Project Ground Pounder -1981 Suzuki DR500

[Kanticoy]

Just curious. Have you calculated or measured the trail for this?

Just did. Trail is exactly 3.42”, so not bad at all.

 

[irk miller]

Just did. Trail is exactly 3.42”, so not bad at all.

It's a chopper. That's not nearly enough.

 

[Kanticoy]

It's a chopper. That's not nearly enough.

As long as it doesn’t throw me into a death wobble I’m considering it a win!

 

[Kanticoy]

Spend some shop time rocking today. Cyclefreak73 brought over a pair of Hagon shocks that I was secretly glad didn’t sell at the swapmeet. Turns out that these put the stance of my bike exactly where I envisioned it being. The original shocks are 16” long and non adjustable. The Hagons are 12.5 eye to eye and fully adjustable for preload. Funny story: originally these came off of Tim’s XS. Then Jared bought them and tried them on his XS but ended up needing longer ones. Now they’re going on this crazy contraption! And the world turns! I have the ride height set right now at 3.25” from frame rail to ground. With tires I should be sitting with the frame rails right around 5” from the ground. Perfect!

Sourced a caliper from my parts bin from a KTM EXC450. This will work just fine:

Spent the rest of the day pulling apart the top end for the motor. Thankfully the bore looks great so it’ll be a re-ring and a hone and should rock! Valves still sealed as well. Cam and rockers are mint, as is the cam chain! Boxed up some bits for the vapor blaster tomorrow. Onward!

 

[Kanticoy]

Almost forgot: I also bought Ephraim’s coveted wheel for the rear. XR250L in 18x2.15 with a cush drive and rear disk. Perfect!

 

[irk miller]

Just a word of advice: No matter how much duct tape you wrap around that front rim, it won't work quite as well as an actual tire. Been there, done that. When you're rambling down the hill, watch out for the electric fence.

 

[hooligan998]

Giggity!

 

[Luugo86]

That front suspension is wild dude lol.... I rly like the tank also

 

[trek97]

Wow yesss! Lookin good 8)

Sorry so late to they party bro. Been elbows deep into my own project.

 

[Kanticoy]

Just a word of advice: No matter how much duct tape you wrap around that front rim, it won't work quite as well as an actual tire. Been there, done that. When you're rambling down the hill, watch out for the electric fence.

You’re crushing my dreams of saving money...

 

[Hurco550]

You’re crushing my dreams of saving money...

im pretty sure that nicks cb200 that I picked up had the rear tire wrapped in copious amounts of duct tape haha

 

[adventurco]

im pretty sure that nicks cb200 that I picked up had the rear tire wrapped in copious amounts of duct tape haha

Yep, still had plenty of 'tread' left!

 

[Sonreir]

Yeah, but have you tried wrapping it in vinyl?

 

[Kanticoy]

Mo’ work. Got the Dunlop D404 mounted and finalized the caliper bracket after doing a little flourishing on the mill for decoration. I’m really starting to love this thing.

 

[Maritime]

Is the rim bent? Looks like it? Other than that, looks good, but D404 are kinda shit for handling, they wear like iron but suck balls in corners, I had a set on my GL when I got it any particular reason you chose those?

 

[adventurco]

Is the rim bent? Looks like it? Other than that, looks good, but D404 are kinda shit for handling, they wear like iron but suck balls in corners, I had a set on my GL when I got it any particular reason you chose those?

I noticed that too, 12 o'clock in the last photo

 

[irk miller]

D404 are kinda shit for handling, they wear like iron but suck balls in corners, I had a set on my GL

Dude, it's a chopper. I have them on my chopper front wheel and I like it. Also use a D404 on my airhead. Maybe it's because your GL is a GL and it weighs 2700 lbs and generally handles like shit anyway.

 

[Maritime]

Dude, it's a chopper. I have them on my chopper front wheel and I like it. Also use a D404 on my airhead. Maybe it's because your GL is a GL and it weighs 2700 lbs and generally handles like shit anyway.

Ha, GL was a sport bike in it's first generation ;D and I did figure it's because it's a chopper, or it was on sale and it's a chopper so didn't
matter as much.

 

[Kanticoy]

I don’t mind the D404. I’ve had them on a few bikes. Try finding 21” street tires and see what your options are out there . And it’s not like this thing will be on a race track anyway. The rim isn’t bent, it has a little gouge from a tire iron but the bead is nice and straight. It’s a $30 wheel so it won’t cause any issues.

 

[irk miller]

Ha, GL was a drag bike in it's first generation ;D and I did figure it handled like a chopper.

Yep