CRF250F Crf250f suspension upgrade to inverted forks

[Jimmy Stanton]

The suspension on this bike sucks, otherwise i love this bike to death. Super low maintenance, has enough power for me, but when im hitting big jumps I bottom out hard. I can still send it but my back is killing me. Especially when I am spending all day riding single track, the bike beats the crap out of me. Before everyone tells me to buy a 250R etc. etc. I will tell you why I love this bike:

Its quiet as hell. I trespass so I don't want to draw attention to myself.

Super low maintenance, Ive put on 60 hours on it the past month an a half and hope tp get at least 100 on it by the end of the season. She still runs mint and not much i've had to do to it.

Perfect amount of power. I don't need a 40 hp bike, I don't race but there's still plenty of power. Sure I cant keep up with race bikes on the tracks but I have no problem clearing big jumps.

Easy bike to share. I have friends and family come by and Its a bike I dont feel too concerned with letting them ride.

With inverted forks and a rear suspension upgrade, this bike would be a woods weapon. Is there any companies that offer any kind of retroffitting, or if the stem is similar to a 230f and I could use some parts from that swap. Im not interested in upgrading the springs on the forks, they suck.

I love this bike but after a day of riding I can feel the pain. I whipped my buddies 250rx around for the day and it felt like I was driving a couch, so smooth.

Appreciate the help if anyone can point me to the right direction. Cheers.

[GavMac78]

It's a new bike.  Not sure anyone has opted to fit up USD forks just yet.  By all means, you can be the first.  Seems like it took some decent trial and error with the 230.

That said, and this being your first post.  Most of the guys here on the 150/230/250 use http://brucessuspension.net/ for suspension upgrades.  For about $100 he will modify your damper rods and cut your springs specific to your weight and riding.  This is a significant improvement at a very low price.  For the rear, he sells a Hagon shock, just under $600 (I think).  It is one only a few options and definitely the cheapest.  I don't even know if there is another option for the 250f, maybe Racing Brothers.  And again, it makes a significant improvement.  I don't jump my 230, only trail ride.  It's not "couch" but I definitely don't feel beat up after a hard day of riding.

[Max Farrell]

I got a 05 150f in 5”6 175 it’ll I did was swap out the rare factory spring for a BBR spring they make them for the front forks too but I did not want it that stiff so all I did was run a little bit heavier weight oil in the front forks and I stacked a couple of washers on each side on top of the springs before I close the cap you could always add more and take some out depending on how you want to ride to feel 

[adnohguy]

34 minutes ago, GavMac78 said:

It's a new bike.  Not sure anyone has opted to fit up USD forks just yet.  By all means, you can be the first.  Seems like it took some decent trial and error with the 230.

That said, and this being your first post.  Most of the guys here on the 150/230/250 use http://brucessuspension.net/ for suspension upgrades.  For about $100 he will modify your damper rods and cut your springs specific to your weight and riding.  This is a significant improvement at a very low price.  For the rear, he sells a Hagon shock, just under $600 (I think).  It is one only a few options and definitely the cheapest.  I don't even know if there is another option for the 250f, maybe Racing Brothers.  And again, it makes a significant improvement.  I don't jump my 230, only trail ride.  It's not "couch" but I definitely don't feel beat up after a hard day of riding.

Agreed + 1 

Bruce Tripplet  Suspension is by far the best option. There is no other nicest man to talk to or to do business with. 

[GavMac78]

38 minutes ago, Max Farrell said:

BBR spring

I looked at those as well.  But a search on this forum explained why they are not much better than the stocker.  

 

Here is some helpful info.  Might save you some time for questions you might have or waiting for replies.

The search function is not very user friendly. I've found this to be helpful. Try this - Open the TT forum to the 150/230/250 page. Click on the search bar. A drop down menu should appear. Click on "This Forum". Then type your keywords and hit search. This will limit you results to just this forum. 

