Oh dear...

[placidfemme]

So been riding for about 10-odd years now... and today for the first time, I own a dirt bike :headbang:

It's a DRZ400E

Yay me! :clap:

[nodrog]

Did it come with a free step ladder, and band aids?

[placidfemme]

Did it come with a free step ladder, and band aids?

Yes... and training wheels!!

[Maha]

No cops off road Tammy, ya should be sweet....:2thumbsup

[placidfemme]

No cops off road Tammy, ya should be sweet....:2thumbsup

Exactly... guess I should buy a helmet now :blink:

[george formby]

So been riding for about 10-odd years now... and today for the first time, I own a dirt bike :headbang:

It's a DRZ400E

Yay me! :clap:

I'm jealous, a DRZ is the next thing going into the stable, a road legal one.

[Maha]

Exactly... guess I should buy a helmet now :blink:

I think there's a reasonable place to buy a helmet close to where you are...:confused:

[Mental Trousers]

Won't you need a pair of platform boots on that??

[placidfemme]

I think there's a reasonable place to buy a helmet close to where you are...:confused:

Oh that is just a rumour!!!

My problem is I am an XXS, and even Shoei has no dirt helmets in an XXS and don't want to wait 3+ months. Looking at a Fly F2 Carbon in an XS with 40mm check pads (instead of 30mm), maybe that will fit!

[placidfemme]

Won't you need a pair of platform boots on that??

Nope, can reach the ground on tiptoes and if I lean I can be flat footed on one side. Might be a few epic fails but what the hell :woohoo:

[Mental Trousers]

Nope, can reach the ground on tiptoes and if I lean I can be flat footed on one side. Might be a few epic fails but what the hell :woohoo:

Just make sure you've got really good, well armoured boots. If it topples over you're likely to spend plenty of time with the bike lying on top of your foot/leg.

[oneofsix]

Real encouraging lot aren't they? but what else would you expect from KB :laugh:
Meanwhile I am just jealous :shutup:

[placidfemme]

Real encouraging lot aren't they? but what else would you expect from KB :laugh:
Meanwhile I am just jealous :shutup:

lol I expected nothing less, tis KB afterall!

Yeah what I left out was it was dirt cheap (like real cheap) because it needs a new head, and old owner couldn't (or wouldn't?) pay RRP and labour, so bargain for me and already have the parts sourced and ordered (I'm good at my job... especially when it's for me), so hopefully by Easter it will be running! Not really in a rush as I need to pay for all the parts as well as get the gear (Boots and helmet at least)

[Mental Trousers]

Oh it's definitely a good :yes:

[thecharmed01]

Woohooooooooo! Another convert to the dark side!

Where are you based?

[george formby]

lol I expected nothing less, tis KB afterall!

Yeah what I left out was it was dirt cheap (like real cheap) because it needs a new head, and old owner couldn't (or wouldn't?) pay RRP and labour, so bargain for me and already have the parts sourced and ordered (I'm good at my job... especially when it's for me), so hopefully by Easter it will be running! Not really in a rush as I need to pay for all the parts as well as get the gear (Boots and helmet at least)

That is nothing more than rubbing salt into the wound.

No such thing as a cheap DRZ on trademe, certainly not a road legal one which I need. I do, I really, really need one..

[placidfemme]

Woohooooooooo! Another convert to the dark side!

Where are you based?

I'm currently based in Napier, yeah kind of plan is to fix it up and sell it and then buy either an 125,150 or 250, something a little lighter! But for now when the DRZ is fixed it will be my for fun toy!

[placidfemme]

That is nothing more than rubbing salt into the wound.

No such thing as a cheap DRZ on trademe, certainly not a road legal one which I need. I do, I really, really need one..

Mine is not the SM model, so not road legal at all. If you are keen on a conversion I may be happy to talk business in a few weeks once it's all new and stuff, everything is being replaced with OEM parts and done by a qualified mechanic so will be top notch

[george formby]

Mine is not the SM model, so not road legal at all. If you are keen on a conversion I may be happy to talk business in a few weeks once it's all new and stuff, everything is being replaced with OEM parts and done by a qualified mechanic so will be top notch

:yes: I held my breath when I spotted your penultimate post. Just got to sell the nasty, angry KDX now. Or part ex.....

