Posts
41
Joined
10/4/2015
Location
Imperial, MO
US
Edited Date/Time
10/26/2015 8:36pm
I'm considering keeping my CR and want to set up the suspension to my weight. I'm 180 and have been looking at racetech's site for the recommended springs and such. I've found a bunch of shocks on eBay and am wondering if any from newer CRF's would work. Or would it be cheaper to just do the spring only and be ok with doing just that?
Also, wanting to do the same for the front forks.
Also, wanting to do the same for the front forks.
I'm assuming you mean CR. I would definitely start with the spring, if you need heavier the spring from the 500 might work and would be cheaper than buying a new one.
The problem with newer shocks is that the valving is designed with the rising rate of the linkage in mind, chances are the rate is different on your 88. You're probably opening a can of worms with that one.
I'd say get the right spring, but also get that old shock serviced with new fluid and replacement of any wear items in there.
I also seem to remember the 88 CR 250 also had some sort of issue with linkage, if you can find an old MXA you can probably find more info on it.
And I did also read that Prb with the linkage, something like the bottom bolt being weak. I doubt mine is bent, but plan to replace it anyway.
You need to know length eye to eye. Width of the clevis and stroke travel.
For example a Honda fortrax 450 shock nearly fits in the 81 cr250. Just about everything lines up except The reservoir rubs a frame rail. If I really wanted to I could put a small dent in the frame rail and it would clear. Then I would have hi/lo compression adjustment and rebound.
The newer shocks offer better coatings and more adjustments over the old stuff.
Shocks and forks aren't rocket science but just take some time to understand how to fiddle with them and work on them. Imo if you can split the cases on a bike you can work on suspension.
Suspension is the only thing I haven't ever torn into myself. But I've done everything else, and I build show, muscle, classic cars myself. I just don't know why taking apart front forks has always scared me. I guess because If I messed them up it meant not having spares laying around to fix, I dunno.
But, I'm still looking for a good way to set this bike up for me, without sending the suspension off.
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