Finally got a chance to dig into the DR350

Bowtie76 · 06-16-2010, 06:38 PM

So I have a 94 DR250SE that runs great. But I'm 230# and allways on the lookout for a 350 engine to drop into the 250 frame. So I found a motor that I was told needs work, but it was a kickstart and Cheap $30. So I figured worst case I would just add the kick start to the 250 and be happy. Anyway I opened up the 350 today and the cam and bearing surfaces in the head are in bad shape (see pics). So my question is, is this fixable (cheap) can I get the journals machined and drop in a new cam, or should I just swap the kickstart and be done with it.

I'm a shade tree mechanic so anything past adjusting the valves is new to me but I'm pretty handy and it's kind of fun learning.

What should I do?

truck6driver · 06-16-2010, 07:42 PM

Cheaper to find a good head on E-Bay or Craigslist than to pay the $$$ for a machine shop service.
As for the swap..." There is no replacement for displacement " Put the 350 engine in it, you will enjoy the extra torque it has.

Ray

Bowtie76 · 06-17-2010, 02:07 PM

Yeah Heads seem to run +200 on ebay.

I was hoping it was as easy as machining the journals to a + size and adding spacers or something. I'll keep looking.

I'm planning on pulling the heads tonight and filling the chamber with gas to see if the valves are seating well before I go any farther.

HBN · 06-17-2010, 08:25 PM

Contact Skippii. He still has most of his DR350. He texted me earlier asking for your number but I don't have it. Best of luck...

Bowtie76 · 06-18-2010, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HBurgNinja

Contact Skippii. He still has most of his DR350. He texted me earlier asking for your number but I don't have it. Best of luck...

This is the most of skippies 350

It's going to be my project while I'm home on paterinty leave (if the baby ever decided to make an arrival). I'll drop skippii a line.

BikePilot · 06-20-2010, 08:28 AM

The head isn't made to use a bearing, the cam runs straight on the aluminum. The standard way of fixing it would be to weld it up and grind it back to stock specs (same for the cam, though buying another cam would probably be cheaper). It looks like the rockers are also shot.

It might be cheaper to sell the 250 and buy a 350. I doubt the difference in prices are all that great on the used market.

Another option is the 346cc big-bore kit for the 250. Its supposed to work really well and be a bit more revvy than the stock DR350 (bigger bore, shorter stroke, more compression, higher rev limit, more ignition advance).

06-16-2010, 06:38 PM	#1
Bowtie76 ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jan 2007 Location: Charlottesville Oddometer: 297	Finally got a chance to dig into the DR350 So I have a 94 DR250SE that runs great. But I'm 230# and allways on the lookout for a 350 engine to drop into the 250 frame. So I found a motor that I was told needs work, but it was a kickstart and Cheap $30. So I figured worst case I would just add the kick start to the 250 and be happy. Anyway I opened up the 350 today and the cam and bearing surfaces in the head are in bad shape (see pics). So my question is, is this fixable (cheap) can I get the journals machined and drop in a new cam, or should I just swap the kickstart and be done with it. I'm a shade tree mechanic so anything past adjusting the valves is new to me but I'm pretty handy and it's kind of fun learning. What should I do? Attached Images

06-17-2010, 08:25 PM	#4
HBN plays in traffic Joined: Jun 2008 Location: Arlington, VA Oddometer: 10,959	Contact Skippii. He still has most of his DR350. He texted me earlier asking for your number but I don't have it. Best of luck... __________________ Only those that go would know. - WayneJ 2001 R1150GS - 1976 R75/6 - 1975 XL250 HBurgNinja - The Thread \| HBN Boondocking the Nation \| Beards to Canada

06-20-2010, 08:28 AM	#6
BikePilot Beastly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2005 Location: Tampa Oddometer: 10,901	The head isn't made to use a bearing, the cam runs straight on the aluminum. The standard way of fixing it would be to weld it up and grind it back to stock specs (same for the cam, though buying another cam would probably be cheaper). It looks like the rockers are also shot. It might be cheaper to sell the 250 and buy a 350. I doubt the difference in prices are all that great on the used market. Another option is the 346cc big-bore kit for the 250. Its supposed to work really well and be a bit more revvy than the stock DR350 (bigger bore, shorter stroke, more compression, higher rev limit, more ignition advance). __________________ '09 Buell XB12XT, TL1000S, H1F, M620, CR250R, DR250SE, XR650R, Cota 315R Summer 2009 Ride Report http://advrider.com/forums/showthrea...1509c&t=507038 Summer 2008 RR. http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=367703

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06-16-2010, 07:42 PM	#2
truck6driver The Fireman Joined: Sep 2007 Location: Hope Mills, N.C. Oddometer: 5,794	Cheaper to find a good head on E-Bay or Craigslist than to pay the $$$ for a machine shop service. As for the swap..." There is no replacement for displacement " Put the 350 engine in it, you will enjoy the extra torque it has. Ray

06-17-2010, 02:07 PM	#3
Bowtie76 ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jan 2007 Location: Charlottesville Oddometer: 297	Yeah Heads seem to run +200 on ebay. I was hoping it was as easy as machining the journals to a + size and adding spacers or something. I'll keep looking. I'm planning on pulling the heads tonight and filling the chamber with gas to see if the valves are seating well before I go any farther.