[placidfemme]

:yes: I held my breath when I spotted your penultimate post. Just got to sell the nasty, angry KDX now. Or part ex.....

Which KDX is it and year?

[george formby]

Which KDX is it and year?

A rough & ready 250 SR about 94 I guess. I basically found it the back of a shed & all I have done is get it running properly, carb float & pilot jet were way off. Only had the chance to ride it half a dozen times hence the need for a road legal trailie..

[placidfemme]

A rough & ready 250 SR about 94 I guess. I basically found it the back of a shed & all I have done is get it running properly, carb float & pilot jet were way off. Only had the chance to ride it half a dozen times hence the need for a road legal trailie..

Hmmm I'll keep that in mind, dirty lil 2 smoker, reminds me of my KR150E...

[george formby]

Hmmm I'll keep that in mind, dirty lil 2 smoker, reminds me of my KR150E...

It ain't little but it is hilarious to ride.

[placidfemme]

It ain't little but it is hilarious to ride.

Sweet.

My DRZ just arrived, ran the chasis and it's a 2007 not a 2003 as the guy said, minter for me! Cosmetics are a bit shitty, but won't take much to make good again, engine is not as bad as we first thought, So might work out better than I imagined!

*does a little happy dance* :scooter:

[george formby]

Ooh, piccies soon.

[Newbi]

Exactly... guess I should buy a helmet now :blink:

I have 3 helmets here, all brand new, we had a dirt bike momentarily and no one but me rode it so it was traded for my Intruder. So we have 3 dirtbike helmets, 1 small 1 medium and 1 large.

[placidfemme]

I have 3 helmets here, all brand new, we had a dirt bike momentarily and no one but me rode it so it was traded for my Intruder. So we have 3 dirtbike helmets, 1 small 1 medium and 1 large.

Ahh, unfortunatley they are all too big for my peanut sized head!

And yup pics will come soon, as mentioned cosmetically it looks a bit rough, just needs a new rear mudguard and front number plate, and some new grips and a clutch lever, and might have the seat re-covered as it has some tears in it. And that's the cosmetics done. Don't think I will even bother with graphics (they have all been pulled off).

Engine-wise needs a new head, all the top end gaskets, cam's, valves and piston rings. Only the head is super pricey (about $1100 RRP), but got a few options on the go. Labor is not an issue, so yeah, watch this space

[pritch]

Might be a few epic fails but what the hell :woohoo:

That's OK, dirt bike offs don't count.

[placidfemme]

That's OK, dirt bike offs don't count.

lol I'm counting on it...

[Tony.OK]

So been riding for about 10-odd years now... and today for the first time, I own a dirt bike :headbang:

It's a DRZ400E

Yay me! :clap:

Pity its a Suzuki.........:innocent::laugh:

[placidfemme]

Pity its a Suzuki.........:innocent::laugh:

I somewhat agree :shutup:

I would prefer a CRF450 to make into a road legal motard or a YZ250 (maybe even the F) for a plaything.

[Skiwi]

Ahh, unfortunatley they are all too big for my peanut sized head!

And yup pics will come soon, as mentioned cosmetically it looks a bit rough

I'm pretty sure we don't need to see the pics of your head, and don't worry beauty is in the eye of the beholder......:laugh:

[placidfemme]

I'm pretty sure we don't need to see the pics of your head, and don't worry beauty is in the eye of the beholder......:laugh:

one of the better compliments I have received! :love:

[thecharmed01]

awww gutted you are so far away hahaha

Ahh well, have some fun on it!

[placidfemme]

Ok, so re-build coming along well.

Have all the parts I need (Gasket Set, Cylinder head, Hot cams, piston rings, valve seals, rear mudguard, graphics, new tyres, handlebars, headlight/front number board, new wiring and switch block for headlight, new grips, clutch lever, gripper seat cover and some other things I am sure I forgot to write in here).