[GavMac78]

44 minutes ago, Max Farrell said:

run a little bit heavier weight oil in the front forks and I stacked a couple of washers on each side

I had a similar idea when I first got my bike but after searching and reading about options, I went with Bruce.  It was totally worth the minimal cost for the damper rods and spring mod.

 

[ramz]

Check it out:

https://rickramsey.net/CRF250Fmods.htm#suspension

 

Works for me 

[Chuck.]

I've been trail riding and competing with dirt bikes since the late 60 so have a lot of experience with all types of suspension.  First off for a beginner or novice rider stock suspension will be just fine, adjust you riding style and ride.

Next step is improving OEM damper rod forks and cheap shocks; again don't go overboard because all you need for suspension travel is 10". And you can make damper rod forks work very good which is why Bruce does so much work.  I put 84 XR250R front end on a 90 XR200R and they were so plush on trails I wondered why I had bothered with USD forks on my 01.

If you decide to go cartridge forks, either conventional or USD,  stay with the 10-11" of travel because that works the best for trail riding. Have said that my fav off road bike has RM cartridge forks but they are overkill for most riding.

OEM non reservoir shocks are OEM cheap and there are better options. This forum has a lot of info.

 

[Baja runner]

Would not be difficult to use xr400 forks like we use. Much better on trail bike then USD fork . I don't know eye to eye length 250f. Could be that one model xr shock fits. Bruce does great job and little money to mod fork . It's still a 1986 type fork with mods . Since I feel we have perfected the 230 . The 250f could be same 

 

 

 

 

 

[RedMesa]

On 7/18/2021 at 11:05 PM, Jimmy Stanton said:

With inverted forks

Step-by-step installs of CRF150RB (inverted) and then a year later XR400R forks (conventional) are here with lots of pix and specs

http://bit.ly/2gMezcr

Note "The XR400 fork conversion bearing relocating adapter" developed in 2020 is a game-changer

Edited July 30, 2021 by RedMesa

[RedMesa]

On 7/21/2021 at 8:27 AM, Baja runner said:

Would not be difficult to use xr400 forks like we use.

The XR400 forks are exceptional but it is a very large project for most riders.

After reading the latest by @ramz linked above, I would do his mods and keep them for a couple riding seasons before even considering a fork swap. Avoid solving a limitation that you don't have if there is a simpler solution.

(Says the guy who spent huge money and hours on first a CRF150RB swap then a XR400R swap.)

Most riders are very happy with the Tripplett mods (me included for several years) and the value / ease of install is very high compared to a fork swap.

Edited July 30, 2021 by RedMesa

[Max Farrell]

31 minutes ago, RedMesa said:

Step-by-step installs of CRF150RB (inverted) and then a year later XR400R forks (conventional) are here with lots of pix and specs

http://bit.ly/2gMezcr

Note "The XR400 fork conversion bearing relocating adapter" developed in 2020 is a game-changer

I’m going to need to read this I looked at the link thank you I’m definitely going to looking in to that front end 

[RedMesa]

1 minute ago, Max Farrell said:

I’m going to need to read this I looked at the link thank you I’m definitely going to looking in to that front end 

You bet, and please see new post just before yours

[Max Farrell]

11 minutes ago, RedMesa said:

You bet, and please see new post just before yours

See this is why I made an account on this form lol I’m slowly trying to get the bike back to riding I rebuild the thing last year got hit 0ct21st was down for almost 8months these pass two months I just been ordering everything I need to get it back spec not missing parts I do wanna update the suspension I don’t have no problems with the factory ones that’s on there after I did the more modifications to it I have never once bottomed out the bike and I hit some pretty good jumps on it just need to land on the back wheel lol I remember my childhood days a landing on the front wheel with forks like this

Edited July 30, 2021 by Max Farrell

[CaQCRider]

Xr4 fork hard to beat in many condition!?

[Chuck.]

