[0neoldfart]

First off, great website! But, I've a question for all of you CRF230 owners out there: I purchased a new 230F for my wife, who is slightly "vertically challenged" at 5'2" tall. I've ordered the Works Performance rear shock for it, and have been swayed into adding 43mm forks from a CR125 to this machine (Rick Sieman has a great article on making this playbike an awesome machine). In any case, for those who have done these modifications, what did you end up with for a seat height? I can use the Kouba link to lower the rear, but can only raise the forks 1.75" in the clamps based on the information I have. I don't want to build a chopper, either, just a playbike that can be pushed hard and doesn't need to have the top end rebuilt every 15 hrs. Thanks in advance!

[0neoldfart]

Well, after a little tinkering and a few dollars spent - my wife's CRF230 is ready to go! Thanks to Ken at CRF's only for his help, as well as a special thank you to Rick Sieman for his insight as well. I ended up using the CR125 forks, triple tree and clamps, and had the steering stem machined shorter to make up for the extra length. The kouba lowering link teamed with the works shock has made this bike rock - I would not hesitate to ride it hard - it is very plush, handles great, and most importantly, my wife can now reach the ground. If anyone is thinking of this mod - drop me a line - I may be able to help you with a few tips and tricks I learned while building the bike.

[Eric Oliver]

I am dying to do the same mods.Where did you find the parts? I am 5'10 and 190 lbs and like the stock seat height,Does it change when you do this ? Thanks

[Old Dude]

0neoldfart,
When you say you had the steering stem shortened what exactly did that entail? Were you able to use the same bearings and races or did you use the Super Hunky (Sieman) approach by machining the races from the 125? I have gleaned a lot of info from a couple of knowledgable guys on Thumper Talk regarding these conversions and one of the things that they agree on is that you will have to shorten the forks.
I am currently in the process of converting my 230 with CR250 forks and converting the rear drum to a disc set up. I am hoplng to post a pictorial 'how to' for those who may be interested.
Eric Oliver Ebay was my source for the parts. Be sure to do your homework as to what is and is not interchangable and expect to buy something that you think is a good deal only to find it cheaper somewhere else. The solution there is, buy it if it's a good deal then quit lookin. I also found that the 'BUY IT NOW' process usually ends up cheaper than getting into a bidding war with somebody.
What I got off of ebay:
Forks, triple clamps & fat bar mount.............. $199.00
Front wheel (near new) w/disc and tire...........149.00
Front caliper (new)............................................45.00
Front axle (new) w/spacers...............................25.00
There is some dicussion on TT as to what rear shocks will interchange. If you go there to do research, wade through the BS and you will get some good info. Most agree that the Works Performance shock, expensive as it is, is the best bet. I am very pleased with mine.
If you are interested in the rear disc conversion:
Again ebay:
CRF450X R wheel/disc/sprocket/tire
(new new).................................................... $225.00
CRF450X R Caliper/master cylinder/
brake line (new)...............................99.00
I pirated the floating disc tab that mounts on the swingarm and the bracket for the master cylinder off of a '98 CR80.
I modified the 450 rear axle and the 230 swingarm to accept it.
You will need a machine shop and someone to weld the aluminum swingarm and the steel frame. I am very fortunate to have these resources readily available.
Now, if I could just find the time.........ebay? I am having both knees replaced next week so should have some time to dedicate to the project while I rehab.
Hope to have it all together for a fall ride.
Why? You ask, do I spend this kind of money on a 230? Well, I already have a really bitchin 250X so why not have a really bitchin 230? Besides these are the things that Old Dudes do and the things young kids wish they could.
O.D.

[Hondacrazi]

Did you have to do anything to the trippleclamp for it to fit on the 230 from the 250 or is it just a straight bolt on?

[Old Dude]

Hondacrazi,
The 250 triple clamp does not bolt right up. The 250 stem has to be shortened and then new bearing races have to be machined to fit the 230 steer tube. What I did was to remove the 230 stem from the 230 lower triple (it is welded in so you have it machined out or carefully grind down the weld to remove it). I then used a spare 250 stem and made a sleeve. My neighbor has a milling machine and lathe in his garage so the cost to me was nothing. I could not tell you what the cost of having it done by a machine shop would be. I will try to post a couple of pictures of the modified stem. Also if you use the 230 stem you will have to sleeve the upper clamp to fit the smaller diameter 230 stem. The 230 stem, in my mind, was a no brainer. It actually had to be lengthened about 3/8 of an inch to accomodate the thicker 250 lower clamp but that was accomplished with the lower sleeve. An additional beni of using the 230 stem is that you use the OEM 230 bearings and races. There are several guys who have done the conversion over at Thumper Talk using the 250 stem. You might want to do some research over there if you want to go with the 250 stem.
O.D.

[Old Dude]

Hondacrazi,
Well so much for the picture attachment. If you wanna see the pix I guess you'll have to email me. I know I have the technology to perform that task! [email protected]
O.D.

[Old Dude]

[img]IMG]http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h248/crfolddude/230%20stem/DSC02874.jpg[/img][/img]
[img]IMG]http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h248/crfolddude/230%20stem/DSC02884.jpg[/img][/img][url]
[img]IMG]
IMG]http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h248/crfolddude/230%20stem/DSC02873.jpg[/IMG][/img]
Let's see if that worked....[/url]

[Old Dude]

[IMG]
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h248/ ... C02873.jpg[/img]
Let's see if that worked...

[aaat doc]

are the cr125 forks longer than the stock crf230 forks?
i am trying to lower my wife's bike also and want to replace the front fork suspension - will have to slide the front forks up as much as feasible through the triple clamps already - are the cr125 forks much longer and therefore i lose the 1" i gained on the stock fork set up by raising the forks through the triple clamp.