DR BIG repairs

[statik]

I recently changed the headraces in my 1989 Suzuki DR750 BIG.  The guy I bought it from gave me the new bearing set and after a short ride it was obvious why.  It was a simple job and went about as well as any others I done. 

There was plenty of grease, no dirt or rust and the old parts were of normal Suzuki quality.  What did shock me is the state of the old bottom bearing.  It has more bumps than a map of Switzerland.  I checked the frame for damage and alinement.  I even checked if the housing was perfectly round. 

This bike has done 42000 km and looks like it's had a pretty easy life.  Any ideas?  It may be one of those bikes that need new bearing more often than others. 

[R]

If the adjustment wasn't kept up or was slightly loose at any point, or not kept greased, the races soon get hammered.
Didn't have any Morocco or Marakesh stickers on it did it ?

Wheelstands don't help either.  Did the front tyre look unused ?!!

[statik]

No everything is normal.  In fact it's all in very good condition and the tyre has normal amount of wear compaired to the back. 

The clutch was slipping and I was given a box of replacement parts.  The head races and a new set of clutch plates.  When I took the old plates out everything was very clean, almost too clean I'm used to a black mess.  Just wiped it out with a clean rag and put in the new plates. The photo is before I cleaned it. 

[R]

Sounds like the previous owner was into these then, cleaned it /greased it, and found it didn't help, so bought new parts. 
Pretty good I'd say, far better than finding a mess that needs major work.

[statik]

Didn't come from Morocco or Marakesh but it did start life in Italy.  It was imported in 2000 and been here ever since.

I think you're right he is into dirt bikes.  He had plans to strip it down and make another desert replica but I told him that if he wanted a one-off it would be better to leave it standard because everyone chopped them up.  He was in the process of shutting down his company and this was going to the auction so I gave him a reasonable offer and he accepted.  Saved him doing the repairs and taking it to Peterborough. 

It's a really nice bike to ride.  Like an old bike there is a lot to do when you drive one and it keeps you involved.  It could do with a smaller gearbox sprocket but I don't intend to use it off road so I'll leave that. 

I think you're right about the head races being too loose.  The vibration could cause the castleing in the bottom bearing.  Thanks for that I'll keep an eye on the adjustment. 

[statik]

Been looking for standard parts and found a new fork cover in the Suzuki wrapping paper for less than £20.00.  It came from a shop in Israel.  Brings a new meaning to the phrase "shopping arround".  It is a desert bike after all.

[statik]

I just love to ride this old bike.  It doesn't matter how bad the road is it just glides along with a gentle throb from the big single.