Hey guys. Just bought a 2005 CRF450X today. Absolutely box stock. Been garaged in AZ. It's in near showroom condition with just a few scratches on plastics. Seller said it had been ridden a couple dozen times. However, it sat a couple of years with gas in it and he said he had to de-gunk the tank and carb. Bike starts, idles, and runs ok, but not as well as my other bikes. First thing I'm going to do is dissassemble and re-clean the carb and tank again.

Just ordered the JD jetting kit. Also ordered an aftermarket fuel screw and AP diaphram rebuild kit. I'll derestrict the muffler and airbox before re-jetting. Eventually, I'd like to put on an FMF Powerbomb header and Powercore muffler on it. August 2010 issue of Dirt Bike had examples of CRF450X dyno curves showing improvement from 3500 - 10000 rpm.

Air cleaner element needs cleaning, I'll replace the plug and I'll change the oil before riding it. This is the first bike that I have had with separate transmission and engine oil. Been using Rotella T 15W-40 oil in my WR250F. Do you guys run different types of oil in the engine and transmission?

I've only ridden it briefly, but even the stock motor acceleration is a blast relative to my 250F. I don't think I'll be any faster on the trails, but I'll be grinning more!

I would buy a new air cleaner and the 2005 has a dodgy gear which benefits from 950ml of oil in the transmission side (don't worry!!! its a known gearbox saving issue and causes no problems)

I'm sure the other guys will chip in with more info for you

Ian

Sofiedog, you are on the right track. 1liter oil in the tranny. Use up the Rotella, then go to Honda HP4 for the motor and Honda Red Bottle for the Tranny. Or Rotella 3000 for both. Get a Merge Racing Accelerator Pump linkage spring also, and a 50 leak jet for the carb, and you will be golden.

Quote

Thx for the advice.
Got the air filter out. It was dirty. Cleaned it and the inside of the airbox with PJ1 cleaner and then used PJ1 foam spray on the filter. Filter glue joints are still holding together, probably because it had so few rides and cleanings?
I'll use it for a couple of rides and replace it anyway. I was shocked to feel how heavy the metal backfire screen and nylon frame are, over 1/2 lb! Been running the No-Toil Super Flo Kit in my WR250F for a year and been happy with it. It has a lightweight plastic frame without a metal backfire screen. The inside of the filter foam is claimed to be flame retartdent. I'm going to do the same for the CRF450X. It's lighter and may help it breathe better.

welcome to the addiction

The 05 is a great bike, I am in the process of adding some power in the right places.  Sounds like you are on the right track.  Listen to Krannie he knows his stuff.

Drained and flushed radiator and overflow tank today. Fluid looked old, but ok, nothing too odd, a few tiny flakes floated to the top. Refilled with 50-50 mix of Prestone and distilled water.
Girlfriend came over last night to look at the bike and said the stock muffler was ugly and had to go. (She has a Pro Circuit T4 on her CRF230F).
Went ahead and ordered the FMF Ti Powercore Muffler while I'm waiting for the JD jetting kit. Figured if I was going to go through the trouble of re-jetting, I wouldn't have to tweak it again after I got the muffler and I wouldn't have to spend the time cutting the stock muffler insert. It'll sound good, run well, look good, and be a couple pounds lighter. Can't beat that.
Should have the parts by next weekend to start wrenching.

Forget Krannie !  Follow the G/Fs mod's list !    Anything ugly absolutely HAS to go !

...like all that stock white plastic ?  Yeuuck !  Carbon fiber is WAY sexier !  

She'll love you long time when you get 'er all dressed up !  

Trust me, you'll be riding it faster than the WR250 ( ...as well as enjoying it more).  Pretty easy to predict that one.

My other "must have" recommendations:

-  Steering dampner

-  Fork bleeders

-  Front light protection

-  Radiator protection

-  Frame guards (sexy CF ones)

- AM Clutch cover (Recluse/Pro Circuit etc; Adds volume - Looks sexy)

- I went one up (15T) on the C/S sprocket for desert riding; Not sure where you ride. WHERE DO YOU RIDE ?  

-  Krannie had a footpeg mod that makes sense (keeps the brake lever from poking the clutch side cover); I don't fall so I didn't do it.

-  Get the girl off the CRF230 and on the (seat and link lowered) WR  - She'll thank you, (and you'll thank me) one-ride later

Congratulations !

X-Racer said:

Thought you would be leading the pack?
Or too many trips over the bars?

Welcome Sofiedog.
Enjoy the ride.

X-Racer said:

Get some help........quick.

DezRacer:  Yes !   The light guard is for him.   I don't follow.

As for Krannie's comments.  You don't collect 8,776 posts if you have something else to ride when you're not riding your bike.   

..and yes !  The brake pedal mod !  Sorry... I don't use either.  * flying "W" imitation *  Wheeeeeee.....

X-Racer said:

You seem to have a pretty big mouth.
If you have a problem with me, TALK DIRECTLY TO ME.
Don't' insult me second hand. Have the guts to say it to me.

Careful what you say on TT forums: you might get banished.

You need to read the Forum rules.

You seem to do more than three posts a day, so what's your excuse?

I'm sorry...  I could have sworn it was you who told me I needed "help quick" for describing bike parts as "Sexy".  

That was you correct ?  Just askin....

So it's okay for you to insult (albeit in jest I assume - but I don't really know) by telling me I need help, but you take offense to response in an also jestful comment ?  

Maybe you were just being your helpful self and I didn't see it.  