Be careful when buying used forks or shocks:

Most early XR forks are damper rod, and cartridge forks went thru several generations of improvement. A good full cartridge fork will have rebound and compression clickers, a lot of forks out here have only one clicker. The XR400 forks are much better than similar late XR250R forks. And early MX USD cartridge forks are terrible for trail riding, even the latest MX USD forks need serious revalving for trail riding. e.g. The Showa 47 closed chamber cartridge forks come in several flavors that all look the same, but the internal differences are significant between the MX and Enduro versions. Been there done that and I won't do that again. In the Showa 47 used on Hondas the color of the plastic ring around the clicker indicates the internal components and valving, one problem is the colors sun fade.
Mini bike USD forks are a good option for several reasons; lighter weight, not as rigid as larger USDs which is good for trail riding, and readily avail. The Showa 37 USDs are used on 96+ CR80/85 and CRF150R, lots of valve changes and a few other part number changes thru the years. And the CRF150R uses a 15mm axle which can be accommodated with a bearing change, same casting on the slider just a larger hole for the axle. The 15mm axle does improve steering so I recommend it.  The brake rotor is smaller so an adapter will be needed for the 230/250 caliper, which I recommend because a 21" front wheel overwhelms the mini bike caliper.

Most any fork conversion will require a steering stem change to adapt because Honda uses a variety of different steering head length but washers and spacers can also be used. The other problem is steering head bearings but the good news is almost all steel frame off road Hondas use the same bearings. The alum frames use larger bearings, a part fiche search can be your friend.

Shocks have also gone thru similar developments over the years but also internal damping is designed for the linkage ratio and spring rate.  And XRs have much difference linkage ratios than other bikes, but the linkage is mostly above the swing arm and protected. But the biggest problem with other shocks is the center to center lengths won't match that for your bike. That changes ride height and front end geometry. The XR linkage ratio at full extension is almost 4:1 which results in a 1/4" difference in c-c distance will change ride height by about 1". The CRF linkage ratio is much less but a similar problems exists.  

Some conversions are easier than others and there is a lot of good info in this and other Honda forums on fork and shock conversions that do work, so do some searching.

[Baja runner]

I can report our many years of mods to cr85/150r fork . Added to great info from Chuck . We set up three sets of cr85/150r forks . Look cool and do have fork flex you need on trail bike. There was no cost barred open check book . Our machine shop work custom and never done before mods. Our riding very different I Believe then in states . Hi speed rough dirt rode too much fork flex. We got forks ok after over 700 bucks in mods . No labor just parts  except we would still bottom them out . If we made them stiffer then not plush . Light years over stock 230 fork with mods . Since I had 6 sets of xr400 forks in garage storage. We modded the stem  just to try them xr4 front wheel . Bone stock 20 year old oil in fork . Bingio for our tight single track and hi speed rough dirt road . Now all our 230s have xr4 fork. Even my spare 230 with 150f wheels . I would strongly recommend go that route on 250f. Want headache go with 12in travel usd mx forks. Again special thanks to Chuck that . Helped us with valve spec on cr85/150r fork . With his help they where much improved . Still no match for xr4 fork yes they are few pounds heavier then cr85 fork. Ahh you want your bike to handle do worry about few pounds .I have also stated the xr fork overwhelmed the fox shock . Now that is saying something

 

[FlamingHomerSexual]

On 7/31/2021 at 11:08 AM, Chuck. said:

Most any fork conversion will require a steering stem change to adapt because Honda uses a variety of different steering head length but washers and spacers can also be used. The other problem is steering head bearings but the good news is almost all steel frame off road Hondas use the same bearings. The alum frames use larger bearings, a part fiche search can be your friend.

I came across an ad for a CRF 250F for sale that had a CRf 450R swap on it.  He used bearings (sv 650 swap?) for the steering stem.

I don't know enough about bikes to ask great questions, but he did give me a decent answer that I'll try to post at some point about what he did and what issues he ran into.

[bajatrailrider]

[bajatrailrider]

I have thousands of miles on my 250f . XR 400 forks xr350r shock  bike works super. All that have rode it love it . We have one 250f  damper mods stock fork hagon shock. Save your money  it does not work good .