Silly DRZ400 questions

[BUCKWHEAT]

As mentioned in my other post, the DRZ I picked up the other day did not come with a owners manual. Double GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!
So....how do you change/check the oil? Mobil1 10w-40w sound about right? Rider/bike sag? Fork height/oil level recommendations for 160lb trailrider?
Thanks!

 

[biglou]

Change oil-Start it up, let it warm up for 3-5 minutes. Shut it off. Drain oil from the drain plug at the bottom of the frame, near the top of the skid plate, right behind the bottom of the front fender (bolt faces downward). Then drain oil from the case. This drain bolt is on the bottom of the case, kickstand side. Replace the bolts. Don't forget the oil filter! Small, roughly 2" diameter cover on the right side of the case, just above the water pump cover, and just below where the head pipe runs. Remove the three bolts, take the filter out and change it if it is a paper filter. You can get a stainless steel or brass "micro-mesh" reusable filter for these if you want. Once you put one of those in, you can just clean it with contact cleaner and reuse it. Next, pour about 1.75 liters into the dipstick hole in the frame in front of the gas tank. Pour SLOWLY! After that, set the dipstick in the hole, but don't screw it in. Just let it rest there. Start the bike, let it warm up. Shut it off, and see where the level is on the dipstick. Shooting for the middle of the cross-hatched area. Add a few more cc's at a time, restart it, check it again.

As for oil, use only the mobil1 15-w30 red cap synthetic, or a motorcycle-specific oil like Suzuki's brand, or Yamalube 4. These are "non friction-modified" oils that won't cause any potential clutch slippage issues. They are all also around the same price-$3.75 a quart. I change the oil in my YZF after every couple tanks of gas, and clean my reusable filter every other oil change. Cheap insurance for my peace of mind.

 

[BUCKWHEAT]

Thanks. Thats the same routine I did on my old WR250F and I just got done with the new bike. I was bummed to find out the local auto stores had no Mobil1 10-40 except for the $8 a quart bike oil. The only non-EC Mobil1 they had was 15-50. Also, the bike seemed to be running reeel lean so I yanked the plug and it was white....not good and I will be rejetting very soon. I'm just wondering how rich I should go over stock with my altitude.

 

[captainkev]

Buckwheat,

Check out the DRZ link on Thumpertalk.com.
There is alot of jetting options you can get there for various altitudes.

Kevin

 

[captainkev]

Buckwheat,

I just checked out the link from Thumpertalk.com, it is DRZ.info.
I used it for re-jetting on my KLX400r. I pulled the snorkle from the breather box and went with a 165 Main Jet and a 48 Pilot Jet, and came out 2 1/2 turns on the fuel screw. But.............I think you said you were in the 5k to 10k altitude range, so you would have to adjust for that.
The other thing I did, was to go with a Race Tech Suspension, as I found the stock Suzuki/Kawi suspension a bit soft and Divey for my 210 lbs.
It really tweaked out the ride and makes it handle like a totaly different bike now.
Hope this helps,

Kevin

 

[BUCKWHEAT]

I yanked the snorkel off of mine as well and stock jetting seems good with three turns out. Probably a turn in at altitude. It's gonna be awhile before I can give the suspension a fair workout as I am healing from ACL surgery (9 weeks ago). I weigh only 160 so the stock springs and valving may do fine at trail pace. No doubt they would be too soft for moto but that's not why I got the bike anyway. One thing I gather from the posts at TT is to protect the cases on both sides...very weak covers. I am set there with some skid plate extensions that overlap on both sides very well. Devol radiator guards are on order now.

Thump on!

 

[beefking]

Don't use synthetic oil if you are just breaking it in, the synthetic doesn't allow the rings to seat as best as they could with regular oil. Clutch action and shifting also seem to be much smoother with 15w-50 oil, synthetic Mobil One. Just look for the red cap, its some of the best stuff out there. I've got about 3800 off road miles on mine, clutch and everything is still like new.
Just another note whether the bike is new or not, keep an eye on the right intake valve clearance (should be .004-.008" or .10-.20mm) as it tends to tighten up.

Good luck. ;)

 

[captainkev]

Sounds like your getting it set up right.
I did order and install the CFC Ignition and Clutch covers from TT.
My Baja Skid Plate has the wings that come up for some side protection, but the case guards also protect from the brake and or clutch pedals being pushed into the sides of the case.
The covers fit real well and went on in a minute using Permatex 16B silicone adhesive.
I have Devol Radiator guards on order as well and should be putting them on the bike this weekend.
Hope the ACL heals up quick.

Kevin

 

[BUCKWHEAT]

The bike is broken in and has very few miles on it beyond that as far as I can tell....it's a used 01'. I'm gonna use the Mobil1 15-50 next as it's about 3 bucks cheaper than the moto specific Mobil1 10-40. I will be able to trail ride soon with the assistance of CTi2 but my aggresiveness will be a bit subdued no doubt. Neighbors probably tiring of me plonking around in the cul-de-sac every day:-)

 

[Fly'nBrian]

Buckwheat,
I was able to stay totally stock here in Michigan, my only change was to drop to a 13t countershaft sprocket. Better for tight trails and lets you pick up the front end very easy. You will enjoy the bike I am sure.

Make sure you check the rear shock linkage many come bone dry from the dealers add grease if needed. Also check the steering head. Loctite the kickstarter bolt too.

Brian

CaptianKev.
There are a bunch of us that ride in and around Moorestown.

 

[captainkev]

Fly'n Brian

My cabin is between Frederic and Kalkaska, and slightly North.
Where abouts is Moorestown?

Kevin

 

[BUCKWHEAT]

Thanks for all the tips. Is it okay to just hit the linkage with a grease gun or is that not sufficient? I wish I had a kickstarter bolt to loctite! Maybe I will end up putting the kicker kit on someday....after the battery calls it a day in the middle of nowhere. Wheelies are good...13 on the front....hmmmm.

Thump On!

 

[Derhntr]

Buckwheat,

Yep use a grease gun on the zerks on the linkage, just don't force or you will blow the seals.

Kevin,
Moorestown is just east of lake city. We have the west higgins loop and the missaukee loop over 75 miles of trails also have 2 bike only loops. fun trails

Brian

 

[captainkev]

Brian,

Sounds good. I am right in the middle of the Kalkasa Loop, and the Middle of the Blue Bear Trail as well, if you sled.

Kevin

 

[Derhntr]

Kev,
I use to ride the south loop all the time but it got all whooped out as of my last ride, 2 years ago. Killed me with stock DRZ suspension. In the mid 80's there were plenty of hills to climb in that section too.

I love the Fredric loop.
Were you able to get your Kaw licensed? I got my DRZ plated from the dealer.

Brian
See ya on the trail.
If you get a chance come ride with F&S and myself on the 19th.

 

[captainkev]

Brian,

I bought and installed a Baja Brake and Tail light assembly, put on a legal but useless Acerbis left side mirror, added a squeezy ball horn, and got it signed off to licence it.
It still has the Dunlp 756's front and back but it has a plate now, so I'm covered.
I will have to check about the 19th, I will have just got to the cabin then, and need to get the sleds summerized and see how the bike runs. If you guys get up to the Kalkaska trail, I could probably hook up with you there.
Email me at [email protected] and let me know when and if you will be on the Kalkaska loop at all.

Thanks,

Kevin

Kevin

 

[Rick G.]

Buckwheat- the owners manual is nothing special, not good for a complete teardown like the Yamaha's-\
But I have one and its yours for the price of postage-
[email protected]
BTW it recommends 10-40

 

[BUCKWHEAT]

Thanks Rick! I'll email you and set something up.