in the top either way. With all of these mods, the weakest link is the ignition. The rev limiter stops the fun pretty early. I'd also change the gearing, even if you plan to keep the motor stock. I'd guess about two teeth smaller on the back is close. Jetting with my setup at sea level, 65 degrees and moderate humidity is 40 pilot, stock 200X needle and 120 main. I supect I could cut the main back a bit, but it runs really well so I haven't messed with it. BBR had a great tip on their pipe. An XR 50 or 70 end cap will bolt right in to the end of their pipe (you have to elongate the holes very slightly). That end cap has a spark arrestor and cuts the noise dramatically without sacrificing much power.

 

[gavzx7]

Hey Hossierf,

Can you elaborate a little on the carb? The thing where BBR gets you is that you need their handy dandy carb boot thing. I've also heard some negative comments on the BBR carb.

I race mine in the Mini-TT class and it needs to be less than 160ccs. I've laced up 17's for it and it actually handles pretty well. I raced it in Stockton, CA and it actually handled pretty well. Needed way more poop though!

Have you tried the valve cover vent thingie? I'm about to pour a ton of money into mine and want to get all of my ducks in a row before I make the jump.

Did you have the flywheel turned?

I really like my DR. I think it's got some potential.

Talk to you later!

 

[Brianc]

Check with Powroll WWW.Powroll.com
They specialize in 4 stroke mods. They just did a stroker crank for my son's CRF150. The bike really pulls hard now. Even pulled a 2nd gear wheelie with me on it ( didn't slip or pop the clutch, just gassed it from 10 mph and the front lifted ). You can get carbs through Sudco for anything on 2 wheels. when you order the carb, tell them what mods you've done and they can jet the carb for you. They advertise in the magazines or you can check out their website, but you need to call them for any real info. Since you changed your rear tire size, you should consider a smaller front sprocket to offset the loss of torque caused by a larger tire.

Good luck and have fun

 

[hoosierf]

Sudco cannot spec out a carb for the stroker DRZ motor. I tried with them. I have the crank case vent, but I've modified the motor so much I can't tell whether it makes a difference, or not. The BBR carb is simply too big for the stock motor. Once I modified the motor, the bike would idle on the 26mm BBR carb, but had a huge bog in the middle. I called Carb Parts Warehouse, BBR and Sudco and neither could not get a richer needle for the carb. I called Powroll and they recommended the 24mm kehin from the 200X. It ran spot on with the needle in the richest position and stock jetting otherwise. If you are limited to 160cc, I'd go Powroll big bore (race gas only), Mid range cam, BBR pipe and the 24mm carb. I did not turn the flywheel down, but I may try that yet. If you look at the flywheel, you'll see that it is quite different than the TTR flywheel and I'm not quite sure how you'd remove weight from it. I called BBR and asked them and I got a vague answer, so I didn't do it since I had a bad experience with the carb. The thing that BBR makes that you'll need for the 24mm carb is the aluminum manifold. The one they make for the 26mm carb will bolt right up. I robbed the one from the 26mm carb they sold me. If you call them, I bet they would sell just the manifold.

 

[gavzx7]

Thanks for the info guys.

I already have the BBR pipe on it. Being from the Seattle area, I can drive to BBR and pick up the stuff from their shop so it makes it quite convenient. The reason I asked about the carb boot is because I know they won't just sell the one they have for the 26mm. They want you to buy the whole carb too.

The gearing wasn't actually too bad for the stockton track I raced. I just had ACL surgery the day after the race and it was my last race for a while so I didn't even bother with the gearing. I will definitely change it in the future.

I was just at a friends house taking his TTR apart (he is preparing to build a monster motor as well)and actually had a look at his flywheel. I haven't had the Dr. Z apart yet so I'm not sure of the difference. I'll be doing that in the near future.

I planned on buying most of the parts from Powroll because nobody else is making cams and such for these. Sheesh...I wish someone would put some development into these things!

Thanks again!

