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DRZ experts inside

mitchntx

Follower of Rev. Doug
Joined
Jun 11, 2006
Messages
4,521
Reaction score
1,513
Location
Whitney
First Name
Mitch
Last Name
Warren
I recently took delivery of a 2000 DRZ400S.

On Thumpertalk, I identified the CDI unit on my bike and based upon the data in the FAQ, it is indeed an S model.

I need a few items to get it rolling.

1st is a right side radiator and a set of hoses. The radiator is split and twisted.

There are countless DRZ radiators available on eBay. But I want to put reliable parts on it. So my question is ... are they all the same?

For instance
https://www.ebay.com/itm/FOR-SUZUKI...ash=item2a6fc3fa32:g:brkAAOSw8oFXx9-r&vxp=mtr

Or would it be best if I try and source a genuine Suzuki part like this?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2008-00-16...ash=item25dec5570e:g:e~oAAOSw7ZlZpXbd&vxp=mtr

The "might as well" in me wants to install new radiators and new hoses while the coolant system is breached ... do the job once and be done with it ... safety - quality - schedule

Any direct insight?
 
No, they are not all the same...

The early DRZ E and Kicker used a different flow
2002 and later they are all the same

All year DRZ400S, SM and 2002 and later DRZ E are all the same


I recently took delivery of a 2000 DRZ400S.

On Thumpertalk, I identified the CDI unit on my bike and based upon the data in the FAQ, it is indeed an S model.

I need a few items to get it rolling.

1st is a right side radiator and a set of hoses. The radiator is split and twisted.

There are countless DRZ radiators available on eBay. But I want to put reliable parts on it. So my question is ... are they all the same?

For instance
https://www.ebay.com/itm/FOR-SUZUKI...ash=item2a6fc3fa32:g:brkAAOSw8oFXx9-r&vxp=mtr

Or would it be best if I try and source a genuine Suzuki part like this?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2008-00-16...ash=item25dec5570e:g:e~oAAOSw7ZlZpXbd&vxp=mtr

The "might as well" in me wants to install new radiators and new hoses while the coolant system is breached ... do the job once and be done with it ... safety - quality - schedule

Any direct insight?
 
Mr. Lead ... thanks and how much?
Location?
PM if you prefer ...

Erik,
Doug told me you are the DRZ Grand-PooBah. Thanks for your insight.

I apologize for the poorly worded question.
What I meant to ask are the off-brand radiators just as reliable as the OEM versions?

In parallel, I've been absorbing all I can going through the countless threads on TT. It's like drinking from a firehose. It appears a Myler's radiator is the pinnacle.

I found an OEM radiator salvaged from an 01 S, so I snagged it.
 
"Doug told me you are the DRZ Grand-PooBah. "

Ive heard rumors that Doug has been known to exaggerate the truth.... :giveup:

I know what I know because Ive had time and experience to screw up more then you...:-D

"What I meant to ask are the off-brand radiators just as reliable as the OEM versions?"

Yes, No, depends....
I have used Chinese rads on a few bikes...they still hold pressure.
I bought a set of "racing" rads for my VTR1000F that never was, nor every will be a "racing" motorcycle..They are larger volume and more surface area so fit my needs ...they also don't have the fan mount tabs in the correct spots for a VTR as advertised and the temp sensor bung is not correct for the OEM temp sensor size ...
So new sensor and some adapter plates...all is well..

Point is,,,sometimes they fit, some times they don't, but they all seem to hold coolant at pressure.....so far anyways

"Myler's radiator"
They are my go to place for repairs ....there are others, even a few local I could drop off at...
But I KNOW if I put it in a box, have the mail lady pick it up when she brings mail..it will be back at my driveway gate in a few days repaired and tested at a fair price.... IOW its a job I don't have to worry about....So I use Mylers .

"I found an OEM radiator salvaged from an 01 S,"
That will work just fine.


Mr. Lead ... thanks and how much?
Location?
PM if you prefer ...

Erik,
Doug told me you are the DRZ Grand-PooBah. Thanks for your insight.

I apologize for the poorly worded question.
What I meant to ask are the off-brand radiators just as reliable as the OEM versions?

In parallel, I've been absorbing all I can going through the countless threads on TT. It's like drinking from a firehose. It appears a Myler's radiator is the pinnacle.

I found an OEM radiator salvaged from an 01 S, so I snagged it.
 
I've always found Doug to be honest and trustworthy. I've seen him help little old ladies to cross the street.
Exaggerate? I find it hard to believe.

I need to use his tire changing gear ...


PO claims the petcock would leak and I see fuel stains on the starter and case cover.

In my firehose drinking, I discovered threads on petcock replacement. Seems the use of a YZ petcock eliminates the vacuum operated OE stock unit but eliminates fuel reserve.

Guess it's time to order a tool tube and use an MSR bottle.
 
