DRZ400E to DRZ400SM wheel conversion

[zanerica]

I have a 2001 DRZ400E that I am thinking about buying a set of Excel SM wheels off a 2006 DRZ400SM bike. I believe you have to do more than just swap the wheels, right? Can someone tell me what all needs to be changed to make this swap work? Thank you!

[GuzziMoto]

The wheels are a direct swap,the stock spacers and all. It gets a little complicated when it comes to discs and sprockets. The discs and sprockets also bolt up to the wheels, but the SM discs are the wrong size so you need to run stock disc sizes (common with the rear) or switch to a aftermarket oversize rotor (usually a 320 for the front). As for sprockets, You need to remember that the smaller overall diameter of the SM wheel and tire will require a smaller sprocket to maintain the same overall gear ratio. Stock SM rear sprocket is a 41 and that gives a ratio close to the 44 on a dirt wheel gives.

Easy swap.

[kc_450_X]

I don't want to hijack.... But.... Can the drz400sm take dirt bike tires? Im thinking about getting a new bike and I like the fact the drz400sm come with inverted forks.

[GuzziMoto]

Yes, but you end up with a rear knobby on the front (130-17 I think). Kind of gives it a TW 200 stance.

[DRZ400Senior]

Yes, but you end up with a rear knobby on the front (130-17 I think). Kind of gives it a TW 200 stance.

The front is 120 stock so you could run a narrower 120/17 in the front...if the size is made.

[kc_450_X]

So you can't change the rime size. Like 21" front 18" rear.

[ptgarcia]

The best way is to have a set of dirt wheels and tires with rotors and sprocket on hand to swap. Can go from street to dirt in 30 minutes. Just make sure you use SM rotors on the dirt wheels.

[pgodrow]

2 cents... i've looked into all the rim changing, not wanting to go 21, 18 do to highth of the bike. 19" front, 17 rear... not that much diff. cost more to set up a 19" rim then its worth. BUT i did see a FRONT 70/100 r17 DOT rated tire... but that should only be about 3" wide, the front SM rim is 3.5" would that not work? pimp my SM?

[ptgarcia]

I wouldn't do it. You'd normally run that tire on a 1.65" wide wheel, not a 3.5" wide SM wheel.

[pgodrow]

thats what i thought, but i thought it was cool to find a FRONT 17". is it a noticable diff ride if you run a rear tire on the front?

[GuzziMoto]

As mentioned, the best way is to go to dirt size wheels (18" rear/ 21" front). If you want to do it cheaper, you can fit knobbies on the stock 17" SM wheels but you end up with a 140-17 on the rear and a 130-17 on the front. A 70/100-17 is too narrow and will not work right.

If you only do light duty offroad riding you may be perfectly happy with tires like the Pirelli MT60R or even Distanzias.

[zanerica]

Thanks for the advice on swapping my 2001 DRZ400E dirt wheels for supermoto wheels of a 2006 DRZ400SM. I bought the SM wheels and swapped them out yesterday. The changes I had to make were as follows:

*I did have to use the rotors from my E wheels to work with the SM wheels.

*I had to re-route the front brake line from inside of the fork to the outside of the fork or the front tire would rub or come very close to rubbing on the line.

*Even with the front wheel straight in the forks, the magnetic sensor for the aftermarket speedometer (takes the place of one of the rotor bolts; larger bolt than the stock bolts) barely misses hitting the inside of the fork.

*The back wheel even when straight in the motorcyle frame, has very little clearance on the right side of the frame in front of the brake caliper; 1/8" at most.

*I had to cut down the kickstand, as the bike sits much lower with the SM wheels.