[RLPII]

I recently purchased a 2007 450X and I am in the process of setting up for me. Can anyone tell me what color the original spring was? This one has a red spring - the the red spring is not stock, does anyone know who makes it? What should the setting be on it?
Thanks in advance!
Bob
(by the way, I was on this board for many years when I had my 2005 450X, but sold it in a weak moment about 3 years ago and I am just getting back - so expect some questions as I try to retrain myself!

[JimDirt]

Welcome back , I remember seeing your sig picture before , back when I was still new ... ish

Yellow would be the stock color , so Red I am guessing would be Diverse (usually found on EBay) , as I believe Factory Connection uses Yellow as well (at least the ones I have) , but Race Tech also tends to color their springs , , but they are usually Blue , as are Eibach for the most part

So to somewhat answer , I would say Diverse would be the most likely suspect ,,,, What rate it is , is not always color coordinated , you can have several different rates that are the same color , usually there is a stamped rate on the springs , sometimes , they scribe them on the face (where the spring sits)

Not really a defined color per rate , so its kind of a crapshoot unless you can figure out the manufacturer , then they might be able to give you spring diameter measurements to determine rate , so try to look for a identifying mark/insignia that will at least give you a manufacturer name .... you can narrow it down from there


With that said ......... If you check your sag numbers , that will give you a good indication as to whether it is too stiff or soft for your weight , so check free sag and rider sag , that should tell you where you are at .... Stock would be a 5.5 rate good for about 150-180 in weight , then you will start drifting off your sag settings for every few lbs more/less than that range , and need a stiffer or softer spring .... That way , you will know whether you need to worry about buying a new one or not , The Honda Owners manual gives the spring length numbers you need to be at , if the spring length is within that range and your sag numbers are where they should be the spring will work . and that will also give you a somewhat indication of the approximate rate .....

[RLPII]

Hi Jim,
Thanks for the welcome back and I too remember your name
I do remember them being yellow and I looked online regarding the Diverse springs and it certainly looks similar, but not much info on them. Their webpage only shows springs for the 450R for that year anyway. The PO was the second owner and he said it came that way and was told it was basically set up for a 200+ lb rider (which I would qualify). I will set the SAG on it and go from there.
Thanks for all the info!
Take Care,
Bob

[Back2-2]

Hey Bob !
Wow - great to hear from you! Miss ya man!

I got your PM and will send response when I have a bit of time to fill you in.
Your in for a big surprise.

Glad to hear from you -

You need to post a pic of the new ride.
You know that the '07 is not as fast as the '06 [ like mine] which is faster than the '05 you had.

[RLPII]

Neil,
I am still working on getting it "ready to ride".........when I bought the new(er) one, I told the guy that this was just the "Down Payment" on all the accessories I would need to buy! I lost your email address when my computer puked, so send me a PM with your email..........Looking forward to hearing your "surprise".

Hope to get out for a ride in a couple of weeks......my sister is coming for a visit tomorrow for a week..........
Take Care!

[JimDirt]

Hi Jim,
Thanks for the welcome back and I too remember your name
I do remember them being yellow and I looked online regarding the Diverse springs and it certainly looks similar, but not much info on them. Their webpage only shows springs for the 450R for that year anyway. The PO was the second owner and he said it came that way and was told it was basically set up for a 200+ lb rider (which I would qualify). I will set the SAG on it and go from there.
Thanks for all the info!
Take Care,
Bob

I would think you would be happy with a 5.7 or 5.8 shock spring (stock is 5.5) , hopefully that red one falls into that range ...... I would say 0.48 for forks , as that will keep the bike up in the stroke more and give a plusher ride , don't forget when you off road ride you are usually sporting a backpack of some sort , so usually add a extra 10 lbs to your weight needs to be compensated for , so wear it when setting/checking sag ....

I am about 195 , I use 0.48 forks , 5.8 on my R , I use 0.52 fork and 5.5 on my X (the shock is a bit soft on my X , but I am not jumping anything with it , so I am not as worried about it as I am my R) , when I was about 210-215 I ran 0.50 fork and 5.8 shock on my R .... and had the 5.8 on my X , just for reference , though both bikes are revalved , I did a Endurocross setup on my X (using Gold Valves) , it took me several times to get my R where I wanted it because of a bad wrist injury , but my point was , springs keep the bike up in the stroke , and help with harshness , valving works with skill/terrain for plushness , springs are for rider weight and to some degree , skill , valving is for how it feels when you hit obstacles , but if the sag numbers are off , then it affects the others working correctly

[RLPII]

Hey Jim,
It will be a while before I get that granular I am sure. I am nearly 70 years old now and my days of saying "Watch This!" are way behind me, if you know what I mean. But, with that being said, I do want to set the bike up and get back into riding shape that that I can have a safe and reasonably comfortable ride.
I do appreciate all your help and suggestions.....I am going to start by setting the spring to 10.18 inches - it is about 9.70 right now. I am also considering lowering the bike so that my toes at least touch the ground I have got to take it slow and see where I go. Trying to get it back to close to stock so I can adjust from there.
Thanks again,
Bob