Engine work is being done over Easter Weekend, so right now my focus is on the cosmetics and doing as much as possible on my own. All the plastics have been removed, waterblasted, and now the slow job of removing the sticky shit that was once graphics. Air filter has been removed, cleaned, greased and oiled, air box has been cleaned out.

As with any re-build the more you do the more you find you need to do, and being a girl doesn't help as I want it to run well and look pretty. The running well part is not an issue, but I am too anal about the pretty part, so must focus on not blowing the budget.

A lot of the cosmetic stuff (handlebars, graphics etc) really do not need to be done, but it's getting done haha...

Fun and games

[merv]

Its not making you lose the placid part of your name is it? :woohoo:

[placidfemme]

Its not making you lose the placid part of your name is it? :woohoo:

lol placidfemme is two things I am not.

The bike itself is not frustrating me in any sense, if anything it calms me down working on a project and having something to focus my mind and energy on, and working on it makes me feel proud. It's the knobs I have to deal with regarding it that frustrate me and make me a lot less placid.

[Padmei]

I bought a KLX400 (green drz) about a year ago & went out this morning in the rain into the forest with my mate on his new-to-him YZF450 (road-legal). The difference between the bikes was quite funny. His wanted to rip my head off when the throttle was opened. Mine felt a lot heavier but smoother.

I looked for a long time till I found a road- legal one under $5K. Since then I have put a safari tank on (amazing the number of comments I get from other bikers on the trails & Jo public at the gas stations), case savers from TT & good bars. My muffler has been gutted so it's a bit too noisy for me.

I was getting really really bad mileage as it had a 165 jet in it - the power was pretty bloody good too. I have recently rejetted with a smaller one 155 & although the power has dropped a tad - still way more than what I need for adv riding- the fuel isn't disappearing as I ride.

Throw up some pics if you want.
cheers PAdmei

[placidfemme]

I bought a KLX400 (green drz) about a year ago & went out this morning in the rain into the forest with my mate on his new-to-him YZF450 (road-legal). The difference between the bikes was quite funny. His wanted to rip my head off when the throttle was opened. Mine felt a lot heavier but smoother.

I looked for a long time till I found a road- legal one under $5K. Since then I have put a safari tank on (amazing the number of comments I get from other bikers on the trails & Jo public at the gas stations), case savers from TT & good bars. My muffler has been gutted so it's a bit too noisy for me.

I was getting really really bad mileage as it had a 165 jet in it - the power was pretty bloody good too. I have recently rejetted with a smaller one 155 & although the power has dropped a tad - still way more than what I need for adv riding- the fuel isn't disappearing as I ride.

Throw up some pics if you want.
cheers PAdmei

Sweet, sounds mean!

Yeah I'm a bit slack at pictures this time round, also it doesn't look so tidy right now, got to fit a lot of the parts during the next week.

Finished cleaning all the glue from the old graphics, just have the tank left and then a little more cleaning and new graphics. Got the new high bars today, so that needs to be fitted next week too, along with grips, new headlight switch block, seat cover will arrive next week too.

Want to give the wiring (headlight) a go myself, lol will be entertaining.

I'll take my camera to work next week and get some pics

[placidfemme]

Build still coming along well, Have fitted the new handlebars and moved all the controls/levers to the new bars and fitted new grips.

Noiw that the plastics are clean I fitted the new graphics, it was more tricky than I thought but also not as hard at the same time. And I did a pretty awesome job if I do say so myself.

New Chain and sprockets are arriving tomorrow, and will be fitted with the new tyres next week!

Still waiting on new gripper seat cover!

I did take some pics, but can't load them at work. So will load them later

[placidfemme]

I really really REALLY want to have a massive bitch and moan and rant right now... but deep breathes, all I can say is... thank fuck for Paul from Red Baron :hug:

So anyway, not a shit load going on with the DRZ at the moment, just waiting until the engine is sorted so it be cleaned real well. Only progress of late is the seat has been recovered with gripper cover and thats about it.

Still slack on the picture front... will try sort that soon.