Recycling: Converting a 400 Single Cylinder into a 4 Inch Barrel

It had been a long time since I watched one of my bikes leave my driveway for good but a few days ago Claudia, my beloved DRZ when to a new home.

I bought Claudia a couple of years ago from a guy who put a whopping 5,000 miles on her before he upgraded to a BMW.  She had been meticulously taken care of and she was in stock condition.  Of course, I could barely get the toes on one foot to reach the ground so I did some modifications, lowering links (I know... I am shamed), shaved the seat, handlebar risers... And when it was all said and done, I could get the toes down.  

We had enjoyed more amazing rides together than I ever could have imagined; trips to Laguna, the solo rides, the time when I asked my friend to take me up some fire roads and instead we wound up at an Off-Road Vehicle area on 80% street tires after which time he reassured me I would be fine... even though time and time again I fell over... repeatedly; with the exception of the moment when I followed him up one side of a hill and found myself confronted with only one option: riding her down a 6 story hill trying to avoid falling into the rut on the center line, and chanting "shit, shit, shit" repeatedly in my helmet all the way down as my heart pounded and I was certain that at any moment the front wheel would grab and I would go toppling ass-over-tit down the hill with a bunch of experienced dirt riders (probably total hotties too knowing my luck) held up behind me, watching in amusement the carnage of some chick in street gear wiping out before their very eyes.  That didn't happen though, and I still find that to be one of my favorite experiences on two wheels, just for the sheer amusement value of it.

DRZ's are such great bikes.  For a 400 single, it had quite a bit of stamina, even though I probably rode it harder than it could handle ( and by "probably" I mean... "definitely").  Even though they aren't the full super-moto, they are agile enough to go where you wanna go without much fuss; unless you're wanting to go down a freeway at 100 mph.  But really, who can complain about that.  This is the bike that introduced me to how much more fun and effortless it can be to ride a bike that is flickable, spunky, and light to the point where even on asphalt the pegs are delicately lingering within an inch or so from the asphalt if you're really on it in the corner. Although, the Avon Destanzias are great tires and I have to give them quite a bit of credit when it comes to asphalt prowess. Still, I am not surprised that she sold as quickly as she did.

I put the DRZ up on Craigslist and almost immediately I had 7 total inquiries, most of them serious.  At one point I received an email from a guy who offered to pick it up right then and there for my full asking price, but seeing as how it was 9:30 at night after a pretty eventful day at work, I wasn't really feeling like entertaining so we arranged for him to come get the bike the next day. The next day, after a few text messages regarding the details of the bike, he called to say he was on his way: "Yeah hi, I've been talking to a guy about a DRZ?" he says shortly after I answered his call. 

I cracked a devious smile.  Sometimes I forget about the fact that women riders are still some kind of rare breed in the central cali valley. Never mind the fact that my name is contained in my email and I don't know a lot of guys who go by "Rose."  "No, you've been talking to a chick about a bike and the bike is all ready for you to take home."  I said playfully. There was a pause on the other end, some stammering, another pause and then: "Have you been doing the work on it?"  I was trying very hard to stifle a chuckle.  Before too long he showed up and took the bike home. 

I didn't cry.  I was strong, but I definitely felt my heart grow a little heavy as I boxed up all of her accessories in a rubbermaid bin and carried it over to his truck. As I watched him ratchet the tie down straps, I remembered all of the awesome rides I had taken on that bike.  I could say that I felt regret, but honestly, I really didn't. If anything, there was a small weight lifted from my shoulders that I no longer felt obligated to get her back up to snuff when I had so many other projects going on.  More accurately, what I felt was bittersweet relief.  

I will definitely get another supermoto.  If there is one thing that my little 400 DRZ-S ignited in my soul, it was the experience of riding a bike that is light, agile, and torquey on the street.  If nothing else, it ignited my inner hooligan, and reassured the gypsy in me that my long distance travels and wanderlust could be carried out with a lot less lower back pain than I had previously experienced in doing it on a sportbike.  I will miss my mighty DRZ, but all is not lost.  A chunk of the proceeds from her sale went toward one of my newer hobbies: shooting.

Farewell Claudia DRZ, Hellllllo Claudia Springfield... XD-S 9...