CR Vs CRF fork question

tzmike
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tzmike
anyone able to tell me if 05-08 CRF250 (spring)forks are a direct bolt on for a 07 CR250R smoker ?
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15tc150
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15tc150 6/5/2019 7:16pm
6/5/2019 7:16pm
There are two advantages to these forks for 2 strokes, weight, fork dropout offset, there's zero bad about swapping the crf forks over, it all positive, about 1.5lbs less per leg, and it helps turn in and changing directions as it removes a lot of weight in the top of the forks. Axle drop outs changed and brought the axle back 2mm, pretty much giving the feeling of adding 22mm triples, but keeping the good 24mm offset, to keep the turning sharp and quick.


Dooooo eeiiiiitt
H4L
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H4L 6/6/2019 7:12am
6/6/2019 7:12am
In 2005 Honda did the same thing to the CR250r front axle & pulled it back 2mm. Have 07 CR250r forks that feel basically the same as 12 CRF250r forks on 3rd gen AF CR250 2t's. Both suspension sets have been done by FC..
15tc150
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15tc150 6/6/2019 9:32am
6/6/2019 9:32am
Identical forks except for settings, now 05 was the strange year, they added 5mm to the top of the fork to run the optional 20" front rim, but nobody went with it, so they removed the top 5mm, that line on the 05's is where the 21" wheel should be run, an the 06-08 forks didn't have this, so if you get 05's that line is where they should be started at, and then change to suit preference
H4L
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H4L 6/6/2019 6:10pm
6/6/2019 6:10pm
15tc150 wrote:
Identical forks except for settings, now 05 was the strange year, they added 5mm to the top of the fork to run the optional 20" front...
Identical forks except for settings, now 05 was the strange year, they added 5mm to the top of the fork to run the optional 20" front rim, but nobody went with it, so they removed the top 5mm, that line on the 05's is where the 21" wheel should be run, an the 06-08 forks didn't have this, so if you get 05's that line is where they should be started at, and then change to suit preference
I think you're thinking of the 01 CR250 ? The 05-07 are pretty much the same bike minus the BNG's from what I recall.
Purchased a brand new 01 CR2 in the spring of that yr. & remember having an option for a 20" frt. wheel.

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15tc150
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15tc150 6/6/2019 7:24pm
6/6/2019 7:24pm
Honda did it for the one year in 05 thinking it might have a little bit of revival, but I don't think anyone was into buying another front rim and a harder to find 20" front tire, but your bang in with the 01 cr250r one year option, I bought one of nick wey's 05 mdk cr250r and it had the crf forks in it, that's how I came across the swap, and they have the 5mm extensions of the fork legs, and i litterally just picked up an 05 crf450r and it has those extra 5mm on them as well, strange that Honda would try it again, but air forks made a come back from the 90's mountainbike scene, but I don't see that lasting much longer either lol. I'll snap a few pics of my 05 crf forks for this when I get back to my house tomorrow, I don't have any good shots of them at the moment, and I think max even said something about the forks being changed in 06, but I'm vague on recalling it exactly, but pretty darn sure I did read it somewhere. The suspension in that 05 mdk cr250r was nutts stiff, as nick wey was one of the last guys on a 2 stroke in 05 in aupercross, the 450 wasnt ready, and he commented that he felt more comfortable on the 2 stroke than trying to learn the 4 stroke in such a short period of time, but in outdoors he was on the 450 for the 05 season
15tc150
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15tc150 6/6/2019 9:21pm
6/6/2019 9:21pm
I just took a look at your cr250r, Lordy that things gorgeous! I'm planning on getting the 2017 restyle kit for my 450, and once it pops, I'm planning on finding a (hopefully 99) cr250 to transplant the engine into the frame.
H4L
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H4L 6/6/2019 9:26pm
6/6/2019 9:26pm
15tc150 wrote:
Honda did it for the one year in 05 thinking it might have a little bit of revival, but I don't think anyone was into buying...
Honda did it for the one year in 05 thinking it might have a little bit of revival, but I don't think anyone was into buying another front rim and a harder to find 20" front tire, but your bang in with the 01 cr250r one year option, I bought one of nick wey's 05 mdk cr250r and it had the crf forks in it, that's how I came across the swap, and they have the 5mm extensions of the fork legs, and i litterally just picked up an 05 crf450r and it has those extra 5mm on them as well, strange that Honda would try it again, but air forks made a come back from the 90's mountainbike scene, but I don't see that lasting much longer either lol. I'll snap a few pics of my 05 crf forks for this when I get back to my house tomorrow, I don't have any good shots of them at the moment, and I think max even said something about the forks being changed in 06, but I'm vague on recalling it exactly, but pretty darn sure I did read it somewhere. The suspension in that 05 mdk cr250r was nutts stiff, as nick wey was one of the last guys on a 2 stroke in 05 in aupercross, the 450 wasnt ready, and he commented that he felt more comfortable on the 2 stroke than trying to learn the 4 stroke in such a short period of time, but in outdoors he was on the 450 for the 05 season
Ok. I thought we were talking about the CR2 2t Showa forks.
Interesting to hear you bought a Nick Wey MDK 05 CR250r. I almost bought one of his bikes out of the San Jose MDK location. I missed out since I didn't pull the trigger fast enough.
BTW - Owned a new 05 CRF450r & also purchased low hr. 06 & 08 models. I couldn't really tell a difference in the handling dept.. Honda also tilted the engine on the 06 a few mm's forward to help with turning, but they felt similar as well. I prefered the engine power characteristic on the 05 & 06 over the 08. The 08 felt like it was detuned with a heavy fly wheel weight & the top end having a flat feel to it. Most of the feel was due to the new redesigned head oem porting specs along with new mapping & gear position sensor.
15tc150
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15tc150 6/6/2019 10:14pm
6/6/2019 10:14pm
My bad on the missconception Smile the 05/06's had the better flowing head, and I know I'm gonna have to take care of the valves. I'm lucky though, this thing starts effortlessly hot or cold, but that won't last much longer :/ plan is a mild build, get the head taken care of with a good valve grind, maybe a cam for a bit more top end, and I'd really like to find a 41mm carb out of the 07/08 450r, I think then, it would be decently reliable with just regular maintenance, and make plenty enough power, cuz as it sits, some people tell me it's a fire breather of a bike, but in all honesty, it's the easiest bike I have ever thrown a leg over, my buddy let me ride his 08, and it was a big friendly giant. Plus I was hoping someone was gonna say that the 06 engine relocation didn't really change much, as I loved how my buddy's 08 handled, felt like I had owned it for my entire life, like an old shoe that's just a perfect fit kinda thing, and I hope that my 05 would be the same feel, and any suggestions for an exhaust, Im leaning towards a mega bomb with a q pipe, it has this gigantic huge muffler on it now that's almost the same length as the rear fender and it's loud as fuck, but a bit of experienced insight would be rad! Sorry for jackin up the thread! Slowcr, again, your bike is disgustingly clean! Hope my 450 looks as good as your bike once I'm done

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