Crf230 suspension bottoming out
  • Parfetto99
    Posts: 12
    Joined: Sat Jun 04, 2011 9:52 am

    Crf230 suspension bottoming out

    by Parfetto99 » Sat Jun 04, 2011 9:57 am

    Hello has any1 tryed just adding more oil to forks or changing oil to improve this or did u upgrade springs or even change forks???
  • Old Dude
    Posts: 828
    Joined: Tue Jul 19, 2005 11:34 am

    by Old Dude » Sat Jun 04, 2011 12:06 pm

    welcome to the CRFsOnly family.
    The 230 suspension has been discussed at length, regretably not as much on this site as others, and sadly there is no simple fix. Yes adding a little more oil will help with bottoming. Increasing the wt of the oil (thicker oil) will also help. BBR HD springs are also available. BUT when you goof with compression (with oil and springs) you also change rebound. Fine tuning compression and rebound on these forks is a nightmare. The only real fix is to swap the forks for better forks or rebuild them with a system that addresses both their poor dampening and compression. .
    I did a fork swap CR250 USD (upside down) forks. An outstanding upgrade but expensive and not as simple as it sounds. Some have swapped the 230 forks for CR85 of CRF150F. This option is also relatively pricey but a big improvement. XR250 forks, similar to the 230 conventional fork configuration, have also been swapped with good result but availability can be an issue. RaceTech makes a fork rebuild kit for the 230 that has been given excellent reviews. Called Emulators, they address all aspects of the 230s OEM poor performance and they are reasonably priced for the improved fork performance.
    Know that when you fix the forks you magnify the weak rear shock performance. I opted for the expensive Works Performance fully adjustable unit. Loved it. Others have had John Hliebo revalve their 230 shock and love it. The cost is reported to be about $200.00 compared to $500.00 for the Works.
    Alot depends on how much money you want/have to spend and what type of riding you do. Based on my research it appears that the RaceTech Emulators and the Hliebo rear shock rebuild is the best cost to benefit option. Good luck and again welcome aboard.
    O.D.
    '06 250X: http://crfsonly.com/forum/garage.php?mo ... le&CID=386
    '03 CRF230
    '04 CRF230
    '08 750 Shadow Spirit
    '01 Polaris Sportsman 600
    '03 CRF50
    '04 KLX110
    Kazuma Falcon90
  • Parfetto99
    Posts: 12
    Joined: Sat Jun 04, 2011 9:52 am

    by Parfetto99 » Sat Jun 04, 2011 1:54 pm

    Wow wicked amount of knowledge there much appreciated i read the reviews before i bought bike but was best allrounder i thought seat height elec start!! Now it seems ill need to invest more cash ill check ebay! thanks again..
  • dsrpilot
    Posts: 251
    Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2009 10:12 am

    by dsrpilot » Sun Jun 05, 2011 11:11 am

    One inexpensive fix to try is to put washers in the top of the fork tube to increase pre-load.

    You want to use stainless steel washers only for this. I've heard the zinc coated ones can flake and cause problems. I used 4 in each tube of my 230, and then moved it to 6 each when my newphew took over the bike as he was riding more aggressively.

    I forget the size washer exactly, but believe it to be 2 or 2 1/4" OD. Search the topic and you'll find it here.

    It might be enough to get you by until you've decided what better and more permament route to take.
    '12 CRF450X - son
    '09 CRF250X and 2010 F800GS lowered - Wife
    '12 CRF250X and 2012 F800GS - me
  • Old Dude
    Posts: 828
    Joined: Tue Jul 19, 2005 11:34 am

    by Old Dude » Sun Jun 05, 2011 12:08 pm

    Good point dsrpilot. In the interest of service, to not only parfetto99 but to anyone else seeking similar info, here is a link to some good info about the 230 forks. As dsr points out though, this is not a fix but an inexpensive band aid that may help.
    http://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/showth ... rk+preload

    O.D.
    '06 250X: http://crfsonly.com/forum/garage.php?mo ... le&CID=386
    '03 CRF230
    '04 CRF230
    '08 750 Shadow Spirit
    '01 Polaris Sportsman 600
    '03 CRF50
    '04 KLX110
    Kazuma Falcon90
  • Parfetto99
    Posts: 12
    Joined: Sat Jun 04, 2011 9:52 am

    by Parfetto99 » Mon Jun 06, 2011 3:22 pm

    Thanks for the link and advise both of you ive been out and got my stack of washers and a torque wrench so tommorow ill pop those in see if it does the trick till a nice front end appears!! cheeers again lads!!
  • dsrpilot
    Posts: 251
    Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2009 10:12 am

    by dsrpilot » Mon Jun 06, 2011 6:33 pm

    Don't forget to loosen the top 2 triple clamp bolts before loosening the large bolt at the top of the tubes...
    '12 CRF450X - son
    '09 CRF250X and 2010 F800GS lowered - Wife
    '12 CRF250X and 2012 F800GS - me
  • Parfetto99
    Posts: 12
    Joined: Sat Jun 04, 2011 9:52 am

