The Big DR350 Project. *Updated*
Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2013 2:24 pm
Another period of unemployment hit me end of 2011 and I had to make the tough decision to sell my XR650 and KTM-400. But without a bike I would be lost! Fortunately a close friend came up trumps and gave me this project to keep me on two wheels:
Spiders!
It was stored outside under a tarp for 4 or 5 years and suffered accordingly
Actually quite sound under the corrosion, but never going to be pretty again.
The picture is very flattering as the general corrosion is bad, and all the plastics covered in mould that refuses to come off.
It’s the trail or “S” model DR350, of 1993 vintage. I had the electric start model in the late ‘90s, and they are crackin trail bikes. This one feels noticeably lighter than my other one as it’s a stripped-down kicker, but its always been a good starter. Quite a few useful mods like plastic tank, pumper carb, wider pegs, Vortex airbox, over-sized header and Kientec-modded silencer.
Gave the bike an initial going-over and it needs a good £100 of bits: cables, rear disc, lower shock bush, wheel bearings. Not too bad, well, assuming the chain is ok - its not worn just very corroded…
Chapter 2 to come and covers the first round of getting this old bike moving again.
Spiders!
It was stored outside under a tarp for 4 or 5 years and suffered accordingly
Actually quite sound under the corrosion, but never going to be pretty again.
The picture is very flattering as the general corrosion is bad, and all the plastics covered in mould that refuses to come off.
It’s the trail or “S” model DR350, of 1993 vintage. I had the electric start model in the late ‘90s, and they are crackin trail bikes. This one feels noticeably lighter than my other one as it’s a stripped-down kicker, but its always been a good starter. Quite a few useful mods like plastic tank, pumper carb, wider pegs, Vortex airbox, over-sized header and Kientec-modded silencer.
Gave the bike an initial going-over and it needs a good £100 of bits: cables, rear disc, lower shock bush, wheel bearings. Not too bad, well, assuming the chain is ok - its not worn just very corroded…
Chapter 2 to come and covers the first round of getting this old bike moving again.
