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Only $10 for all 2026 SX, MX, and SMX series.
The guys at motostuff we’re awesome enough to piece together the last “Ti-grey” fastener kit for the plastics, they actually do not make a kit for the 2-stroke CRs so I’ll have to make some modifications to some of the bolts but it shouldn’t be too difficult.
Also I picked up a 2008 CRF450 shock to match my 08 Showa fork. The 08 450 shocks are identical (within 1mm) to the 2003 CR 250 shock in length and stroke of my research is correct. I also have another set of 2008 CRF forks as well.
The plan will be to create a set of what I call “B Plus -Kit” suspension. B kit as you know is stock stuff all ano‘d, coated and valved to be as good as it can.. this stuff will be that but a generation newer from the original stock suspension, so I’m calling it B plus haha. But plan to do all that to the 450 shock and extra fork.
very nice build!
I'd be curious to know how does the Rad Valve performs compared to the Vforce 3...
BTW, you guys are talking about pipes, and here the HGS are pretty popular indeed.
But, any of you already tried the english pipes DEP on a 250 CR?
Can't find any review and if it works as well on the CR than on the YZ it would be a great product!
Thanks!
Here is a race at Mammoth in 2016 with a guy on a 2003 CR2 I believe with Varner engine mods. He almost got the hole shot against a KX500 & was able to stay with him & beat him towards the end. If I recall he won both motos that day battling against the guy on the KX500. Very impressive !
You can try these US distributors below.
https://www.jdracingignition.com/north-america
I got lucky in 05 as I got the last 03 JD ign. with a PC map to compliment their engine specs..
The Shop
DeCal Works Huge Plastic Inventory of UFO and Polisport kits.
Luxon 4-Post Bar Mounts
$189.95 - $239.95
Free shipping: VITALMX
I had a Vforce on my KTM (apples to oranges comparison sorta, also no pun intended...) I didn’t notice much of a gain with the Vforce on the KTM anywhere, I was actually disappointed because of that.
As for the DEP I have heard the same, top end gain but not much gain elsewhere. But I don’t have any personal experience with one.
It is very potent, but manageable power that revs quickly through the rpm’s when hammering the throttle.
From my conversations with Terry his mods will add noticeable gains from low-mid with a little on top. His mods seem to focus more in the low-mid since the 02-04 already have excellent topend power with the oem porting specs..
It really depends on where you want the power to be like you mentioned.
The Watts 05-07 CR2 mods are very good as well. In comparison on the 07 engine with an fmf fatty & Keihin carb it also has a broad strong powerband like the PC mods on the 03.
The differences are the 07 feels a tad stronger in the mid range without the overrev of the 03.
Phil actually just sent me the mikuni tmx carb (shorter version) with the TPS that came on the 04-07 models. I also picked up an HGS pipe for it I’ll be testing combined with the mikuni.
I’m not a fan of the fmf fatty on the CR case reed engine as I feel it adds in the mid at the sacrifice on top. The mikuni also provides better topend power from my experience on the 03 vs. the Keihin.
I believe the engine has some hidden ponies up top do to it being restricted with the carb & pipe not allowing it to breathe better up top.
Hopefully in a month or so I’ll get around to doing the changes, but it is a very good package as well. The draw back as you know he is no longer in business.
The HGS pipe w TMX on that engine sounds interesting. We agree that the top end and over-rev on the 05-07 is flatter than the earlier case reed engines, but the mid range punch is nice.
Find a combo that keeps good roll-on acceleration with the nice 05-07 mid punch while simultaneously allowing more of a screaming top end and you'll have a winner!
Back in the mid to late 80’s I ran a divider plate on my Weiand aluminum high rise intake manifold (Chevy small blocks) to get better low-mid rpm power.
It helped to atomize the fuel & disperse it more evenly through the intake ports in the lower rpm range. I’m thinking that is Ron’s goal on his mod with the divider plate.