    by Parfetto99 » Wed Jun 08, 2011 9:09 am

    All done went for 6 washers in each will c if it works i can source a cr125 stem and forks would u say this is the best option or another model??
  • Old Dude
    Posts: 828
    Joined: Tue Jul 19, 2005 11:34 am

    by Old Dude » Wed Jun 08, 2011 6:23 pm

    What year CR125? If its a late model (97 or later) you should be able to get an Emig conversion stem. But you will need a front wheel as well. Earlier conventionally configured forks may (probably will) require adapting the stem to work in the 230 frame and you'll need the front wheel.
    Depending on your weight you may need to respring and revalve them. As I said this process can get expensive and is not as simple as it sounds. There is the matter of relocating the rev box, making a steering stop, having to heat the gas tank and reshape the front of it to allow the wider forks to sweep thru their full range of motion. Some have said they were able to use the OEM throttle cable. I couldn't make that happen so had to have MotionPro make a new set...
    Ya gettin the picture as to why the Hliebo revalve and Emulators is such a good deal. BTW Hliebo is also reported to be very good with the 230 forks. Sadly I am not aware of a website for him. Living in California or even just in the U.S. where these services are readily available is a plus. Not sure what the cost of shipping would run you from your locale but still might be the better option when you weigh time, effort and cost involved with the 125 fork conversion.
    O.D.
    '06 250X: http://crfsonly.com/forum/garage.php?mo ... le&CID=386
    '03 CRF230
    '04 CRF230
    '08 750 Shadow Spirit
    '01 Polaris Sportsman 600
    '03 CRF50
    '04 KLX110
    Kazuma Falcon90
  • Parfetto99
    Posts: 12
    Joined: Sat Jun 04, 2011 9:52 am

    by Parfetto99 » Fri Jun 10, 2011 8:58 am

    it is a 97 model i nearly bought lucky for people with knowledge helping me out because once you start someting ur commited and i hate the idear of bodging bits together. Thanks for ur advise its muchly appreciated :D
  • Old Dude
    Posts: 828
    Joined: Tue Jul 19, 2005 11:34 am

    by Old Dude » Fri Jun 10, 2011 3:11 pm

    Its amazing how much info is available thru sites such as this one (and others). I spent more hours than my wife should know researching the 230 front suspension conversion. There is info about converting the rear drum to disc also if that should ever cross your mind. We are always more than happy to share and save you time, money and heartache.
    O.D.
    '06 250X: http://crfsonly.com/forum/garage.php?mo ... le&CID=386
    '03 CRF230
    '04 CRF230
    '08 750 Shadow Spirit
    '01 Polaris Sportsman 600
    '03 CRF50
    '04 KLX110
    Kazuma Falcon90
  • Parfetto99
    Posts: 12
    Joined: Sat Jun 04, 2011 9:52 am

    by Parfetto99 » Fri Jun 10, 2011 4:12 pm

    Thats definately on the agenda disc on back its not what i want to see a drum brake on a 07 bike was hoping what ever donor bike i find can help me with the missing pieces. any chance i can pick ur brains for that advise aswell :o
  • Old Dude
    Posts: 828
    Joined: Tue Jul 19, 2005 11:34 am

    by Old Dude » Fri Jun 10, 2011 5:37 pm

    18 rear wheel, axle spacers and brake system off of a CRF250/450 is the heart of the conversion, uses stock 230 axle spacers and swing arm, modification of the 230 brake peddle. Minor welding (frame, swing arm and brake peddle).
    O.D.
    '06 250X: http://crfsonly.com/forum/garage.php?mo ... le&CID=386
    '03 CRF230
    '04 CRF230
    '08 750 Shadow Spirit
    '01 Polaris Sportsman 600
    '03 CRF50
    '04 KLX110
    Kazuma Falcon90
  • Old Dude
    Posts: 828
    Joined: Tue Jul 19, 2005 11:34 am

    by Old Dude » Fri Jun 10, 2011 5:46 pm

    Heres a picture of the bike. I sold it to my older brother to help pay for my son's college.

    http://www.crfsonly.com/forum/viewtopic ... dinary+230
    O.D.
    '06 250X: http://crfsonly.com/forum/garage.php?mo ... le&CID=386
    '03 CRF230
    '04 CRF230
    '08 750 Shadow Spirit
    '01 Polaris Sportsman 600
    '03 CRF50
    '04 KLX110
    Kazuma Falcon90
  • Parfetto99
    Posts: 12
    Joined: Sat Jun 04, 2011 9:52 am

    by Parfetto99 » Sat Jun 11, 2011 4:20 pm

    HAHA u like giving people bike envy thats how i wish i bought mine dam it!!! got some CR80 forks on ebay do i need the triple trees or do they just slide in???

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