Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear?
Another RTW DRZ Prep Another RTW DRZ Prep
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? Anything to do with the bikes equipment, saddlebags, etc. Questions on repairs and maintenance of the bike itself belong in the Brand Specific Tech Forums.
Photo by Ellen Delis, Lagunas Ojos del Campo, Antofalla, Catamarca

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Ellen Delis,
Lagunas Ojos del Campo,
Antofalla, Catamarca



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 30 Mar 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 4
Another RTW DRZ Prep
Several years ago my wife and I decided to do a long trip. We have chosen to ride two DRZ 400s because of their versatility, simplicity and blendability. We have been picking away at the modifications and decided it was time to document the changes. My wife is 5'4", so our first task was to lower her bike. It was not a modification for the faint of heart because it meant chopping the frame in several places to achieve maximum lowering of the seat height. I calculated it out, drafted the parts on my CAD program, ordered aluminum and machined them. I sliced and diced the frame, welded the new pieces in and the subframe was lowered 1.5 inches.
A set of lowering links brought the frame down another inch plus. I sent the forks to Factory Connection to be dialed in for her weight including fuel, panniers, frame and gear. While there, they lowered the forks another inch. After all of these modifications, the bike is still very good travel but is about 4 inches lower allowing her toes to touch the ground. I will be adding more modifications as I go.
(Right now I am working on new panniers and their frames!)

Another RTW DRZ Prep-frame-one-modification-low-res.jpg Another RTW DRZ Prep-frame-two-modification-low-res.jpg Another RTW DRZ Prep-frame-three-modification-low-res.jpg

Darrin & Melissa
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 3 Apr 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 4
Fabricating the Pannier Frame
The idea was to fabricate a “free-standing” pannier frame in the 10 – 12 pound range. The thought was to have the load of the boxes being carried by a lower cross member “shelf” of the pannier frame and to keep the rear sub-frame out of the mix as much as possible (and keep the weight around 10 pounds!) I chose chromoly tubing due to the high strength to weight ratio and that it can easily be welded with a simple oxy-acetylene system.


Another RTW DRZ Prep-frame-in-process-low-res.jpg
Tubes fish mouthed and cut to length.

Another RTW DRZ Prep-frame-complete-low-res.jpg
Completed stand alone frame weighing in at 11 pounds.

Name: Frame Install - low res.jpg Views: 432 Size: 35.4 KB
The complete frame drops into place on the bike.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 3 Apr 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 4
Attaching the Pannier Frame to the Bike
I designed the frame to bring the force of the load down the lowest point on the bikes frame by designing a new swing arm bolt with attachment bosses. The swing arm bolt was sent for Birdsongs Black-T Teflon coating. Between the Teflon and the grease fittings for the rear swing arm the bolt should not freeze in place between maintenance.

Another RTW DRZ Prep-swing-arm-low-res.jpg

Another RTW DRZ Prep-lower-attach-low-res.jpg

The load was brought to the highest point on the main frame by clamping as shown in the photos.

Name: Upper Attach - low res.jpg Views: 249 Size: 128.6 KB

I added a center load point attachment as shown.

Name: Mid Attach - low res.jpg Views: 344 Size: 130.4 KB

This design worked well because I only had to drill one hole on each side of the frame to attach it. The rest is attached through the swing arm bolt and clamping to the upper part of the frame.

Another RTW DRZ Prep-frame-attached-low-res.jpg
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 15 May 2013
Steve Pickford's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Oxford, UK
Posts: 994
The rack look over complicated, one of the downsides of your design is that to work on the bike i.e. something simple like accessing the side mounted battery, you need to remove all of the luggage and the rack. I prepped a DRZ 3 years ago for a South America trip and made the racks in 3 parts (2 sides and a top) that bolted together, avoiding the need for full luggage removal.

One other point, your racks are quite large and mounted low down, I'd be concerned that on the lowered bike there's the possibility of the luggage and/or rack getting grounded when the bike's in a rut or similar.

Have you read this thread:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...age-rack-38462
__________________
My photos: www.possu.smugmug.com
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 15 Jun 2013
Oo-SEB-oO's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Canary Islands
Posts: 291
I share a bit of Steve's concerns, but it's your bike and your adventure, if you think this is the way to do it, then go for it!

I just bought an S subframe to put under my E model, then the original Suzuki side rack and then Magadan sofbags. Way "easier" than you r whole construction, but then I can't weld... ;-)

Please, do bear in mind that the less is better on a DRZ andtry to ride as much off road as you can with them as they are not nice bikes on tarmac...!

Currently EU to Mongolia and beyond on 2 DRZ400E...
__________________
Find us on Facebook or have a look at our website on wanderingsouls.be.
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Siberia/Mongolia Road conditions July/August, lighter v. heavy bike, Transalp v. DRZ? chris Northern and Central Asia 7 23 Jul 2013 12:46
DRZ vs TENERE vs GS... HELP PLS!!! Oo-SEB-oO Which Bike? 15 21 May 2013 10:04
DRZ 400 E service videos MuddySump Suzuki Tech 5 8 Apr 2013 19:14

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 12:12.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top