DR350 MODS
Mike Shaw
modifications for the up and coming season. I'd like to know
any pro or cons on the following mods:
o Race Tech cartridge emulators. I'll have either Race Tech
or an 'approved' vendor make the installations.
o Revalve the Shock, new spring possibly.
o Supertrapp EAR (do I need to re-jet?. Do I really gain more
HP?. How much loader than stock?).
o Pirelli MT-21s, (does anyown know the largest tire size that
will fit on the rear w/o rubbing on the swingarm?)
o Stiffen the swingarm.
If anybody has any experience with the above, or any other
mods I'd love to hear about them.
Thanks
-Mike
Jim Engle
writes:
>I have an '95 DR350ES and I'm planning to make a few
>modifications for the up and coming season. I'd like to know
>any pro or cons on the following mods:
>
>o Race Tech cartridge emulators. I'll have either Race Tech
> or an 'approved' vendor make the installations.
I've had good luck just increasing the oil weight up front. Considerably
less expensive, but then if you're looking for something othern what I
wanted, oil may not do it.
>o Revalve the Shock, new spring possibly.
>
>o Supertrapp EAR (do I need to re-jet?. Do I really gain more
> HP?. How much loader than stock?).
Someone here on r.m.d said the EAR wasn't much inprovement over stock.
Much more HP from Supertrapp's racing series exhaust. Much louder also...
>o Pirelli MT-21s, (does anyown know the largest tire size that
> will fit on the rear w/o rubbing on the swingarm?)
I asked this question about a month ago. I've been running 120/90s with
good results. A friend with a '91 DR350S got a 110/80 and it was
pathetically tiny. I think the next one I buy is going to be the 130/90.
I'll shave the side knobs if they're too close. Bottom line is that I
don't know the answer to this question.
>o Stiffen the swingarm.
What symptoms indicate swingarm flex? Hell I can barely feel handlebar
flex...
>If anybody has any experience with the above, or any other
>mods I'd love to hear about them.
I've gained HP from simply allowing it to breath better. Open up the top
of the air box and remove the backfire screen on the other side of the
filter. I typically a 142.5 main and shim the needle up about .010".
Pilot jet is a, um, bigger one too. Let me check tonight. Email me if I
don't get back to you tomorrow.
Jim Engle
'93 DR350S '86 KX250
DOD 7439
Cincinnati, Ohio
Roger Grow
There are two places that I know about that could help you
a lot. Thumper Racing and Cycle Gear. They both have free catalogues
with oodles of DR (and other) mods. I wish I had the phone #s, but I'm
sure someone else here can help out (if not I'll get the #s on Mon).
I like the Cobra ISDE exhaust on my DR. It's aluminium with fiberglass
packing. It's close to stock loudness untill you really get on it, then
it's louder. It weighs about 1/3 of the stock box.
One of the two above places (mabye both) has a shift lever that is off
by 1/2 spline to cure that too-high-or-too-low lesser of two evils
shifter problem (that I have anyway). Theyre proud of it though, $30.00.
The replacement "Magic Air Box" they sell is supposed to be "bolt on
horsepower"
I'll have to agree about the fork oil, try that first. I have
progressive springs front and rear and they work well. Not that
expensive (especially compared to a new shock) either.
Now a question. Any opinions about the difference between 4 and 5 ply
tires (Metszler)? Why 5 ply?
RHG
Mike Shaw
far as speed goes, I would like to "try" to keep up with my 250cc 2-stroke friends
with a confidence that the suspension won't wash out on me, but keep the
modification costs around the $500 mark. I would like to keep the total bike
mods in the $1000 range. Maybe a couple of seasons out I'll put in a big-bore
kit, but for now I'm looking for a more dirt worthy Dual Sport w/o dipping into
the KTM price range.
From what you are saying about the Supertrapp EAR, its just a weight issue over
the stock muffler. I want to keep the noise down because I will be on the street
some of the time.
BTW, who did your suspension work?
Thanks for the info Graeme, its been helpful.
-Mike
GraemeD
<rbt...@snowcrest.net> writes:
>Definitely go for the swingarm mod if you ride in any rocks at all or
like to
>
>get some medium to large air. I had mine boxed in and I could definitely
tell
>
>the difference - mainly in rocky terrain and on medium to large landings.
>Make sure that you put a spacer in the axle location while welding so
that
>there is no deforming/warping.(Learned the hard way on the first one we
did!)
>
>
I put a spacer in and it still warped on me, not bad about 1/8", makes it
tough to put the wheel in. so if you are going to do it put a spacer in
that slightly spreds the arms.
just use a pipe that the axle will fit through, and cut it a little longer
as to spread the arms about 1/8"
Graeme D. Denver Co. AMA 05684089
95' KTM 250SX
93' DR 350P