Bike that has been standing for several years

[chunkolini]

I have a mate who knows of a Suzuki DRZ400 Enduro that has been stood in a garage for several years. I am fancying a bike that is usable off road and this seems to fit the bill.
I figure dirt bikes are either knackered or owned by fat lads who dont use them; this seems to be the latter. Dead cheap; if it's in good nic.
What should we be looking out for?
I figure take a charged battery, some easy start and a can of fuel. Drain the carb and see if we get it to start. Or at least get a spark.
What else should we be looking at? wheel bearing seals? cant see them dying but it has been stood a long time, tyres?
If we go for it all new fluids and filters.
Any thoughts appreciated.

 

[Screwdriver]

Make sure its not nicked.
Drain the oil and have a look.
Refill
Check for fuel by removing fuel line
Check fuel lines, check fuel filter
If you're really lucky, carbs might not be varnished else strip clean (pilot jet is usual culprit)
Check inside tank above fuel level for rust
Probably have to drain the fuel and renew (use the old fuel in a lawnmower). Old fuel stinks like mothballs

If it runs and goes, check brake pads for rust. Replace hydraulic fluids, check hydraulic hoses.
Tyres should be fine but check for cracking. Have a look at the spokes while you're at it.
Biggest problem likely to be corrosion around the battery. I've seen frames rusted through where an old battery has leaked.

Great bikes the DRZs. I put a pound to a penny it will just start and run...

 

[Dee J]

Apply common sense... But brakes, tyres, oil, fuel, battery and check the chain ... Thats a reasonable start.

 

[anto44]

Forkseals always seem to pack up a few weeks after you put a bike back on the road thats being sitting for a few years. Brakes will probably need a strip down and clean up as well.

 

[p0689109]

How does draining the oil confirms its not nicked then!!!!

 

[waddycall]

I believe they're prone to an oil leak from the seal behind the front sprocket which is an engine rebuild to sort.

 

[chunkolini]

it's not nicked, my mate knows it's history.
i think a guy who bought it on a whim and lost interest.
Now we just have to pin him down to let us go and check it out.
Plan A is sell my existing bike, an old and tired Africa Twin and use the funds released to buy and fettle the DRZ.
Then tear up the Brecon Beacons. And keep it locked up in my workshop.
I imagine it would last five minutes on the street in Swansea.

 

[cocker]

Don't bother checking the chain , just change it - for a new one !

 

[chunkolini]

Plan A should give me about £400 to spend on sorting it out.
Potentially a monster bargain.
Ha ha ha ha ha ha.
Now we just have to get hold of the owner.

 

[Crater Creator]

I have a DRZ400SM, which is very similar.
Carb is likely to be the problem, as said above, might need a bit of a clean out.
I have read of these engines needing a capful of oil into the spark plug hole to get them running after a lay-up to get the initial compression.
The petcock needs engine vacuum to open when in "on" position, so remember to switch it to "prime".
The clutch needs to be in to start it.
If it's been left on prime, make sure the petrol hasn't drained through the carb into the oil (check oil level is not too high) as this will foul the plug in short order (happened to me).
BTW - you may know this but there's a very simple mod you can do to these bikes to free up a bit more power, just google "DRZ 3x3 mod"
They're great fun to ride - thoroughly recommended!

 

[pedrobedro]

DRZ400 seem prone to electrical problems, they had a couple at the shop that developed charging problems. Stator breakdown and reg/rec at fault on both of them. They are a bit of a tall bike, I'm not short legged but I couldn't get comfortable on one. A cousin of mine has two of them, one of them tuned about 60hp with flat slide carb and it is dangerous in first gear.

 

[chunkolini]

I think for the price it is worth a punt, useful tip about oil down the barrel.
Tuning can wait, they do seem to have a big following on the interweb. Tallness could be fun, but I have been on an Africa Twin for the last four years.

 

[Beeezer]

If it's cheap enough just buy it!!

 

[chunkolini]

I think it is, he's asking £800. My mate reckons we pull a face and ask for 6.
But we have to tie him down. And maybe kick him about a bit.

 

[Robotstar5]

If it's the same as the TS series it won't need a battery to start and run, uses a magneto ignition. Just don't try and test the lights until a battery is fitted.

 

[dobbslc]

If you take tools and petrol with you and get it started he'll want a grand for it!
Just have a good look round it with a few sharp intakes of breath and offer £500 to take it away!
Does it come with the SM wheels?

 

[lazybones51]

I believe they're prone to an oil leak from the seal behind the front sprocket which is an engine rebuild to sort.

I believe it's relatively straightforward to change the seal from the outside, no need to open up the engine. You can get a stainless spacer to replace the corroded original which causes the problem to begin with

Generally good tough bikes, the DRZ-E engines were used in various CCM bikes.

Is it an "E" or "S" model? "E" being the full fat Enduro version and "S" more trail/road orientated and a bit tamer.

 

[chunkolini]

It's the full fat E version.
My mate is trying to get the owner to agree a date to go and see it.

 

[lazybones51]

It's the full fat E version.
My mate is trying to get the owner to agree a date to go and see it.

Great, sounds like a bargain if it's tidy!

 

[MrFluffy]

Africa twin vs DR. Its like comparing a soggy comfy old sofa to a gazelle with big muscles
I have the generation before, I have a sp400 (became the dr400) and a big white pig (xl600), the comparison is the same