I understand that the Reger Engineering conversion from stock CRF230F forks  uses forks from the CR85R, but which bearing set from what exact model and what year do you press into the CRF230F wheel?  Isn't even the CR85Big Wheel only a 19" front wheel, while the CRF230F wheel is 21"?

And what's the difference, if any, between CR85R and CR85 Expert?

Thanks in advance!

The Reger conversion kit uses a sleeve for the 230 front wheel so that you use the 230 bearings and the CR85 axle. There is no appreciable difference in the CR85 and CR85RB forks as they relate to the conversion you are contemplating. Keep in mind the 85 forks are designed for 16 or 19" front wheels.  Yes the 230 wheel is 21" and there are interference issues with the tire and fender on compression of the forks. I have a 150F with CR85 forks and 21" front wheel using the Reger conversion kit. I am having the forks reworked to help minimize this shortcoming (if you will) of the conversion.  I believe the kit is well worth the price but I will offer you this suggestion... the CR125/250 or XR250 conversion is a better option for the 230.  
ST O.D.

Thanks, STOD!  Too late for me, unless I "start over"--I already have the CR85 forks.  Are you having some kind of travel limiter installed on your forks?  If so, may I ask the details?  Come on, Uncle O.D., spill your secret recipe!

Just to confirm, then:  the wheel bearings used for the converted set-up are the same CRF230F wheel bearings?  There is just a different "sleeve" between the "left and right side" bearings?  Is the "sleeve" pressed into the stock set-up (I don't know the name for it--the place where the larger, stock axle of the CRF230F would run through)?

Edited by calbikeman2, 01 May 2012 - 09:11 AM.

calbikeman2, on 01 May 2012 - 09:06 AM, said:

Yes, you will use your 230 wheel and wheel bearings.  You remove the bearings from one side of the wheel and take out the center sleeve (between the bearings), then put the new sleeve and the wheel bearing back in.  The new sleeve has a smaller inner diameter and lets you use the smaller 85 axle with your 230 wheel.

I put the CR85 forks (re-valved and heavier springs) on my wife's 230 (plus Reger re-valved shock) and it rides very nice!, even with my heavier (195lbs) weight.  I took it out to the woods this weekend and rode it pretty hard all day, and the front wheel only hit the fender 2 times - on rough downhill sections with rocks, roots, and small drops.  The CR85 / CRF150R fender will give you almost 1" more clearance.

Nothing secret to share just going with heavier springs and revalve. Will have the CR85 rear shock done at the same time.
ST O.D.

The CRF150R forks are almost identical to the CR85R forks.  Differences are - the 150R forks are valved for a heavier bike and the 150R uses an axle with the same diameter as the 230F.  My first 230F fork swap was with the CR85R, but I used 150R forks the second time around.  All mods are the same EXCEPT you don't have to replace the center wheel spacer on the 230F wheel.  You do still have to use the kit axle spacers (between the wheel and fork tubes).

http://rickramsey.ne...tm#crf150rforks

Edited by ramz, 01 May 2012 - 07:22 PM.

mdtoney, on 01 May 2012 - 12:19 PM, said:

Yo, mdtoney!  Did you have the CR85/CRF150R front fender on when you rode your wife's 230 this weekend? (experiencing only 2 fender hits?).  So I would just order the CR85/CRF150R fender [what year(s)?] and it would bolt onto my Reger Conversion?

Thanks all you Guys!  terrific input!!!

If there's a next time around, I'll look into the 150R forks!

Edited by calbikeman2, 01 May 2012 - 09:15 PM.

calbikeman2, on 01 May 2012 - 09:14 PM, said:

I believe any year 85 / 150R fender will work.

My wife's 230 still has the 230 fender - her bike has '05 CR85 forks and triple clamps.  My wife still lays her bike down at least once per ride and doesn't want me to buy a new 85 / 150R fender yet because she'll just scratch it up!

I was really surprised that the wheel only hit the fender 2 times all day!  The 85 & 150R have 16" front wheel, and the Expert (big wheel) version has 19" - and their fenders are flat where they bolt onto the triple clamp, so a 21" wheel, a 230 fender, and heavier rider (200+ lbs with gear) did really well considering the abuse it received!  I ride a 450X and I was really impressed with her 230!  A little more power would be nice, but isn't necessary for the woods we ride - I'm 6'1" so give me a taller seat and handlebar, and a little more suspension and I'd be perfectly happy trading my 450X for the 230!!  I'm a little shocked I just said that....

mdtoney, on 02 May 2012 - 09:25 AM, said:

Thanks again.  I'll be lookin hard at an 85/150 fender.  I'm more of a mid-weight rider.  Yep, I've black-diamond-trailed a stock-jetted, stock-suspended CRF230F several times.  You're not going at a race pace, but you do get to where you're going!

I have CR80 USD forks with a 21" Excel rim on a XR200, which is very similar to the CRF150/230.  Couple of points:

1. CR80/85 CRF150R brake rotor is small, need an adapter bracket or use the CR80/85/150R wheel.  I adapted a twin piston XR250 caliper for more braking torque to the CR80 rotor.

2. Fender clearance; Run a metric size low profile tire (no 3.00x21). Cut 3/8" off the four fender mounts. Slide the fork tubes down inside the triple 3/8".  Any Honda fender will fit. On edit: the air cooled fenders are shorter on the back side, make sure you bob a water cooled fender to let cooling air get to the engine.

3. Axles. the 150R and 230 use a 15mm axle, the CR80/85 12mm. The CR80/85/150R use the same hub with a 32mm bearing bore,  the CR80/85 uses a 6201 bearing with a 12mm ID, the 150R uses a 6002 bearing with a 15mm ID.  I converted my CR80 wheel for the 150R axle by swapping out the wheel bearings. The 230 uses a 6202 bearing with a 15mm ID.

4. The cast lug on the bottom of the CR80/85/150R sliders are the same with a product code of "GBF" cast on the side.  The axle lugs are the same OD so you can bore the CR80/85 out to 15mm and use the 150R axle.

5. I've found six difference part numbers for base valves and 11 different part numbers for the mid valve/damper rod; varies by year and R or RB model.

6. Honda fork springs range from .26-.36kg.  I'm running one .36 and one .32 for a .34kg rate. The owners manuals for each model describe the identifiers used to differentiate between springs; e.g. Honda .32kg springs have a notch ground on one end coil.

Edited by chuck4788, 07 May 2012 - 03:11 PM.

Thanks, Chuck4788!!!  This info is platinum!!!