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The Ultimate DRZ-400SM Thread - Mods, Tips and Tricks

Mortifer

Mortifer

Well-known member
Joined
May 14, 2002
Location
SJ
Moto(s)
FJ-09
Name
Mike
Due to the popularity of the DRZ-400SM and the amount of people riding, buying and modding them, I decided to merge a few good informative threads into this "DRZ-400SM Ultimate Thread". I hope this helps many and if you have new info, please post it here! Thanks and ride safe!

Tumper talk- more DRZ400 info than you'll ever need!!! http://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=25

Here's a cool list of upgrades, parts and stores that some recommend.

parts, gear, etc - http://www.motostrano.com/supermoto.html

Lowering your DRZ? - http://www.koubalink.com/drzinstall.html

Wheeling cycle supply, home of the Zeta Levers, http://www.wheelingcyclesupply.com/shop?action=category&cat_id=72, and so many more cool bits for the DRZ SM. http://www.wheelingcyclesupply.com

Tires- most of us really enjoy the Avon Distanzias, they are SM specific with plenty of grip in the twisties and decent off road traction too.
 
Hi All,

I just picked up another DRZ400SM (3rd one!) and this one is bone stock...

I actually bought this bike to race next year in the AFM 250P class, but I would still like to be able to ride it on the street. The bike is an '05 Yellow/Red model and has 800-miles. It's practically brand new. I specifically choose the '05 model as current rules allow unlimited motor mods, but no big bore, and stock carb/airbox)

Here are the current mods:

Renthal Fat bar kit
Acerbis hand guards
Yoshimura RS-2 full exhaust system
FMF Jet kit
Goodridge SS brake lines
EBC HH pads

-

My next step is to remove the front forks and have them revalved/resprung, but other than that, i'm not sure what else to do. Cams? E-model base gasket? Ceramic bearings? Lighter flywheel? Anyone know how to make a 'good' looking belly pan for this bike?

I got the bike for a song, so I have a bunch of cash left over to do some motor mods. What do ya'll suggest?

drz3.jpg
 
lol, congrats!!!

Cams and e gasket are a good start i guess.
Cermamic bearings requires a full engine tear down.:(

Just get a pipe, jet it and enjoy!!!
 
Other than the rule exception, I like the yellow. More specifically, I like the yellow/red combo. You saw how many blacks there were at the techday?

091304drz400sma.jpg
 
As I stated above; you can't change the carb, or even modify the airbox. Internal engine mods are ok -- except for big bore.

If I could do the carb, it would be on the bike already!
 
Russell - many thanks for the link! :)

My finger is hovering by the buy it now button, but I realize that the bike came with a similar belly pan. However, mine has a hole cut out for the drain plug, and i'm sure that is definitely not legal. Can I just cover up the hole?
 
mine definately does not have a hole for the drain plug. I double checked the photo and it looks the same. The four holes in the bottom are all mounting points.
 
1kneedown said:
mine definately does not have a hole for the drain plug. I double checked the photo and it looks the same. The four holes in the bottom are all mounting points.
Click to expand...

Oh, what I meant was mine came with a similiar belly pan made by a different manufacturer. The only real difference I can see is that mine has a hole cut out for the drain plug, and the one on the ebay link doesn't.

I'm wondering instead of buying a new one, if I can just re-use my old one by covering up the hole?
 
IC...that is a tough question, and probably one for the tech inspector to opine on. Try PM'ing Tom Dorsey, aka Gilligan, 250p champion (on a DRZ!) and former (maybe current) head tech inspector for the AFM. His contact info might be on the afm website as well and I think berto had a thread in the racers corner trying to get in touch with him too. basically....all roads lead to Dorsey.

PS I'm pretty sure Dorsey's bike has nothing but a pipe, jet kit and some gearing changes. He's just friggin fast on a road course on that thing.

And it is a hoot to race these things, I am going to get in more than 2 races next year I swear.
 
stan23 said:
As I stated above; you can't change the carb, or even modify the airbox. Internal engine mods are ok -- except for big bore.

If I could do the carb, it would be on the bike already!
Click to expand...
yeah, I was just clarifying for chi...My buddy jeremy was trying to get me to start racing afm in that class, but I have no time/ money right now... maybe in a few years!!!!! I was watching a yellow drz tear it up at infineon a few months back... I was like" wtf is that?... is that a... holy shit its a drz... wtf! " got me thinkin for sure though!
 
stan23 said:
I'm wondering instead of buying a new one, if I can just re-use my old one by covering up the hole?
Click to expand...

I'm not the head tech guy anymore, but if you cover the hole, it has to be permanent, not just duct tape. Also, the pan has to hold a minimum of 3 quarts of fluid or the engine capacity (1.7l on the DRZ) for it to be legal. You might want to have Tazman check it out before the season starts...

If you go with all the engine mods, keep in mind the bike will be illegal in 2009 since the 2005 and earlier exceptions will be eliminated from the rule book. Personally, I'd leave it pretty close to stock because it's more reliable. It's still a single...

Mine is the (faster) yellow 2006 and is stock other than an K&N, jetting (on the Fastline dyno), an FMF header/Leo Vince slip-on, sprockets, Dunlop tires and other minor mods. Biggest improvement was having the suspension done by Ray Perez of RJP Suspensions (408-245-4888). I had it lowered internally 2" up front, 1" in the rear and re-valved/sprung for my weight and style using the stock shock. It's also licensed and I used it to commute on part of the summer, on the race tires.

There are a couple of things I would do if I was going to race it another season that would be legal, but you'll have to email me off list to get those.

In addition, it's going to be for sale very soon since I don't want to re-new the insurance, have 3 other bikes in the garage and I'm coming up to my 2nd year of retirement racing AFM and need to find a new racebike...



Tom Dorsey
AFM 10
 

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gilligan said:
I'm not the head tech guy anymore, but if you cover the hole, it has to be permanent, not just duct tape. Also, the pan has to hold a minimum of 3 quarts of fluid or the engine capacity (1.7l on the DRZ) for it to be legal. You might want to have Tazman check it out before the season starts...

If you go with all the engine mods, keep in mind the bike will be illegal in 2009 since the 2005 and earlier exceptions will be eliminated from the rule book. Personally, I'd leave it pretty close to stock because it's more reliable. It's still a single...

Mine is the (faster) yellow 2006 and is stock other than an K&N, jetting (on the Fastline dyno), an FMF header/Leo Vince slip-on, sprockets, Dunlop tires and other minor mods. Biggest improvement was having the suspension done by Ray Perez of RJP Suspensions (408-245-4888). I had it lowered internally 2" up front, 1" in the rear and re-valved/sprung for my weight and style using the stock shock. It's also licensed and I used it to commute on part of the summer, on the race tires.

There are a couple of things I would do if I was going to race it another season that would be legal, but you'll have to email me off list to get those.

In addition, it's going to be for sale very soon since I don't want to re-new the insurance, have 3 other bikes in the garage and I'm coming up to my 2nd year of retirement racing AFM and need to find a new racebike...



Tom Dorsey
AFM 10
Click to expand...

Hi Tom, Thanks for chiming in and congrats on your 1st place finish in 250P.

The reason why I even want to do motor mods, is because I only really plan on doing this class for one year, and moving onto something else the following year. Regardless of what happens, I will still want to ride the DRZ in the street as my other motard is a time bomb :)

I'll email you for those tips and I'll talk to Ray about getting my forks redone.

Thanks again!
 
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