I sold the Husqvarna 570SMR as soon as it was registered. I never got to spend time getting to enjoy it on the street. This left me looking for other motard bikes I could use for another project. I discovered there were no more cheap ones, regardless of condition. Conversion kits for dirt bikes are available, but wheel packages are $1200-$1500AUD. It got me thinking about lacing the stock hubs myself.

I discussed this with the guy who supplies spokes for my father’s British bike collection. He said he could shorten and re-thread the dirt bike spokes for a motard rim.

I test rode a couple of Yamaha YZ450F’s and a Husqvarna TC450. Both great bikes, but having spent some time on DRZ 400’s, I decided I needed the bulletproof Suzuki.

Found this one on Facebook Marketplace for the right price. It’s an ex military bike, so the initial servicing should have been good. They also come with a few extra goodies like thermo fans on radiator, 16 litre tank.

So it begins

I bought a cheap electronic speedo but I’m trying to source a drive unit from a DRZ SM so I can keep OEM clocks.

Update on speedo. I managed to source a DRZ400SM speedo drive. It’s the pickup on the front axle. The SM part is geared for a 17” wheel. I means I can keep the standard speedo.

While waiting for rims and spokes I thought I’d tidy up the exhaust.