Older DR 600/650 thread (Pre mid 90's)

[volroom]

I'm prepping my DR for a trip. Wildcoast came up with the idea of doing a Namibia trip. I'm still keen. So, just a feeler: who is interested in a week long namibia- coming back through Botswana, trip in August sometime? Camping with tents kind of trip. I've  been dreaming about a trip like this for ages

[volroom]

I'm about done..bike looks good. will show some pics but got a nasty surprise just now. I replaced the old chain with DID VX2, I've put on chains before and adjusted, but I see the clip is gone. Master link thank fully still there. So now...can you buy clips apart or do you have to buy the masterlink? What should I get, which chain tool?

I think what happened was that the links weren't compressed enough for the clips to slot in properly even though it seemed like it did. Any experience out there with regards to this issue?

[Veemax]

Er. Hi ! Been away RIDING , just clocked 12 stunning passes, stitched by 2000km, with the Missus. I took the new DR because it's happy at the lower speeds of my wifes bastard XLX350R. Was a good call , you can't thump the Old DR , you gotta REV it ! I reserve the Pre-96 for hanging with the big dogs , it never ceases being fun to humble a modern bike with an oldtimer ....

SuperDave you and I suffer a similar addiction .... Too Many Bike Itis ? Score on the low km AT man !!! Legend !

I'm at NINE bikes now .... starting to eye the wifes potting shed as potential garage space 

Does anyone following this thread think that 220ml oil consumption per 1000km for an 1987 XLX 350 is a warning sign ?

No vehicle in my stable sips oil , or leaks , those two things FREAK me out. Yeah yeah , I like 'em tight !

[Veemax]

Here's my update.

Waiting for some money to tackle my ambitious project and all of a sudden an Africa Twin with 11 500 km on calls out to me - BUY ME, BUY ME.

Being a nice person who cannot resist pleas for help - I go and buy it.

Now I got too many bikes - for sure as my wife eloquently reminds me.

So my plans for the DR may take a back seat for awhile or I may sell it ( ouch) to help pay for my stunning almost new Africa Twin.

I love the DR - so selling it will be a big decision. I have put much time into it and its only returned the favour with lots of pleasure.

Now I have an added challenge and that is to sell my XLV750r too (maybe) I have spent some time getting her to look good and she performs so well mechanically that it would be sad to see her go. But how many bikes can I ride and maintain realistically?

So I may just end up with 2 bikes - my Honda Blackbird ( maybe) and the Africa Twin definitely.

Some advice here could be useful.

Oooh I can wax on about this horrible wrenching feeling ! Having to sell one of yer babies ! But you have to start asking yourself honestly what type of riding you actually DO ! I have a Tiger 1050 thats AWESOME but only has 14 000km on it since 07. Ditto my Bandit , 2006 , just clocked 20 000km. The bikes getting the most use are the thumpers !  It's because of my Karoo farm , and the Cape Peninsula , the routes I do the most , in the final analysis. You got to be honest with yourself ... the rides you DO, or the rides you dream about. Take stock of this and there is your answer, even if it pains you.

[volroom]

I'm prepping my DR for a trip. Wildcoast came up with the idea of doing a Namibia trip. I'm still keen. So, just a feeler: who is interested in a week long namibia- coming back through Botswana, trip in August sometime? Camping with tents kind of trip. I've  been dreaming about a trip like this for ages

[volroom]

does anyone know what ampere hour battery is in the 1993 DR650? Some source says 3Ah..but that's unbelievable. Please tell me it's 7Ah and bigger...3Ah can't handle electric start..

[Veemax]

I thinks mines a 12 , a Quadflex glass-matt , R610.00

[volroom]

Somre pics. I got a bashplate from kykdaar. Was a generic one, not made to fit a DR.. But I made it fit, had to cut some away but in the end it worked out pretty well. Secured it with some brackets I made.even used U-bolts. Pretty tight.

Zeta raisers and hand guards installed, new grips too.

12V socket installed (compressor runs easily off it when idling)

Screen installed

Rust at bottom of frame sorted

Head light perspex cover put on

Found out why the circlip came off. Changed the front sprocket to 15 tooth, the retainer plate was now too big, and touched the bottom part of the links. Could see it when looking at the links. Made plate smaller.

Pretty happy with everything. Just the set of LED spots that I still need to get, and fit the Goose tube with the tools, and I'm done.ready for a lekka trip. No one else keen for a week long trip?  

[volroom]

Got a question: oks with Dr's and KLR's are saying that fitting a pumper carp TM40 or FCR "transforms" the bike. Really? Is it that good? Theotherguy has got a TM40 on, does it really make the front end come up under full acceleration in first? I'd rather hear this from people who has done the conversion. There is a TM40 for sale on the forum right now for three grand..I've drilled the slide on my BST40 and throttle response definitely is better. After dyno tune I'm quite happy with power through the rev range but acceleration is not near the required amount to have the front end come up in first without the clutch. Perhaps it better that way, longer life on chain, sprockets and tyres. 

[volroom]

This thread awfully quite..

[DeepBass9]

It might get a bit livelier! After looking at all of those sooper cool Amageza RRs, I have decided to do it next year.

Now for the prep.................


So I need to fit a road book and what else? I have the DR 650 Dakar after all?


Bulletproof mill : check
Upgraded suspension : check
Big tank : check
bash plate :  check
knobblies : check
GPS mount : check
Cool pace on the fairing to stick my number on : check

Apparently for the qualifiers you need a fitted numberplate? Now that will be a challenge. I can't seem to keep one on.  