 

[jcramin]

Thanks for all the info guys, Im picking up the DR-Z125 tonight and my wife will be sooooooooo happy now. Shes tired of riding the old DR-125's I have. This new DR-Z is so much lighter and quicker than the two 1987's I have. Not to mention this new one looks a lot better.

I do plan on doing the BBR Fork and Shock springs right away and the top clamp to get some good bars on it.

I was going to go with a bigger bike for her, but the deal I got on this was just too sweet to pass it up. So this will be for the wife till one of my boys grows into it, then the wife will get a new bigger bike.

Thanks,
J

 

[Brianc]

Originally posted by hoosierf
Sudco cannot spec out a carb for the stroker DRZ motor. I tried with them. I have the crank case vent, but I've modified the motor so much I can't tell whether it makes a difference, or not. The BBR carb is simply too big for the stock motor. Once I modified the motor, the bike would idle on the 26mm BBR carb, but had a huge bog in the middle. I called Carb Parts Warehouse, BBR and Sudco and neither could not get a richer needle for the carb. I called Powroll and they recommended the 24mm kehin from the 200X. It ran spot on with the needle in the richest position and stock jetting otherwise. If you are limited to 160cc, I'd go Powroll big bore (race gas only), Mid range cam, BBR pipe and the 24mm carb. I did not turn the flywheel down, but I may try that yet. If you look at the flywheel, you'll see that it is quite different than the TTR flywheel and I'm not quite sure how you'd remove weight from it. I called BBR and asked them and I got a vague answer, so I didn't do it since I had a bad experience with the carb. The thing that BBR makes that you'll need for the 24mm carb is the aluminum manifold. The one they make for the 26mm carb will bolt right up. I robbed the one from the 26mm carb they sold me. If you call them, I bet they would sell just the manifold.

I wonder if the 26 mm carb might work for my son's CRF150 ( now its 178 with the stroker crank). Would you like to sell it? email me if you would [email protected]

 

[FMFHonda161]

2 words, B-B-R!

 

[TEAMWFO]

I have bbr springs for drz125l Ill sell.I put rm80 forks cr80 shock on mine.

 

[jcramin]

What do you want for the springs ?

Thanks,
J

 

[TEAMWFO]

110.00 for both plus shipping email [email protected]

 

[hoosierf]

TEAMWFO:

How about posting some photos of your modded up suspension? I'd like to see how you did it.

Hoosierf

 

[jcramin]

Id like to see it too.

J

 

[TEAMWFO]

RM80 or KX80/100 triple clamps and forks bolt on with no mods except the drz front rotor is bigger so you have to modify the caliper.97 to 03 cr80 shock bolts on but the spring is alittle to fat at the bottom so you have to grind the cases and grind and weld on the frame above linkage mount.Idont have a digital camera rigt now.sorry

 

[TEAMWFO]

sorry I took so long to get back with you.Shipping is going to be about 20.00 email me if your still interested

 

[CJ Rider]

Please take no offense at this comment guys, but... you are counteracting your "good deal" with all those expensive mods.

Might I suggest that you let your wife learn to ride one season on that stock 125L. Ya really don't need any more than that just to learn. If she still likes jumping and such after her first season, then trade in that puppy on a KX100. If ya throw a flywheel weight on that puppy and add a TCII spark-arrestor pipe for the trails, she'll have a great performing bike, light weight, lots of power, easy as pie to start, and amazing suspension comparatively for much less money than you would have spent on all those mods. She'll be a happy camper and so will your wallet.

Just a thought.

 

[jcramin]

Actually, she learned to ride her first season on a old beat up 1987 DR125 and you wouldnt belive how HI and how FAR a FAT, HEAVY 1987 dr125 will fly. So my plan was to let he ride this new DR-Z125 for a year untill my oldest son gets tall enough then give hime the DR-Z and get my wife a realy bike. And as for as the KX-100 idea, I am barrowing a 99 KX-100 from a friend, and my wife already fell in love with that bike too, but he isnt ready to sell the KX-100 to me yet, but when he is ready to sell it I will buy it.

J