I haven’t taken the engine apart, but I was told Chad converts the 05-07 engine from a domed to a flat top piston. The cyl. head is reshaped to accommodate the flat top piston which I think is the same one as the 02-04 models.
To your point I think that is what he was trying to accomplish (maybe HRC similar specs ?) with the roll on - mid range power of the 05-07 & topend overrev of the 02-04. This is why I believe there is some hidden power to be had in the upper range.
Will be interesting to hear your test/comparison results.
Pit Row
oem bolt/washer/nut for clutch perch
Oem clutch push rod
New clutch cable but think it may have been tusk (identical to cable on there before, which is believed to be oem)
We have tried to put ball bearing at the end of push rod, but that makes things way too tight and does not work.
Anyone else have clutch issues like this with the 2003 cr250
As for the clutch, its definitely the cable. I put a Works Connection clutch perch on mine and replaced the OEM cable with a Motion pro one and ended up with a SUPER stuff pull. I reached out to WC and they said to replace with an OEM cable.... and what do you know its perfect. I think 1 mm to long or short can really affect the leverage ratios and fitment.
Try the OEM one ( I got mine from Motosport.com) I think it'll take care of your issue.
Before:
After:
I do plan to upgrade to a newer 2005-2009 CRF swing arm in the future though.
List of updates:
2017 Front brake master cylinder/caliper
OEM pads
Core Steel beaded line
A.R.C. Composite lever w/ CNC knuckle
One off "grey" color HRC Replica Clevis
Slider/brake guide hardware
TMD billet rear caliper carier
New Sprockets
PC Axle blocks
MX33 rubber
Vetrex Top end
New clutch cable
power valve cable mod (replacing spring side with non-spring)
All new gaskets throughout engine
05-07 base gasket
Bud Rad hose kit
Factory Connection shock revalve/build (not installed)
Full Parts/mods List -
- Dunlop MX33s
- Excel takasago/rims plus billet hub
- Cycra rotor guard
- Motostuff 280mm blade rotor kit
- 2017 Nissin CRF front caliper/master cyl. W/ PC front brake lever
- Core 2.5mm Steel braided brake line
- 2008 CRF Showa 47mm Twin Tube forks, valve/spring by Factory connection
- Ride Engineering 22mm billet CR clamps, red
- 2003 UFO OEM replica plastics
- DocWob HRC replica inverted front plate
- Throttle Jockey 2008 HRC replica seat cover
- custom graphics based off 2003 OEM, designed by me, printed by Revive Print
- ODI 1 1/8th bar mounts
- ODI podium flight bar, McGrath bend
- ODI Emig V2 grips, grey
- FMF factory fatty/powercore2 exhaust
- Boysen exh manifold
- Wiseco top end, 05 OEM base gasket
- original OEM bottom end
- Boysen Rad valve reed block
- Lectron carburetor
- 05-07 OEM air boot
- MX Bonz airboot seal kit
- Twin Air filter
- Bud Racing rad hose kit
- Pro-Peg Titanium foot pegs
- Works connection clutch perch
- WC brake reservoir covers
- Motosport.com, almost all new OEM bolts, axles, etc.. throughout entire bike
- Spec Bolt engine fastener kit
- misc. M8/M6 Titanium bolts and nuts in silver and blue
- Motostuff billet alloy grey faster kit
- ProTaper sprockets, 13-49t
- DID ERT3 chain
- Custom wire harness/ Electronics relocation W/ custom bracket
- Ride Engineering kill switch
- TM Design Wrks Billet R. Brake caliper carrier, black
- HRC replica brake Clovis, 1 of a kind Ano grey
- Hinson clutch cover
- ProTaper SELA holeshot device
- Ride Engineering rimlock kit
-modified throttle housing
-black cable guides
- misc billet washers
Thanks for checking it out guys! I still have a few more things I want to do to it but for now I'm just going to go spin some laps on it and enjoy it.
Post a reply to: 2003 CR250r Frame up resto-mod