Hey guys. I know this is a really dumb question and I am pretty sure I posted it in the wrong forum, but what are the four coil looking things in this picture and what should I do if one is loose (wiggling)? I should also note that I have not had the bike running yet, so I am not sure what impact this is having on the ability of the bike to run.

I was told it was a valve in need of adjusting so I read a bunch of stuff online today about adjusting valves and shimming and cam shafts and heads but could find nothing specific to a DR350 and I think ended up even more confused than before. I just ordered the 1994 Suzuki DR350S manual but it hasn't gotten here yet so I figured I'd ask you guys while I am waiting.

I am a pretty new rider and I picked this bike up cheap so I could street ride with it this spring and summer. It is in need of a little work and I have been working on it this winter. I just have no idea how to handle this problem. I appreciate your help.

This is a pic I found on google, not one I took, but it is from the bike I have.

Thanks!

Those are the valve springs. Depending on how easily they 'wiggle' you may or may not have a problem.

And you are correct. You have posted this in the wrong forum. It will probably be moved to the Suzuki DRZ forum.

Thanks a bunch, 2grimjim! Hopefully I won't have a problem and won't have to mess with it. For now, I am just going to try to get it running first, then determine if it needs addressed.

If it's a DR, this is the right forum. You can adjust valve clearance without removing the head, but at least now you know the cam bearings are good. I have seen more than one DR350 with shot cam bearings.

You need to put the head cover back on to adjust your valve clearance. You have to set the engine to tdc in the compression stroke. Then measure the clearance between the rocker arm and the valve head. Without the rocker arms in place you can't figure out anything. I would wait until you have a manual in hand before you get too much farther along as it's pretty easy to do more harm than good.