I didn't think about it until now, but maybe I do need help.  

Sorry...   * raise right hand *  I promise to be more sensitive to others feelings and use less connotative adjectives to describe bike parts.

Changed oil today. Tranny side had a liter in it. It was a little old and had a few tiny metal flakes in it. I refilled it with 1 liter of Rotella T 15W-40. Checked engine oil level before changing. It was safely between upper and lower marks on dipstick, and again, a little old. No visible metal particles in oil. :thumbsup:Refilled engine side with 700 ml of Motul 5100 semi-synth 10W-40.
JD jetting kit and diaphragm rebuild kit arrived. Still waiting on FMF Ti Powercore and will also derestrict airbox before rejetting.

Sounds like you are on the right path.

mxscotty said:

Krannie said:

Is 950-1000 ml okay for the 2006 450X tranny as well as the 2005?

GOTTAROOST said:

They are all the same.

Spent the day wrenching on the 450X today. Removed snorkel and added a few holes in top of airbox (see pic in garage). Removed the tank and drained the gas. Replaced the nylon tank filter. It was missing and the previous owner gave me the part. Not sure it went in right. Does it need adhesive or is it just a friction fit in the hole in the bottom of the tank? Also, installed ne in-line fuel filter.
Replaced spark plug. Old one came out easily, nice tan color, no issues.
Removed the stock muffler. It was ~8.5lbs! Weighed new FMF Ti Powercore slip-on at only 4.75lbs!
Removed carb, disassembled and cleaned. Blew out all passages with carb cleaner spray. Removed old fuel screw. It was missing the small washer and the o-ring had a small tear. Removed old needle jet. It was an NCVU with clip at 2nd position from top. Removed stock #70 leak jet. No issues.
Per JD kit, selected red needle with clip at 4th position from top (middle). I ride at 3000 - 4000 ft in warm / hot temps (Tucson, AZ).
Removed original #142 main jet. No issues. Installed JD kit recommended #162 main jet.
Removed original #70 leak jet (no issues) and replaced with #50 leak jet.
Inspected accel pump diaphagm parts. Replaced o-rings, but diaphragm looked ok. I have new re-build kit from CRF's only, but didn't install, yet. Also, didn't add accelerator pump o-ring mod, yet. Still haven't gotten Merge Racing spring.
Took out stock #45 pilot jet. It may have had an obstruction in it. I blew it out with carb spray and it looked better.
Went to DMV yesterday and got a plate and OHV sticker. $33.75 total. Very easy in AZ. No emmisions or vehicle inspection required. Got minimum AZ liability insurance, $16 per year, so I can test ride on streets and ride between trails.
Installed new FMF Ti Powercore muffler. (see pic in garage) Fit and finish were good and it went on easily.
Didn't have much time to test ride. Took it out on some unpopulated roads near my house, briefly. A little difficult to start. May need richer pilot for my altitude and temp? Running it 3 turns out. (was over 100F today)
Not sure #50 leak feels right. Might be too much for my alt & temp? Need to ride and tweak more to assess main, needle position, leak, and pilot.
Pipe is loud when accelerating. I may get Quietcore insert for it.

Edited by Sofiedog, 02 July 2011 - 05:23 PM.
Additional info

I recall the gas filter screen assembly having two small bolts at the bottom of the tank and the apparatus sits under an o-ring(no adhesive). You can always pull up the microfiche to get the right part numbers.

Don't use carb cleaner since it will mess up the carb's gaskets.

At three turns out on the fuel screw, you risk the fuel screw vibrating loose and falling out. You should consider cleaning the pilot out again. They're hard to clean and it's sometimes easier to just get a new one.

Sounds like you're on the right track with some nice mods.

Thx for the advice.

The metal "fuel joint" is held into the bottom of the tank with two screws and sealed with an o-ring. Owners manual shows the fuel filter attached to the fuel joint. Is it held on with an adhesive? I can't see any way to secure it.

I blew out all the carb passages and jets with Gumout Carb and Choke Cleaner spray with tube in nozzel. Worked well. I like to use inexpensive STP Gas Treatment in red bottle as a solvent to wipe off carb parts with a rag. I didn't "soak" any of the parts in carb cleaner, so I don't think any of the O-rings were damaged. I've used this method in the past and haven't noticed any long term effects.

Stock #45 pilot jet was clear when I cleaned it and re-installed it. I went ahead and ordered a #48 to try. I'll take your advice and re-inspect the pilot to see if something is partially blocking it. I have noticed that a number of riders have increased the size of their pilot jet after de-restricting, so I'll try it.

Finally, had a chance to take the bike out on the dirt this morning. Checked spokes. All ok. Tires still in good shape. Rear had 20 psi and front 16psi. Lowered both to 15psi.

Holy Cow!!! After the shock wore off, I was grinning ear-to-ear!!!

On my WR250F, I can break the rear wheel loose at any time. However, on the 450X, I had to focus on not letting it break loose! Roll-on throttle acceleration was crisp and stupid fast!!! Of course, I'm still running the stock gearing. No issues with accel pump with #50 leak jet, even without Merge spring or o-ring mod. I think I'll add the o-ring mod next weekend when I swap out the pilot jet.

I also ordered the No-Toil Super Flo air filter without the backfire screen. I may kick up the main jet size from the #162 to the #165 after further de-restricting.
I'm still considering swapping an FMF Quitecore insert for the basic spark arrester to quieten it a bit.

Edited by Sofiedog, 04 July 2011 - 10:48 AM.