The DR650 thread

**bart** · 6th August 2011, 17:15

Originally Posted by Phreaky Phil

Anything can be made to fit. With MX forks there's no speedo drive so your'e up for a digital speedo. Also need brackets for the ignition switch and steering stop mods usually. Also with 300mm of travel it will sit the front quite high if you do nothing with the back. And making the DR wheel fit will involve a lot of shagging around or get a RMZ or whatever wheel to fit.
Thats why I posted the DRZ250 front end. I'm pretty sure they are 43mm cartridge forks, same size as the DR650 so would bolt into the original triple clamps saving a lot of work. The DR650 wheel may fit without too much work, otherwise use the DRZ250 wheel and fit a bigger disc kit if the brake isnt good enough. Ive still got the drz400 brake on mine. Its OK

just with 2 of us on it. I will swap it for a 320mm supermoto setup soon.

Cheers. I'm just weighing up some options. The DRZ250 sounds like a good option, but shipping from the mainland may negate any saving. Best option may be to modify my existing forks (intiminators or whatever). I'd love to go to upside down jobbies, but if it cost a couple of hundy to make it fit, it's not worth it. I'm not planning on jumping table tops....often

**bart** · 6th August 2011, 17:46

BTW, fitting new fork seals tomorrow (well, atempting too).

Mentioned on the packet:

CR125R 84-86
CR250R 82
CR480R 82
KX500 83-88
DR650SE 96-11
DR800 (Euro) 91-97
RM125 84-88
RM250 83-88
RM465 81-82
RM500 83-84
IT200 84-86
IT250 83
IT490 83-84
TT600 83-86
TTR250 99-06
YZ125 86-88
YZ250 81-88
YZ465 81
YZ490 82-90

I guess that says the DR is pretty old tech

**Woodman** · 6th August 2011, 17:58

Not a DR but relevant all the same. There must be literally hundreds of klrs with usd forks on them. The conversions can be a bitch apparently, especially with steering locks /key etc but most say its worth it, in fact i suspect a lot are done for looks only. I thought about it and looked at Nordies yz ones, but in the end decided that if I did a front end swap then the rear would feel inadequate and then more $$$ to do that etc etc. Would be better off just selling it (never) and getting a ktm or something that already handles without having to go down the frankenbike route and it still not being all that great. Would be a good project though, but at the moment my money is better spent on gas, tyres and rego.

**dino3310** · 6th August 2011, 19:21

Originally Posted by bart

BTW, fitting new fork seals tomorrow (well, atempting too).

I guess that says the DR is pretty old tech

it was new Tech in 1990

**bart** · 6th August 2011, 20:10

Originally Posted by dino3310

it was new Tech in 1990

Sad thing is that my bro has a mint 1980 something CR125 in his shed, and I'm thinking about butchering it for parts.

(Might be an '88 though, not an '86.... I'll have to check)

**Pikey** · 7th August 2011, 12:00

Made this from template on ADVRider. Thanks Lincoln.

Click image for larger version.

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**NordieBoy** · 7th August 2011, 12:24

Originally Posted by Pikey

Made this from template on ADVRider. Thanks Lincoln.

I notice he's removed the pics (patent pending) now...

**Pikey** · 7th August 2011, 13:41

Was not a problem

Just sent him an email and he emailed template etc to me

**Squiggles** · 7th August 2011, 16:38

Originally Posted by Pikey

Made this from template on ADVRider. Thanks Lincoln.

What is it made of?

**gav24** · 7th August 2011, 19:47

Looks good!
Better than most of the bought ones. Let us know how it works after a test ride...

**gav24** · 7th August 2011, 19:51

Originally Posted by bart

Sad thing is that my bro has a mint 1980 something CR125 in his shed, and I'm thinking about butchering it for parts.

(Might be an '88 though, not an '86.... I'll have to check)

Mint 80's bike

... Butcher it for parts

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Wait til bikes are crashed / blown up first man!

If he doesnt want it, I may have room in the cave for it...

**NordieBoy** · 7th August 2011, 20:05

Originally Posted by Squiggles

What is it made of?

Made mine from a rubbish bin...

**Pikey** · 7th August 2011, 20:46

Acrylic shower lining

Seemed to provide some protection. Bit weird not seeing the front end though?
May try clear or tinted one?

**bart** · 7th August 2011, 22:20

Originally Posted by gav24

Mint 80's bike

... Butcher it for parts

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Wait til bikes are crashed / blown up first man!

If he doesnt want it, I may have room in the cave for it...

He bought it new. A couple of years ago he put in the spare piston/rings etc, thinking he'd get back into trail rides, then it was retired as he bought a new CRF250R. Mint bike.

I started pulling my forks to bits today. Didn't get far. I'm going to have to borrow some tools. Looks a little more complex than I thought.