I think I might extend the screen bit to protect the back of the GPS and road book from mud etc.

Any other tips/opinions?

[volroom]

WOW. I don't really have experience to help you here. this sounds like something I might do next year perhaps. In the mean time, when are we going on a trip!

[DeepBass9]

Your bike's looking great, where did you get the screen?

[DeepBass9]

Hey Veemax, how about the Amageza on old school DRs? That's right in your backyard?

[volroom]

Your bike's looking great, where did you get the screen?

It's the extended Dakar (BMW650) screen. Got it second hand for R350 on the forum. Fits like a glove around the front "fairing". Don't know exactly if you fairing looks the same. Gooi a pic there and I'll tell you. Had to drill three holes to secure but it's pretty tight. Does make a difference too when doing highway speeds.

Yeah, I spent quite a bit of money and effort getting her there. now it's just the spots and the tool tube, then I want to go on a trip!!

[DeepBass9]

OK, I thought it looked familiar. Mine has a fairing and a smallish screen, but it should be quite easy to make one from perspex or polycarbonate that is maybe about 10cm taller.

15t on the front must make a lot of difference. I have a 16t front and a 47 rear. Awesome on the dirt and about 110kph at 5000rpm on the tar, but the dirt handling makes up for the lack of top end. I can wind it to 145, but I don't like to punish the old gal too much.

[volroom]

OK, I thought it looked familiar. Mine has a fairing and a smallish screen, but it should be quite easy to make one from perspex or polycarbonate that is maybe about 10cm taller.

15t on the front must make a lot of difference. I have a 16t front and a 47 rear. Awesome on the dirt and about 110kph at 5000rpm on the tar, but the dirt handling makes up for the lack of top end. I can wind it to 145, but I don't like to punish the old gal too much.

we've got about the same gearing now also get around 110 at 5000rpm. It does make a difference - even in town: where before I had to check the tacho the whole time to try and keep her above 3000rpm at low revs, it's not such a big issue anymore! the correct fueling due to the dyno also helps I'm sure. She was running lean before the dynotune. I can accelerate from as low as 2200rpm in 2nd and 3rd depending

[Veemax]

The THREAD IS ALIVE ~!

Hey DB9 , sounds like your bike is Amageza Ready , right off !

Here's a tip , my 110mm PVC pipe luggage system I just finished testing over 1962 km / 12 passes ride on my "new" DR worked so well I'm going to build more like it for the "old" DR , which so far has no luggage system barring a tank bag and soft bag + bungies etc.

My plan was to carry water low low down behind my left knee , to put the COG in the right place , that worked brilliantly , one shorty tube mounted onto the stubs for the left passenger pegs

The horizontal tube, on the other hand, carries :

Syphon pipe
Front and rear spare tubes
Elect fuel pump
Puncture repair kit
Valve tool
Gators
Brush , washing up liquid
Duct tape and cable ties, etc

In other words a self-contained tyre rescue kit, that I can transfer from bike to bike.



Ja so you want me to do the Amageza ?

When it started I had a lot of mates ask me about this. Actually , in the past 4 of us were all ready to to the Dakar. James my mate negotiated 4 new Honda's from Micor , free. When we added up the costs to build Dakar bikes it came to R360 000 each. Starting with a free bike ! Then entry fee plus plus plus came to around R1.4m each. I wasn't the first to bail mind you , but when the reality hit, when the first dude bailed, it didn't take much for the rest of us to catch a reality check .... we're OLD !!! My mate Pete is fit enough and tough enough to crawl to Dakar on broken glass , the rest of us , it turned out , would rather spend that kinda Tom on something else ! James built a plane and flew it around the world instead , Pete got divorced , Rob stayed at home with a good book, and I retired to the bush!

Hahahahaaa, no man I am too OOOLLLLDDD for that Amageza shit. 50 dude. Yes I could hack it , but don't feel the complusion ! I'd rather 3 or 4 of us went on an awesome ride someplace, as VR suggests. I guess I just don't do crowds any more. Quality company , awesome scenery , and an evening pissup is more my thing.

But when it comes to planning a ride I stand back and wait , as you guys can only ride at set times , with jobs and responsibility etc : ) , I am free , limited only by a Dog.

But if you DO wanna do Amageza , you can count on me to run tech and moral support for you. I am very familiar with the Sutherland environs too. Not many people have the local constable in Middelpos on speed dial hahahahahhahaa. ( Long story with my KTM950 abandoned at the top of Gannaga Pass ! )

[volroom]

what an awesome pic! we share the same sentiment. To do a trip however, would mean that we'd have to make it worthwhile for all of us - staying so far away from one another. In other words, it better be a good and proper trip. I was thinking perhaps to  do a trip up Namib and come down through Botswana...in august. But I mean that's just an idea. If there is lekka local routes that we can explore that would be an option too. But the idea for me is like 80 plus percent gravel and even technical, sleep in tents wherever, have lekka braais and beer at night, strong coffee and rusks in the morning and RIDE! i want to see the toughness so proclaimed of the DR myself!

[volroom]

http://www.wilddog.za.net/forum/index.php?topic=96914.0

What do you think about this and what is your pref? any experience with the circlip on the master link MIA? or do you rivet your master link with chain tool? If so, what tool? I've got clip on and to keep it there I used epoxy. Maybe next time, I'll use a rivet link with rivet tool...