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I've always found Doug to be honest and trustworthy. I've seen him help little old ladies to cross the street.
Exaggerate? I find it hard to believe.

Did he also own up to doing the escort duty on back wheel riding his DRZ and that he often had to make several trips back and forth because those little old laddies move so slow? :giveup:



Seems the use of a YZ petcock eliminates the vacuum operated OE stock unit but eliminates fuel reserve.

Guess it's time to order a tool tube and use an MSR bottle.

There are several options
If you want to retain the reserve the OEM Yamaha Raptor ATV is a good choice.

https://thumpertalk.com/shop/Yamaha-FUEL-COCK-ASSY-1-5LP-24500-01-00-p1000322768.html
 
Another question ...

Coolant overflow tank. Is it located under the fuel tank?

The mangled radiator was already removed when I arrived to pick up the bike.

I see a small hose that connects just beneath the radiator cap typically used for coolant overflow and see it disappear into the darkness under the tank. So i assume the overflow is under there and not a component removed and failed to turn over to me.
 
Hey Mitch, I have a yamaha petcock I will give you, and I can sort your hoses, there is a cross tie hose. Coolant tank is down by the front of the swingarm.
 
P.S. Erik I told Mitch how you popped up with a compression adjuster for a stock shock for me in a pinch. Plus I pointed to the FAQ on TT. I didn't tell him I had a thread in that mess, it would just give me the big head.

I followed most all the advice you have supplied over the years and you have never led me astray, sir. Plus we are all veterans and stuff.:clap:

Finally, you forgot to mention I am an Eagle Scout too.:eek2:
 
The tank is on the left side behind the frame rail.

It cracks easily after its been exposed a dozen years and or seen lots of sun.

The system needs the tank, its an expansion tank, not just overflow

attachment.jpg

Another question ...

Coolant overflow tank. Is it located under the fuel tank?

The mangled radiator was already removed when I arrived to pick up the bike.

I see a small hose that connects just beneath the radiator cap typically used for coolant overflow and see it disappear into the darkness under the tank. So i assume the overflow is under there and not a component removed and failed to turn over to me.
 

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Thanks folks.
Doug, kind offer, but it's already ordered ... $20

Head size not withstanding, I may need your expertise in filling and burping the coolant system.

With a charged battery, the bike fired off and idled perfect.
 
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midweek
I need to get a lower hose as well.
The one on it is chewed up pretty good from the worm clamp.
 
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Well Now Doug, the proper DRZ color would have been yellow.
attachment.jpg

But you get style points for being different and detail points for the red accents on the cover guard..

Which reminds me..
Mitch If the shifter back side has not been rounded over yet, please do,
attachment.jpg

and if it does not have a set of side case covers, get some in soon.

Guards and attachment RTV in a single package order. https://thumpertalk.com/shop/ThumperTalk-DRZ-Case-Shields-Combo-Pack-w-RTV-Adhesive-p2006766599.html

Get a silicone set so you can be like me....

20171119_2012241.jpg
 

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I've always wanted to be just like you, Doug.

Oh no ... I ordered blue hoses.

Paul, at at the end of a very long line.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
 
Eric, should it get a set of radiator guards as well? Just want to help spend Mitch’s money:trust:
Yes..... And I Sir am a certified Expert in SOPM
Spending Other Peoples Money ..I literally do it for a living... :-D
 
The "might as well" in me wants to install new radiators and new hoses while the coolant system is breached ... do the job once and be done with it ... safety - quality - schedule ?


We also use "might as well" but it usually starts with "while you're there..."
 
Doug stopped by and put finger prints all over my DRZ.
He kept saying "So that's what a stocker looks like!"

He brought party favors and spent a lot of my money ...

Eric, I have an MSR shifter on it. Doesn't look like a stock unit.
 
Eric, I have an MSR shifter on it. Doesn't look like a stock unit.

Steel one or Aluminum?
A: Make sure the back side is rounded over.
B: Make sure the lever is clamped tight on the shift shaft. all too often that clamp point is loose when I check, the steel after market shift levers left loose often damage the shift shaft to the point of needing replaced. I often find the clamp bolt tight, but the lever loose on the shaft.. requiring removal of the fastener and lever, then back cutting the gap larger so when installed the lever can be properly tightened on the shift shaft.

I use a cut off wheel in an air cut off tool to do that quickly.

If you find the bolt tight but level loose on the shaft take a very close look at the splines, both on shifter and shift shaft for wear. If they are rounded over, worn down..Save yourself the headaches later and just replace both in the comfort of your garage on your time line, vice trying to figure out how to get off the trail or home with no working shifter.
 
Steel.

Also, the dipstick is gone.
I've ordered a replacement.
But do you think that:

a. it won't be an issue if it is in the reservoir

b. might come out when I pull the screen
 
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