[JimDirt]

Hey Jim,
It will be a while before I get that granular I am sure. I am nearly 70 years old now and my days of saying "Watch This!" are way behind me, if you know what I mean. But, with that being said, I do want to set the bike up and get back into riding shape that that I can have a safe and reasonably comfortable ride.
I do appreciate all your help and suggestions.....I am going to start by setting the spring to 10.18 inches - it is about 9.70 right now. I am also considering lowering the bike so that my toes at least touch the ground I have got to take it slow and see where I go. Trying to get it back to close to stock so I can adjust from there.
Thanks again,
Bob

Hey , I will be 60 in 2 months , and I almost lost my left hand , which was because I said ... "Hey watch this! " , while practicing for a Old Timers race in Boise , then while in therapy for my wrist I had a heart attack and still have 1 blocked artery ,they then found a thing in my lung and had 1/3rd of my right lung removed because of cancer (all within the same year *2016-17*) , and I still ride MX , and trail ride (I literally ride every weekend) , I also broke my neck in 09 (C5,6,7 fused) and broke my back 3 times ..... So I don't want to hear any excuses about old riders can't ride because your too "old" and beat up , If I can do it , I am certain you can get out there and rip it up as well .... and my buddy I ride with who is 4 months younger than me is currently going thru 9 weeks of Radiation treatments for Prostate Cancer (he is on week 7 today) and we ride at the MX track every weekend (Sat/Sun)

As far as lowering the bike , I put a 1.75 (CRF3) Kouba Link on my X and it made a huge difference in touching the ground , just have to set the sag at 80 mm instead of 100mm , and raised the forks in the clamps about 6mm , with that , it really made it easier to plant a foot on single track ..... kick stand still works fine with that , so no worries about the bike tipping over ..... But it made a huge difference in feeling stable when stopping , no more tip toes with 1 foot , both feet touch now ......

[RLPII]

Wow, your really committed to the sport! I am gonna try - I had a couple of rough years myself (not near what you've been through) but battled prostate cancer, kidney stone yada, yada, yada...... and I think that is what has motivated me to try and ride again! I remember going for a ride down in the north Phoenix area on my 60th birthday - I was so proud of myself! We have a race up here in April called the Virginia City Grand Prix - they actually ride through the town of Virginia City and then out into the foothills and dessert. It is considered to be a pretty tough race but not extreme - lots of rocks and sand! Depending how this summer goes, I might consider entering next year - I think I will be in the GEEZER division! LOL

Good talking to you again -

[JimDirt]

Well , that is cool , yea just getting out and riding , if anything , (as long as you stay off the ground) will keep you going and at least "thinking" you are young again ..... At least till the next morning .....

Yea , I am the oldest of the group I ride with , the youngest is 50 , we do occasionally ride with one guy that is 62 and faster than any of us , he did the Vet Nationals , and did pretty well , he looks younger than I do and is ripped , I rode his 2019 CRF450R and man that bike rips ...... , anyway , Dick Mann (I know him) is a legend in the sport and is 84 and still rides Moto and Trials (old school moto and trials on big twin bikes) , he has a Stoma (tube in the throat) and has to wear a scarf over his throat when he rides (and most of the rest of the time) , he has to eat thru it as well ......so Old is only a number , and you only get old when you stop acting young ...

Dick Mann




Myself and Dick Mann at Clay Peak where I ride , back in 09

[Aussiecrf230]

Hondas and Minis in same set of photos gee this is a good site.

[RLPII]

Hey Jim,
Wow, Dick "Buggsy" Mann - (# 2) He was one of my idols back in the 60's when I was racing amature in SoCal - Dist. 37! Someone told me that he lives up in my neck of the woods and has quite the collection of old race/off road bikes!
I have a friend up here that rides KTM and I love to ride with him - he is an excellent rider and actually raced the Baja Race many years ago. The only problem with riding with him is that I only get to see him for about the first 100 yards and then I just try to keep track of his dust!
Take Care,
NV Bob

[JimDirt]

Hondas and Minis in same set of photos gee this is a good site.

Yea Ray , the Mini and the motorhome in the background belong to Dick and his wife ....

[JimDirt]

Hey Jim,
Wow, Dick "Buggsy" Mann - (# 2) He was one of my idols back in the 60's when I was racing amature in SoCal - Dist. 37! Someone told me that he lives up in my neck of the woods and has quite the collection of old race/off road bikes!
I have a friend up here that rides KTM and I love to ride with him - he is an excellent rider and actually raced the Baja Race many years ago. The only problem with riding with him is that I only get to see him for about the first 100 yards and then I just try to keep track of his dust!
Take Care,
NV Bob

Yea , he is mainly responsible for AHRMA Vintage racing and the old Broome Tioga track (I wish that was still on the schedule) and implementing a lot of stuff in the AMA .... and one of the most down to earth guys you will meet in the motorcycle industry , and it's a understatement by even calling him a Legend .... the guy "is" Moto ...

[RLPII]

Agreed!
How do you quote what I say in your email..........I see the tab to Quote, but can't figure out how to use it....