[dougalthedog]

I think I already know the answer to this question but here goes, the 230 forks are 37mm dia, most decent front forks are 43mm. Is it too risky to machine the stock 230 yokes out to accept a 43mm fork. How much metal do you need to be safe?
I'm waiting for the barrage of "don't do it" but it seems worth asking.
Cheers

[chillyengineer]

Just DONT do it ,ill leave ya in the mud on yer head Get em machined up properly the wall of the yoke will be far too thin ,hey we knew it wasnt going to be that easy ,good luck anyway

[Asmith]

Forks are measured on the diameter of the inner slider. The CRF230 37mm triples actually clamp to the inner slider since they are normal telescopic forks.

The inverted forks clamp to the outer tube, not the inner slider. So a 43mm inverted fork may have a 50mm outer tube that actually gets clamped in the triples.

"Don't do it"...

[dougalthedog]

I'm not using inverted forks.
The actual diameter to be clamped is 43mm.

[Asmith]

I'm not using inverted forks.
The actual diameter to be clamped is 43mm.

My next question would be "why are you replacing crappy forks with larger crappy forks?"

[dougalthedog]

So your'e saying that all non inverted forks are "crappy" ?
Bit of a sweeping statement.

[chillyengineer]

yeah but he has a good point,USD are the way forward ,is this not what you got Tim??

[Asmith]

So your'e saying that all non inverted forks are "crappy" ?
Bit of a sweeping statement.

Yes...that is exactly what I am saying.

Unless they are the newest generation of telescopic forks from an XR650R they aren't worth switching to.

Inverted Showa's are the way to go.

[Aussiecrf230]

Assumes you can get hold of late USD forks at a reasonable price. It can get to a point you bike ends up costing more than you can get out of it.
It is something I have been debating for a while.

I also don't what to end up with a taller bike.

[dougalthedog]

So to be clear, all non inverted forks with the exception of the latest generation of XR650R forks are "crappy".

Heres a couple of extracts from Rick Siemens CRF230 project regarding forks

"After talking with Bruce Ogilvie, the head of Honda's off-road racing team, he suggested that we go with the older style non-cartridge style Honda CR 125 or 250 forks. In particular, he thought the 1985 Honda CR 250 forks were the best of that era"

"When we rode the bike, it was hard to hide the big grin! Those forks worked for us, first time out. All the harshness is gone"

Maybe Bruce Ogilvie ought to be looking over his shoulder - might be someone better qualified to do his job !

I know Rick Siemens eventually used some USD forks but to say all conventional forks are crappy is total rubbish.

Joking aside - to be honest the more I think about the suspension issues on the 230 the more I think that the money would be better spent on buying a better bike.
I bought a 230 for around £1200 and could easily end up spending another £700 on sorting out the suspension. For £1900 I could probably buy a slightly newer CRF250X, WRF250, KTM etc

[chillyengineer]

Ray ,this is exactly mine and Tims concerns you can put alot of $/£ into a bike when it may be wiser to have the suspension shortened professionally to suit you ,ie KTM/Honda 250.also of concern is the new ride height ,we bought these bikes for their low ride height ,so to destroy that would remove alot of riding confidance......saying that im still going ahead to fit CR125 front end next month,for the armchair like ride it will give

[Asmith]

I know Rick Siemens eventually used some USD forks but to say all conventional forks are crappy is total rubbish.

Sorry I hurt your feelings...

[Asmith]

Here's a few pics of the CRF230F we built with inverted Showas. I think we had about $400-$500 into the conversion when all was said and done.

[dougalthedog]

Hey ~

You didn't hurt my feelings.

Just thought is was a bit of a sweeping statement that could mislead a lot of people into thinking that USD is the only option, which it obviously isn't.

Anyway I'll carry on with my 43mm conventional forks and compare them to chillyengineers USD when we've both done the mods and let you know how we get on.

I still cant believe no one has tried a rear shock from another bike.I really cant justify the $600 + customs + import duty + carriage to the UK.

Cheers

[Asmith]

Many people have modded the CR85 rear shock to work on the CRF230F.

Reger charges $ 100 to mod it to fit the CRF150F. It can be modded the same way to fit the CRF230F as well. It just needs a longer bottom clevis.

You also have to bump up the spring to a 6.5 to 6.7kg/mm to work with the added weight.